Transcript
So, let’s talk a little now about the content of the course. Loving-kindness practice is intended to cultivate metta, so it’s probably about time that I said a little about what metta actually is, to start off with.
Metta is the intention of kindness, and the felt sense in the body that comes with that.
It’s a stance that recognises the natural potential for wellbeing for yourself and others, and an orientation towards what’s helpful, what’s wholesome, skilful, what’s good. And there’s a felt sense - a feeling in the body - that accompanies that orientation; it feels good.
But it’s not an agenda - it doesn’t require that you try to be “nice”, because sometimes being “nice” is an act of avoidance rather than kindness. Metta can be fierce.
It’s not self-abnegation, or putting others’ needs above your own.
Metta goes where it’s needed; whether that’s to others, or to parts of yourself. It should help you to see yourself and your needs more clearly. That means that metta won’t make you naive; it won’t make you a pushover, or a doormat.
Metta isn’t transactional.
Feeling metta for somebody doesn’t mean that you have to like them, or agree with what they do.
Metta can’t be thwarted because it’s not trying to achieve something; metta remains even if there’s nothing you can do outwardly.
It can coexist with and hold enormous joy as well as great sadness, frustration, or anger; your own as well as others’.