In the path of liberating our hearts we learn to be intimate with all things. This talk focuses upon the power of aversion to create alienation and division and the power of mindfulness to uproot ill will.
Appreciative joy (Mudita) is the third of the divine abidings (Brahma Viharas). When directed to oneself, it enhances the sense of gratefulness. This is an important practice because joy is an integral part of the path to liberation.
In this second session, we first review the path of the Bodhisattva, exploring both the Theravada and Mahayara roots and the qualities (paramis, paramites) developed. We focus on vow – intentions, patience, and meditation, looking at how to make the Bodhisattva training real in our daily lives.
Our spiritual practices allow us to reconnect with our deepest caring for our own happiness and well-being. When this is awakened, we purify our heart and our caring expands to include all beings everywhere.
This talk explores in detail the tools and approaches we can develop to work skillfully with fear in our lives, both those fears that are obvious and those that are more hidden. There is a genuine possibility of liberation from the power that fear seems to have to constrict us
Forgiveness is an essential part of Metta practice so that the heart can stay open and the kindness flows out easily. In this talk forgiveness toward ourselves, asking and extending forgiveness with others and forgiveness towards life are explored.
