A Loving Kindness Meditation

Summary

The website content discusses the practice of loving kindness meditation, emphasizing the capacity for universal love and the importance of extending kindness even to those filled with hatred or fear.

Abstract

The article introduces the concept of Metta blessings, also known as loving kindness meditations, which are a part of the author's yoga and Buddhism practice. It presents a common loving kindness meditation that wishes for all beings to be filled with loving kindness, to be safe, well, and happy. Recognizing the idealistic nature of these wishes, the author acknowledges the human capacity for love and the tragic choice many make to embrace hatred and fear instead. The piece argues that violence and fear lead to a lonely oblivion, countering this with the personal commitment to offer loving kindness, especially to those who seem to need it most, such as racists, the greedy, and the phobic. The author emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people, asserting that to harm one is to harm all, and reiterates the loving kindness blessings for the reader. The article concludes with an invitation to explore more of the author's work and to support them through platforms like Ko-fi and Medium membership.

Opinions

The author believes that despite the impossibility of achieving universal well-being, the capacity for love in humans is profound and often underutilized.
There is a deep sense of disappointment or sorrow in the author's tone regarding humanity's choice to embrace negativity over love and understanding.
The author holds that those who exhibit hateful behaviors, such as racism or phobia, are in dire need of loving kindness, suggesting a compassionate approach to those who are typically ostracized.
The piece conveys a strong message of unity and interconnectedness among all humans, advocating for a collective approach to well-being.
By offering loving kindness to all, including those traditionally deemed unworthy, the author is making a personal stand against the prevalence of fear and violence in society.
The author encourages readers to support their work, indicating a belief in the value of their message and the potential impact of their writing on others.

A small, flickering light in the darkness.

Through my yoga practice and reading more into Buddhism, I’ve become acquainted with the Metta blessings (loving kindness meditations).

Here’s a common one:

May all beings be filled with loving kindness. May all beings be safe from inner and outer dangers. May all beings be well in body and mind. May all beings be at ease and happy.

It’s a pipe dream, I know. It’s impossible for every living being on this earth to be all those things, all at once.

But we have the capacity.

That’s what breaks my heart the most. We have the capacity to love each other, and yet so many of us choose not to.

Instead, violence eats us alive. Fear takes the wheel and causes us to veer off the path of understanding and compassion toward a black and lonely oblivion.

In response (I know it’s a drop in the ocean, but it’s all I have), I offer loving kindness.

Even to the racist ones, the greedy ones, the ones filled with hatred. Even to the phobic ones who fear anyone different from themselves.

Those people need loving kindness the most.

My friend, my neighbour, you who I pass on the street or you who I will never pass at all — you are not an-other. You are every bit a part of me as the fingers on my hands.

We are one. One race, one people, one interconnected web of beautiful diversity and intricacy.

To break down one, is to break down all.

So, for what it’s worth:

May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be safe from inner and outer dangers. May you be well in body and mind. May you be at ease and happy.

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