This Dharma Thought on “Metta Like You Mean It” is offered by Steve Allison-Bunnell of the Joining Rivers Sangha which meets Mondays at 7PM.
A former President and current candidate nearly assassinated; questions about the future of the sitting President’s candidacy; relentless death and destruction in Gaza, Ukraine, and elsewhere — never has the world, never have our leaders, and never have we needed more to cultivate and amplify lovingkindness toward one another. One source translates the Pali word “metta” as “active interest in others.” I like how that phrasing emphasizes the fullness and commitment involved in practicing it. It goes beyond casual “friendliness” to soften blame and anger in order to genuinely wish happiness for all beings, starting with their safety and basic well-being. Practicing Metta emphatically extends that wish both to those we already care for and those we dislike. What happens when you direct lovingkindness to someone you judge or even hate? If you don’t think you can go that far, might you still try? How is it different to practice in this moment?
