I have been doing this practice every morning for about 2 years now, and it really has changed my orientation to my day.  I wake up and think about how my day can be of benefit to others, and then specifically arouse the wish for certain people to experience happiness that day.  All day, I return to these thoughts, naturally, without effort at this point.  It provides a good counterbalance to other self-absorbed moments!

I've been doing this practice "randomly", not knowing it was a practice, for about a year.  When I do, it changes the focus of my day.  It means I have to wake up BEFORE I climb out of bed.  I guess that's the point, isn't it!  :-)

 Yes, Geri, it does mean "waking up", and I so appreciate the way it sets the tone of my day.  Do you find that you think about that thought throughout the day as well?

Hi Gayle! Actually, the more regularly I can make myself wake up before I get out of bed and engage, the more frequently I do remember during the day.  It seems like a cumulative process.  :-)

I can't wait to try this. I've always wanted to but have found it hard to discipline myself with these little things :)

A great way to start the day, focus on the breath, other people and my mind comes winging back home

Lily 

I usually do a little practice where I notice my legs, remember the lion (red) and say Kee, Kee to myself, then I notice my mid-section, remember the tiger (blue) and say So, So. Then I notice my chest, remember garuda (orange) and say Kee, Kee. Then notice my head, remember dragon (white) and say So, So. Then I let them all mix together and go up with the words Ashe La Kilo. I do invision the people I love or will be seeing that day and wish them love but I do that during my sitting practice. I've been doing this most mornings since last April when I learned the practice from our acharya Moh Hardin who learned it from the Sakyon. It also helps me to wake-up. I will do it a little more regularily from now on.  Please excuse my spelling. All the best Catherine

 Feeling into my body before I focus my mind has been a habit fora few years, but sitting in my bed and thinking about the day head and wishing well to those in my life and to others who havecome to my attention for some reason does hel me get my own concerns into perspective.

Often this helps me appreciate all that I have and then energy flows though me. I am aware of those I thought about specifically in bed and I have a vision of them in my mind smiling and feeling well. I have been surprised byt eh number of times I have included someone I havent thought about for a while and that day they will contact me. It is uncanny how this energy works.

I am so glad that there is a label for what I have been doing of a morning for years. Contemplation in bed. I used to call it a sleep in, only not sleeping, just..... contemplating! I agree with everyones realizations/ benefits. It certainly makes my day better.

 Catherine, I love that you do this practice in bed.  I learned this from the Sakyong several summers ago, and he called it Ground Lungta.  I never considered doing it upon awakening!  Great idea, I will try it.

 Sue, I think when we intentionally start our day with unselfish thoughts, it goes counter to our cultural training.  I like being a rebel :-).  I really love those moments before getting out of bed being dedicated to kind thoughts rather than worry or planning.

 Here is a link where you can listen or download a nine minute talk by the Sakyong describing the Ground Lungta practice:  http://shambhala.org/teachings/view.php?id=108

this morning for the first time I remembered to do the contemplation in bed practice.  the only thing I did was thinking about how can I show kindness today.  That immediately softened me. It also focused me and became more contemplative about the day as I went about to do my morning routine.  I will check and try the Sakyong's Ground Lungta practice

Trudy, this is wonderful! I too, find, that taking that moment softens me and leads me gently into the challenges of the day.  I just listened to the Ground Lungta and realize it is a beautiful practice and adds to the morning start.