This introduction to a week of lovingkindness practice presents metta as a specific subset of mindfulness practice: paying attention to the presence or absence of good will in the mind. It includes an explanation of how the practice of continual blessing, “praying without ceasing” cultivates concentration of the mind. Concentration is presented as the antidote to all afflictive energies and the ground out of which our natural good will manifests.
Mettafying the hindrances to death! This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness. How we maintain the self through excluding our vulnerability. The protection of inclusion, no one left out.
Lovingkindness practice ultimately works because we are evoking our deep nature - of kindness and love, the "brightly shining" citta associated with lovingkindness. We explore how we can open to our radiant hearts through (1) learning to lead with our hearts, (2) cultivating concentration, (3) evoking love and working through what blocks love, and (4) touching more and more our depths.
Part 1: How differences in this practice work for different people.
Part 2: Compassion is doing nothing more than tenderly holding whatever pain arises.
Providing an overview of the Metta Sutta, demonstrating how it outlines the three foundations of practice: sila, samadhi and panna. Includes an explanation of concentration as the antidote of all afflictive emotions and includes stories of travel as examples of how everyone has to arrive safely.
