Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Religion & Spirituality:Buddhism
Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, is a fundamental practice in Buddhism that cultivates feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others. The word "Metta" is a Pali term that translates to "loving-kindness" or "benevolence."
In this meditation, practitioners typically sit in a comfortable position and focus on generating feelings of love and kindness. The practice involves silently repeating phrases or affirmations that express well-wishes, such as "May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe, may you live with ease."
The meditation progresses through stages, starting with sending loving-kindness to oneself, then extending it to loved ones, people we're neutral toward, and then to those we feel aversion or anger toward. The ultimate aim is to cultivate a boundless, unconditional love for all sentient beings. It also fosters a sense of interconnectedness and reduces emotions like anger and indifference.
Metta meditation is considered a powerful tool for developing compassion, empathy, and universal love and compassion. It is practiced in various forms across different Buddhist traditions. People from diverse backgrounds also use Metta meditation for its universal message of love and goodwill.
In this episode, we practice only the first round of the metta mediation, practicing loving-kindness toward ourselves:
May I be well
May I be happy
May I be peaceful
Whoever is
Seated, absorbed in meditation,
Done what had to be done,
Free of contaminants,
Who has reached the highest goal,
I call a brahmin. (386)
—Buddha, The Dhammapada
—Buddha, The Dhammapada.
References and Links
Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 78 (Link)
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Episode 195 - Feel before you act
Episode 194 - Enjoying without attachment
Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger
Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma
Important Announcement
Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions.
Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way
Episode 189 - Transforming the Three Poisons
Episode 188 - Practicing Impermanence
Episode 187 - Cleaning up bad karma
Episode 186 - Change your view and everything changes
Episode 185 - How to Transform through Buddha's Teachings
Episode 184: The Art of Ethical Living
Episode 183 - How to prevent anger
Episode 181 - Radiating Compassion
Episode 179 - Work with your greatest afflictions first
Episode 178 - Seeking The True Nature of Reality
Episode 177 - Thirst
Episode 176 - Light up this world like a moon set free
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