-Japanese version has been posted separately- 
-日本語版は「慈愛の瞑想」のタイトルで
別個に掲載中です-


Metta
or Loving-kindness 


...Is one of the meditation methods in Theravada Buddhism that I am fond of.

I would chant this along with every Vipassana meditation session as an introductory routine.

To be honest, it has been a neglected practice for me these days, as I have been engrossed in the meditation app that I use...


May I be happy

May I be free from suffering and anxiety

May my wish come true

May the light of enlightenment shine on me


After repeating each sentence three times, change the subject(and the object of the last sentence) to;


"Those living beings who I love"

"Those living beings who I dislike"

"Those living beings who dislike me"

"Any and every living being"


and again, chant each sentence three times.


When saying these it is very important to:


  1. Avoid picturing a specific image when you chant for happiness, freedom from suffering and anxiety, and a wish. Keep thoughts vague and general. 


  1. Perform it honestly, from the bottom of your heart.

Especially with "those living beings who I dislike" and "those living beings who dislike me", stop as soon as you detect any unpleasant feelings within you or when you don’t mean it.

 

At first glance, it may be seen as preaching new age garbage, until you take a closer look.

From both viewpoints of self-preservation and survival of the species, a society filled with anxiety and anger is physically and psychologically threatening,  equally, to each individual and the group as a whole.

“Happiness for myself (and my loved ones) comes first, of course. However, if I had a choice I would rather like my society to be a positive one where everyone else is also happy. ” - I presume this idea is shared by the majority of us, even the most egocentric ones; if not the case of extreme sadist or cases of mental illness.

 

Also, in the realm where the boundary between subjects; objects; subject and object merge into one (see previous entries "How I Became a Minimalist" part 1 - 3), subject "I" eventually assimilates itself into us "all". Thus, "my happiness" equals "happiness of all living beings"; liberation of the soul; and the state of seeing clearly under the light of enlightenment - there is no inconsistency in the equation. 

 

This method of meditation is said to have existed since pre-Buddha era - as in ancient texts of Hinduism and Jainism etc. This could be a kind of wish we have had universally since the dawn of the history of mankind. 

 

The biggest mystery, that surpasses any myths that any religion offers, is our very existence - 

in the words of theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss;

"Every atom in our body came from a star that exploded. and, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. it really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: you are all stardust."

 

Our presence, as a crystallization of accidents, is in and of itself a miracle.

Religions have no monopoly in this -

To embrace each moment of our mortality, cherishing and passing our stories on to the next generation is, I believe,  our identity as the human race.

 

May the light of enlightenment shine on any and every living being.


 


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Hawthorn berries that I had picked and kept in the freezer…

 

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…made a nice jam.


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Wild Hibiscus flowers under the summer sky. (Photo taken by the author in Nago, Okinawa)