About Metta Practice

A powerful practice to open to and embody unconditional love is one from the Buddhist tradition called Metta Practice. Metta is a word meaning living kindness. Metta practice is a meditative and centering practice of well being for yourself and others. Many books and articles have described this practice is far greater detail. The book Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg is one of the best.

Beginning the Metta practice will start your journey to your balance point of body and spirit. It is a journey that will change and begin to heal all areas of your body, heart and mind.

Basic Instructions for Metta Practice

Sit comfortably in a chair or cushion in a place you will not be disturbed for 15 minutes.

With your eyes open or closed, relax, breathe easily and comfortably. Feel your energy settle into your body, easily and comfortably.

Begin to pull your awareness into your heart area, and let your breathing arise from that area. See if certain words emerge from your heart that speaks to what you wish for most deeply for yourself. For example, "May I enjoy peace, may I enjoy good health, and abundance of love." Continue this way until you feel a sense of well being.

Now, visualize or imagine radiating outward in a series of concentric circles this well being for others you have a close intimacy with. For example, "May my husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, son, daughter enjoy good health, peace, and abundance of love." Continue radiating outward this well being for those in your circle until you feel complete. Then move this circle to those you know, and then those you do not know, and move the circle outward to your town, state, country and the entire world. Bring the practice to a conclusion when you feel complete with it.

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