Living Kindness: Metta Practice for the Whole of Our Lives

"A fresh look at the Buddhist principle of metta, or loving-kindness. Dharma teacher Kevin Griffin demonstrates that metta is not just a meditation practice--it's a radical, selfless way of life based in universal love for all beings. In Living Kindness,Kevin Griffin guides us through the stories of the Pali Canon of Buddhism to deepen our understanding of the "brahmaviharas," or practices of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Appealing to the direct words of the Buddha, Griffin challenges us to consider that these practices are not just for developing positive states on the meditation cushion--they're important aspects of living in community and caring for our world. Ultimately, to live kindness is to express the deepest Buddhist wisdom of selflessness and non-clinging. Written in a personal and intimate tone, Living Kindness reads like words from one friend on the spiritual path to another. By unpacking the rich stories of the Pali Canon that often go underappreciated, Griffin transports us to thetime of the Buddha, reveals the contemporary relevance of his teachings, and underscores the human dimension of what can seem like lofty philosophy. With guided meditation practices on themes such as forgiveness, the preciousness of human birth, managingemotional attachment, and relating to the "Greed, Hatred, and Delusion Report" of news media, Living Kindness will appeal not only to Buddhist practitioners seeking traditional teachings, but to anyone who wants to grow in their capacity to love unconditionally in a troubled world"--
Revealing the richness and multifaceted nature of loving-kindness or metta on the Buddhist path, a leader in the mindful recovery movement and a Dharma teacher presents guided practices and illuminating explorations of classical texts to help readers deepen their understanding of a core Buddhist teaching. Original.
To live kindness is to express the essential Buddhist wisdom of selflessnessThrough stories from the ancient Pali canon of Buddhism and personal reflections on modern life, Dharma teacher Kevin Griffin reveals the richness and multifaceted nature of loving-kindness or metta on the Buddhist path. Along with the other brahmaviharas or “divine abodes” of compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, the practice of loving-kindness is not only a meditation technique—it’s a radical way of life based in wisdom, ethics, and compassion for all beings. As one friend on the spiritual path speaking to another, Griffin explores the human dimension of what can sometimes seem like lofty philosophy. What would it mean to be completely free of ill will? How do we love without clinging? Can we expand our loving-kindness beyond the human realm to encompass the Earth itself? And how does loving-kindness relate to the ultimate Buddhist goal of enlightenment? Through guided practices and illuminating explorations of classical texts like the Metta Sutta, readers are invited to deepen their understanding of a core Buddhist teaching.