Why I Practice Metta

Each morning, before I even get out of bed, I practice Metta. You may know that Metta is a

practice to develop the ability to feel loving kindness and compassion for all beings. I do this

because my upbringing and my natural inclination is not always to be so open-hearted. This

practice over the years has truly changed my view of who “deserves” my compassion and

kindness.

Typically, a practice of Metta starts with ourselves. Offering good wishes to ourselves is the

beginning of softening the heart and accepting ourselves with all of our difficulties, our skills, our challenges, and our shortcomings. The wishes might be something like, “May I be healthy, may I be happy, may I be at peace”. There are many variations of these as well as many similar phrases that can be used. I choose these because they are simple, easy to remember and quick to say if I need to call on my Metta practice throughout the day. Offering myself Metta is the beginning of opening to compassion.

Next, we offer good wishes for others. I usually offer them for a loved one, a difficult one, all of humanity known to me, all of humanity unknown to me and all beings everywhere. I think about it as opening a circle of compassion to a larger and more inclusive group. Opening and filling my heart with kindness for all beings. May you be healthy, may you be happy, may you be at peace. My final wishes are for all beings everywhere - May we be healthy, may we be happy, may we be at peace.

It is not uncommon to have some resistance to one or more of these people or groups as we

add them to our circle. We can often think of someone we would like to exclude. The advice is to continue to practice even in the face of this resistance. Over time, it is my experience that the resistance fades as the realization comes that we cannot offer compassion to just those people we approve of or those we like. We must also include those people who may be causing suffering and harm. Most people behave badly when they have been hurt. To wish for healing, compassion, and kindness for all is to hope that everyone will find their way to a practice of compassion and kindness.

And that is why I practice Metta every day. I believe it is possible for us to change, that people who cause suffering can be awakened to the benefits of compassion just as I have been. I know it has made me a kinder, less judgmental person and I believe that it is possible to help others to achieve those benefits. I truly believe that practicing Metta and putting that positive energy into the world is a way to contribute to world peace - one person at a time.