Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (Shambhala Classics) by Salzberg Sharon

Author:Salzberg, Sharon [Salzberg, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2011-07-19T16:00:00+00:00

EXERCISE: Lovingkindness for All Beings

We dissolve the concepts of separateness that have ruled our lives by practicing metta for all beings without exception.

Lovingkindness for all beings is the foundation of moral and spiritual awakening. As Krishnamurti said, “There is no silence without love.” Those looking for silence, for the end of the conditioning of self and other, for profound transformation, need to look at the power of developing love for all.

Begin by sitting and extending the feeling of metta, which is friendship, caring, and kindness, to yourself. Then, as a transition, you can reflect on the fact that all beings want to be happy: “Just as I want to be happy, all beings want to be happy.” Then begin to direct metta to all beings, including yourself.

Traditionally this is first done by formulating different categories that convey to you a sense of the boundlessness of life, the immeasurable nature of sentient existence. Examples are “all beings,” “all living beings,” “all creatures,” “all individuals,” and “all those in existence.” Using a few different categories that point to this vastness, combine them with your regular metta phrases: “May all beings be free from danger. May they [or “we,” if you prefer] have mental happiness. May they have physical happiness. May they have ease of well-being.”

“May all living beings be free from danger. May they have mental happiness. May they have physical happiness. May they have ease of well-being.”

“May all creatures be free from danger. May they have mental happiness. May they have physical happiness. May they have ease of well-being.”

“May all individuals be free from danger. May they have mental happiness. May they have physical happiness. May they have ease of well-being.”

“May all those in existence be free from danger. May they have mental happiness. May they have physical happiness. May they have ease of well-being.”

Repeat the metta phrases you have chosen, and extend them to all beings everywhere, without division, without exclusion, and without end.

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