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.
How can we open our hearts?
This talk explores the practices of forgiveness and compassion, as well as that of gratitude. The Metta Sutta provides the background for this exploration.
Transformation in practice, whether in mindfulness or metta practice, occurs through repetition, patience, understanding and faith, in a sometimes mysterious way. Using poems and stories, we explore the nature of lovingkindness (metta) and the kinds of transformation that occur as we practice.
