Instructions and finding your "easy doorway" to Metta; instructions in the skill of abiding; closes with a brief abiding.

A short exploration of kindness: how it's supported by our capacity to rest, and is itself a restful quality

Going deeper as we enter the 2nd half of this retreat, exploring the Buddha's words: ‘This is peaceful, this is sublime, that is, the stilling of all activities, the letting go of all attachments, the ending of craving, dispassion, cessation, Nibbāna.’ How can we have sati, samadhi and panna continuously?

Mettā to sensations.

It’s good to clear everything before we die, to leave no spiritual debts that may heavily impact our karma. Seeing the powerful healing of joy and kindness, I take up the practice of inner cleansing day by day, applying metta – loving-kindness practice – through the luminosity of forgiveness. This potent flame of reconciliation melts away any harmful residue or holding in the heart so that not a flutter or tremor of ill-will remains. Let us avail ourselves of its power. At the shrine of forgiveness, we light the light of joy and freedom within while fostering happiness for other beings. This is the fount of both medicine and cure – reconciliation and liberation of the heart.

Inner parts and other beings.

Pacticing Mettā

Brahma Viharas and Self Compassion, Mettā Meditation.

Developing a felt sense of loving-kindness and compassion as based on the meditation instructions the Buddha taught

Guided meditation, inspired by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on befriending fear

Guided meditation, inspired by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on befriending fear

A brief talk and guided practice of bringing loving kindness to ourselves and blurring the boundaries between this body and the rest of the world.

Questions are précised 00:15 Q1 Can you clarify why the Buddha recommended sense restraint in cultivating citta? What harm does sense desire to the citta? 04:20 Q2 I have a picture that the sense organs are shooting stuff into the citta. Is that correct? 12:42 Q3 How can I overcome sound distractions to focus more on my breathing ? 18:59 Q4 The Buddha said, light arose and vision arose. What does this mean? 20:27 Q5 If we trust in awareness, would this lead to attachment to citta and become another soul? 24:09 Q6 I feel emotions deeply and am sometimes affected by other being seen and unseen, like ghosts. Also getting angry gives me power and sometimes I feel that metta softens and weakens myself to others. How can I protect citta, one’s sensitivity? 30:45 Q7 How to distinguish between self-care and attachment?

Radiating metta to all beings

Receiving Metta from a benefactor, and sharing with others, including difficult persons

1. How do you handle fear and doubt? 13:27 2. Can you explain the difference between mental feeling and emotional feeling? 16:30 3. I experience angry and unproductive thoughts over damage caused by the neighbours over 15 years. What do you suggest? 26:55 4. I experienced bullying when I was at school and I picked up a habit of trying to sleep through my classes inform the connection between aversion and drowsiness. Can you offer some suggestions please? 31:58 5. My main practice is practicing metta. Is it important to develop my meditation and walking practice alongside metta? 40:18 6. There's a negative mind state that I thought I should investigate but seem to have no energy to do so. As I continued to practice the mind state disappeared. Is it still important to investigate in case this complete lack of purpose and meaning returns?

Morning Guided Meditation

Der Gegenpol zur Entwicklung von Weisheit liegt in der Entwicklung eines offenen Herzens. Dieses drückt sich aus in einer inneren Haltung liebender Güte, des Mitgefühls und der Mitfreude. Eine solche innere Haltung bzw. innere Absicht kann durch die Mettapraxis kultiviert werden. Die Betonung im Vortrag liegt auf Metta.

Mettā for another and oneself, expanding to all phenomena.

Obstacles to uncovering mettā; ways of responding to obstacles; supportive pathways in leaning towards mettā.

A talk and Q&A at Wat Marp Jan on the occasion of Ajahn Anan's birthday. Q&A starts: 35:18 Q1 May I know how can one start to train patient endurance? If one does not have any virtue, [does it mean] one cannot practice patient endurance? 39:48 Q2 Virtues mean high moral standards. How can one develop virtues? 43:33 Q3 How can I start to integrate meditation practice in my daily life when I feel I am still a slave to my cravings and often fall into their control and indulge in them? 46:50 Q4 How can I apply metta to myself and others and really mean it, when it comes to practicing in the sangha community. There is a difficult member in the sangha and saying may he or she be well is not working at least in my case it seems. Any advice please? 55:12 Q5 How do we train to rejoice in others' good fortune when we are having a bad time in our life? 57:52 Q6 What is your advice on doubt regarding which tradition to follow? 1:01:39 Q7 You spoke about developing equanimity [towards dukkha]. How can we practice this if the dukkha is overwhelming and we just want to escape the pain? 1:04:36 Q8 If I am unable to control my craving for food, does it mean I do not have virtue? I find myself gobbling down food and then it is never enough. I always tell myself it will be the last time but the cycle repeats tomorrow. 1:07:12 Q9 Could you give more detail about how to make an aspiration for one's next life? [example given]

Flooding the heart with mettā

How metta really works in our lives.

A dharma talk about the four brahma viharas and nature - how wild things help wake up the heart. Starring many wild and wonderful creatures and lots of retreat stories.

Metta as the vehicle for the sure hearts release with insight from bell hooks and others.

A short reflection and story about how metta can help us grow wisdom, and how wisdom can help us grow metta.

How the hindrances arise in metta practice, and how to meet them with mindfulness and antidotes. Especially focuses on the near and far neighbors of attached love and aversion.

A talk about the joys, benefits and healing powers of metta and samadhi practice.