Change the World Friday: What a little love can do

A change of pace this Friday. Sometimes we want to take action to change the world, there are practical needs we can meet or injustices we can work to change. But beneath it all I know that nothing really matters more than this, loving kindness, having goodwill for oneself and for others. So sometimes the way I change the world is by sitting alone on a cushion and changing the landscape of my mind and heart for a little while.

Metta or loving kindness meditation is one of the cornerstones of Buddhist meditation practice, the companion to mindfulness meditation practice. In my experience the practice of loving kindness meditation can allow cracks to appear in the walls that protect my heart, allowing me to experience for a moment the truth that there is no real difference between 'you' and 'me'.

This glimpse of the truth that we are all connected, together with the experience of connecting for a moment with my natural, basic desire for the well-being of all, is what then enables me to act in the world, to change the world.

This month I have had the gift of meeting a wonderful new meditation teacher and we've agreed to focus for a while on loving kindness or metta meditation practices. When I get in touch with a bit of loving kindness all sorts of other things start to shift.

If you think you might be ready for a bit more loving kindness, and if you are already comfortable with the basics of meditation, then you might like to try one of these: guided metta meditation from Gil Frondsdal; guided metta meditation from Shaila Catherine; or a whole page of guided metta meditations from the wonderful DharmaSeed website.

Comments

[Swirly]

Changing the landscape of our hearts and minds can sometimes be the most daunting journey of all...but sometimes it is the most important journey we can make. xoxo

[Andi]

Thanks for inspiring me to meditate again. I don't think there is anything better to focus on than loving-kindness either! The world could use a lot more of that these days. :)

[Natasha]

Thank you so much for introducing this! I have been trying to find this for such a long time!!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU. I AM SOOO HAPPYYYYYYYYY. THANKSSS THANKSS THANKSSS

[lineage 2 cd key]

Thanks for inspiring me to meditate again. I don't think there is anything better to focus on than loving-kindness either! The world could use a lot more of that these days. :)