In Buddhism, the cultivation of kindness (mettā bhavana) is revered as a practice with many benefits. One fruit of the practice of mettā is equanimity. When equanimous, the heart/mind is steady, even, peaceful, and balanced, supple like bamboo that bends rather than breaking or solid, immovable and unshakable like a mountain. The desire for equanimity, whether we know that word or not, is often what draws us to meditation practice and interestingly, increasing equanimity is one of the first benefits that beginners report.
The Pali word mettā, often translated as “loving-kindness” is evocative of an inner attitude of friendliness, benevolence, goodwill, acceptance and similar flavors of non-romantic love. In the mettā cultivation practice, we start by generating or inclining the mind to mettā where it’s easy. I often think of baby goats. Hard to feel ill-will or aversion toward baby goats. Notice how you feel when you look at the photo. Then we can widen the circle to our self, the stranger, the difficult person and eventually all beings everywhere.
The heart/mind that can direct mettā in equal measure, without discrimination, toward the loved one and the stranger and the enemy, where mettā is a gentle rain or a sunbeam that falls evenly on everyone has a quality of impartiality of mind that is a cornerstone of equanimity. With this impartiality of mind, the mind, even if just for a moment, is not for or against anything. There is no struggle, no push and no pull, just resting in ease and contentment. From that place of resting, we can then move into the world and do what’s needed with greater compassion and wisdom.
Please join us for a day of practice, in person at InsightLA Benedict Canyon Retreat House or click here to register for the online version (this is a hybrid event meeting both in-person and online). All are welcome regardless of practice experience.
We are deeply grateful to our community members for their understanding, patience, and support through this challenging and life changing chapter of our journey together. We are eager to move into the next phase of our adventure. In keeping with the principals of the dharma that underlies all of our activities, primarily ahimsa (do no harm), we are requiring that all attendees be fully vaccinated in order to attend any in-person event. If you certify that you meet this requirement please select ‘yes’ on the registration page. This requirement is for the initial stage of reopening and we are looking forward to practicing together once again in-person! Please register early, max capacity is 25 students. Please be sure to read the Benedict Canyon page for parking info and items to bring as we will utilize both the indoor (masks required) and outdoor spaces (masks optional).
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