November 2, 2013

Metta (Loving-Kindness): The Practice of Universal Love

Mindah-Lee Kumar Uncategorized 4 immeasurables, brahma viharas, brahma viharas meditation, brahma-vihara, brahmavihara meditation, buddhism and love, buddhist loving kindness, chant of metta, define metta, four immeasurable minds, four immeasurables, four immeasurables Buddhism, four immeasurables prayer, love and kindness, love in Buddhism, loving kindness Buddhism, loving kindness definition, loving kindness mantra, loving kindness metta, loving kindness prayer, loving kindness quotes, loving-kindness, meaning of metta, metta, metta bhavana, metta Buddhism, metta definition, metta loving kindness, metta meaning, metta prayer, metta sutra, metta sutta, the four immeasurables, universal love, what is loving kindness, with metta

 
Metta, also known as loving kindness, is an attitude of universal love that is radiated to all living beings in the world without discrimination. In Buddhist teachings it is said that there are four divine states of mind which are naturally and unceasingly experienced by those who are enlightened. They are metta (loving-kindness), compassion, joy and equanimity. Together they are called the Four Immeasurables or the Four Brahma-Viharas. By training in these states of mind through meditation we can tap into these divine states and create the causes for experiencing happiness now and in the future.

In this video, I look at cultivating the first of these divine thoughts: metta. In particular, I describe what metta is, what are the advantages in practicing it, what are some of the obstacles that might prevent us from cultivating genuine loving-kindness, and I highlight some practical tips that we can employ to ensure our formal metta meditation practice is a success.
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