With just a blink, we are already looking at the end of February. So, how have you improved yourself, my fellow practitioners of Buddihism?
Some of my friends recently took part in a three-day retreat, practicing the Metta meditation. All of the them learned a lot. Yet, some linguistic problem troubles them.
The Pali word 'Metta' is commonly translated in English as 'loving-kindness.' That can be very misleading. In the English language, the term "love" really indicates "attachment" which is exactly what the Metta meditation tries to eradicate, or help the practitioners to eradicate for themselves.
Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Metta is in fact a very specific form of love -- a caring for another independent of all self-interest -- and thus is likened to one's love for one's child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe with words; however, in the practice of Metta meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this "boundless warm-hearted feeling." The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Indeed, Metta is a tool that permits one's generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person's happiness, no matter who the individual is.
Well, if you have followed what I just explained, keep these things in mind:
1. May I be safe and protected.
2. May I be peaceful and happy.
3. May I be healthy and strong.
4. May I have ease of well being (and accept all the conditions of the world)
then extend these phrases to a beneficiary. (details of how this is practiced can be found on the internet. but I would encourage you to seek for formal instructions) Oftentimes when you experienced obstacles in doing meditation, it was because your lack of metta. Make a try. You might be benefited.
