Metta: The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love

Mindfulness and even lovingkindness meditation practices are commonly thought of as personal and inward-focused, but they can very much be social practices as well. When we get in touch with our own pain or the pain of others, meditation is not just a salve; it can provide the impetus to work for change.

As Dipa Ma taught, the capacity to love that is inherent in every one of us can be awakened and developed through the practice of lovingkindness or metta, which refers to a state of mind that radiates kindness, wishing well without wanting anything in return. It helps you awaken love when you’re not feeling it, and deepen and amplify it when you ar

The Pali word metta has two root meanings. One is the word for “gentle.” Metta is likened to a gentle rain that falls upon the earth. This rain does not select and choose—“I’ll rain here, and I’ll avoid that place over there.” Rather, it simply falls without discrimination. The other root meaning for metta is “friend.” To understand the power or th

Mindfulness entails uninvolved receptivity of experience in a non-doing mode. Loving-kindness and compassion, on the other hand, are actively directed practices: radiating out or embracing.

Mindfulness entails uninvolved receptivity of experience in a non-doing mode. Loving-kindness and compassion, on the other hand, are actively directed practices: radiating out or embracing.