Lovingkindness, or metta, is the first of the four divine abodes in buddhist teachings. This talk explores the habitual patterns of fears and wants that obscure this innate quality of heart and key ways that we awaken ourselves to its luminous presence.
We explore (1) our individual metta practice - formal and informal 0 in our daily lives, (2) metta practice in the context of our many types of relationships, and (3) metta practice as service and action in our wider world.
The Buddha taught that there are 8 ways to cultivate metta, which manifest into 11 benefits. The talk includes numerous stories from around the world, including the story of how the Buddha came to teach lovingkindness.
