“Loving-kindness meditation is the cultivation of a steady, unconditional sense of connection that touches all beings without exception, including ourselves,” writes Sharon Salzberg.
Practiced in stages — beginning with ourselves, then for those we love and people we barely know, right up to those we dislike, fear, even hate — loving-kindness meditation speaks to our deep longing for peace. “World peace must develop from inner peace,” the Dalai Lama says, “Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
Also known as mettā meditation, it has been an essential practice in the Buddhist tradition for 2,500 years. One scholar writes that “the Pali word mettā [means] friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord, inoffensiveness and non-violence … . It evokes within a warm-hearted feeling of fellowship, sympathy and love, which grows boundless with practice and overcomes all social, religious, racial, political and economic barriers.”
You can obtain the CD from me for $10 (peter<at>heartmind.ca). Net proceeds — once production costs have been recovered — will be donated to Jeneece Place, a home away from home for families who travel to Victoria for their child’s medical care, and to (Friends of) Sandringham, a psycho-geriatric care centre where I’ve been volunteering for close to six years.
This is just a heartwarming gift for all. The meditation is tenderness and compassion offered in a wonderful soothing way. There is something about beginning with ourselves that resonates as something that has been missing for me. Almost like a gift to ourself. Moving that love to others has given me a focused way of sharing compassion with others – family, friends, acquaintances and the greater world.
This is a true gift for yourself and the most wonderful small gift for the holidays. The donation goes to Janesse Place which is a beautiful addition to our healthcare. We can be part of extending loving kindness to families caring for their children during a very scary and difficult time. Peter, I would like to purchase two more and thank you for contributing to my Christmas peace with this great gift! B.