When I first came across Metta (loving-kindness) meditation, it seemed very... woo? wishy-washy?
I looked it up on YT, and it basically involved cultivating loving emotions towards yourself and others
"Yeah, this doesn't really look like meditation, seems forced and artificial"
I looked it up on YT, and it basically involved cultivating loving emotions towards yourself and others
"Yeah, this doesn't really look like meditation, seems forced and artificial"
It did not fit my preconceived notions of what "meditation" should be like. So I dismissed it.
A couple of years later, I saw John Vervaeke discuss Metta in his brilliant lecture series. And it woke me up to what Metta is actually about.
A couple of years later, I saw John Vervaeke discuss Metta in his brilliant lecture series. And it woke me up to what Metta is actually about.
https://twitter.com/kunaaaaaal/status/1331680840229683201
Dr. Vervaeke offers an existential interpretation of Metta.
He says love is not an emotion or feeling, it's an existential mode. It's a way of being. It's a way of knowing and being known. It's a commitment to a way of life with someone.
He says love is not an emotion or feeling, it's an existential mode. It's a way of being. It's a way of knowing and being known. It's a commitment to a way of life with someone.
And the end goal of Metta is not to generate positive emotions. Rather the positive emotions are a method through which we get an "existential stance".
This existential stance opens us up — to love, to learning, to transformation.
This existential stance opens us up — to love, to learning, to transformation.
He also explains how Metta enables a holistic spiritual practice.
While "meditation" is the act of deeply looking inward, contemplation (Metta) is the act of deeply looking outward. And both of them need to go hand in hand.
While "meditation" is the act of deeply looking inward, contemplation (Metta) is the act of deeply looking outward. And both of them need to go hand in hand.
There's depth to the practice, and it's hard to capture it in tweets.
If you're curious, here's a lesson video where Dr. Vervaeke first explains what Metta is about (30 mins) and then guides a session (20 mins).
If you're curious, here's a lesson video where Dr. Vervaeke first explains what Metta is about (30 mins) and then guides a session (20 mins).
I've only been practicing Metta for a few months now. But there are some sharply visible small changes in my day-to-day life.
I can't wait to see the transfomation a few hundred or so hours of practice will enable. (I just wish I had not ignored it and started sooner)
I can't wait to see the transfomation a few hundred or so hours of practice will enable. (I just wish I had not ignored it and started sooner)
All in all, can't recommend it highly enough. 10/10
Metta is also much more accessible for beginners, compared to other practices. (The above-mentioned resources are perfect to get you started)
P.S. Love actually is the answer to everything.
Metta is also much more accessible for beginners, compared to other practices. (The above-mentioned resources are perfect to get you started)
P.S. Love actually is the answer to everything.
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