This introduction to a week of lovingkindness practice presents metta as a specific subset of mindfulness practice: paying attention to the presence or absence of good will in the mind. It includes an explanation of how the practice of continual blessing, “praying without ceasing” cultivates concentration of the mind. Concentration is presented as the antidote to all afflictive energies and the ground out of which our natural good will manifests.
To be mindful of our present experience along with our gentle breath, can allow us to free our grasping and ill will, and allow us to feel the conditions that come and go like ocean waves.
The talk explores the aspects of practice of collecting the mind, intuitive insight, non-separation of a single taste, and ordinariness, through sharing stories, poetry and teachings.
