By communing with our innermost selves in a state of loving kindness, we not only feel better and raise our self esteem, we also harness the Law of Attraction to magnetize fulfilling relationships with companions who adore us and resonate with our authentic essence.

Self-love is a truly wise investment. Read on to discover 5 techniques to cultivate self-love with simple, easy meditations.

#1: Tune Into Your Essence

Sitting up straight and in a comfortable position, close your eyes and bring your awareness into your heart space. Watch your breath, and with an attitude of curiosity and inward affection, begin to explore and sense your own essence. Keep yourself company. Commune with your soul. Notice what you feel like.

#2: Send In the Sweetness

Sitting comfortably with your eyes closed, bring awareness to your heart and watch your breath, in and out, until you feel calm. Then put one hand on your heart and gently send the emotion of approval with affection inwardly. Sit with this beautiful sweet energy as long as feels good.

#3: Loving Gaze

Stand in front of a mirror with your eyes open. Put a gentle smile on your face and gaze lovingly into your eyes, wishing yourself well. Feel the affection you have for yourself. Receive it deeply into your heart, and linger.

#4: Loving Touch

For this exercise, your eyes can be open or closed. Once again place your hand on your heart and send gentle affection and love inwards. Then, take your hand and spread the energy of sweetness, gently caressing your opposite arm from shoulder to fingertip, and then switch hands and do your other arm. You can sweep the love energy all over your body as feels right for you. Notice how good this feels!

#5: Bubble of Love

Close your eyes and place a hand on your heart, sending affection inwards, as you have done before. Use your imagination to “see” this love energy in your heart, envisioning it as a sphere of glowing pink love energy. Dwell on the affection and feel the sphere growing larger and larger until it fills your whole being, radiating throughout your body and beyond, so that you exist in a bubble of love. You can return to the bubble anytime you like, and it can be a safe space.