Notes on teaching the Metta Bhavana meditation

Notes on teaching the Metta Bhavana meditation

About me; meditation 1990, OM in Triratna 1994, teaching 2002

Practice of meditation; like a musical instrument, states of mind and qualities, enlightenment

-- Capable of new experience we can’t now imagine, we often limit ourselves, need faith, intention

-- And need to be rooted in current experience, discover who we really are,

Hidden by; controlling our emotions, avoiding pain, ideas about ourselves, external activity

Working on yourself; means how we change;

Developing an emotionally and positive concentrated state of mind not by wilful suppression of unpleasant emotions and escaping unpleasant feelings but by:

-- Choosing to focus on the positive not the negative

Developing our awareness to be able to make those kinds of choices.

Not on autopilot.

Means we can take responsibility for our mental and emotional states.

Not blame others for what we feel.

-- Leads to states of openness, receptivity, love and compassion

Which allow positive, creative communication and improved relations

In conflicts capable of keeping positive states, aware and concentrated

Thinking quickly to make good decisions

Why continue coming?

How to practice in everyday life, how our everyday lives support our meditation

Единомышленники, spiritual friendship, support

Hindrances arise over time, after a few months and 10 years ….

Spiritual development is a long path, many stages, different needs later

Highest development of meditation is E, path to E is called the Dharma, essence of Buddhism

Triratna; international Buddhist community practising together

While meditating;

What happens to the experience of your body, your feelings, emotions, thoughts while meditating

What are the effects, changes

We can share experiences afterwards

Tip, don’t spend the while meditation thinking about it

Emphasis, exploring experience and discovering change