The Path of the Open Heart: Embracing a Happier Life Through Compassionate Practices
Week 1: Loving-kindness (Metta): Cultivating an open heart and goodwill towards all beings
David Oromith · 75 minutes · recorded June 9, 2023
The evening opens with a short settling meditation, followed later by a full loving-kindness practice in which we move from self to a loved one, a neutral person and someone difficult, closing with the Buddha's words on boundless love. David explains metta as a wish rather than a feeling, and names its near enemy, self-centred attachment, and its far enemy, ill will, using the image of a mosaic buried under concrete. Sarah describes how a small act of kindness turned round a strained work relationship.
I suggest that, as an experiment of the potential benefits of loving-kindness practice, that we allocate some time daily over the week to engage in meditations and contemplations on loving-kindness. Two recordings go further into this: the talk and guided meditation for the International Day of Peace, on loving-kindness, and The True Meaning of Non-Attachment and How It Sets You Free.
Anger and aversion Anxiety and fear Attachment and craving Relationships and family Compassion (karuna) Loving kindness (metta) The four immeasurables