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Metta Blast ~ Prologue

April 26, 2007

ph_apr_mettaJoan.jpg

Suspending Judgement ~ Canon 30d

Today marks the beginning of a new idea for Visual-Voice. When I posted the request for prayers and metta for my friend last week, something dawned on me ~ why not do this more often? I practice sending metta, or lovingkindness, to my family and friends all the time... why not do it up here on a regular basis?

A Buddhist friend and I have embarked upon a bit of a Lovingkindness Experiment of sorts. He's more of a scientific test it and see it sort of person than I am, and has encouraged me to share where and when I sit down to send creative, lovingkindness energy to him. It's his sense of curiosity and wondering if there's a way to track the results, or maybe even feel them.

I say, "why not?" What do you say?

If any of you are wondering what this "sending of metta" is, it's just the way Buddhists pray for one another. There's not much difference, with one exception... Buddhists don't go into specifics with their prayers, they just send kindness and love and it goes like this:

may you be safe
may you be happy
may you be healthy
may you live with ease

That's about it. Repeat it over and over in your mind, you don't have to say it out loud... just think it. And, if you think that's too foreign to you, don't worry it isn't mandatory. Just sit quietly and let the outer part of your being ~ the part which is bound to earth and time ~ take a back seat. It's easy, really... just get out of your soul's way so it can do the job for you. The less you say, and the more you suspend judgement, the more effective you'll be.

A favorite teacher of mine once said that God really doesn't need to hear our monologues to go about keeping her universe in order. Explaining the situation with an impressive array of words while working yourself into a fervent emotional state? Do you really think that makes a difference to an omnipotent presence?

I loved my teacher's prescription for meditation:

1. Shut up.
2. Sit down.
3. Listen.

That's Buddhist meditation in a nutshell. It could be thought of as pretty Christian too ~ thy will be done.

Get out of your own way. Get out of Loving Presence's Way. Sit down, stop whining, and open yourself to your soul's direction. Once you've opened up to this vast CREATIVE outlet, channel it to your loved ones, to the neutral people you come in contact with, to the people you aren't particularly fond of... expanding the touch of Loving Presence to the entire world. When you've expanded your blessings out to all creatures everywhere, you can't help but come back to yourself and bless YOU. So why not widen your circle?

This first Metta Blast is intended as a simple primer. Just sit down, shut up and listen ~ even if it's just for 5 minutes, keep the follwing in mind:

This is a test. This is only a test. Go into it without any expectations, except to stay open and listen to the creative well within. Or... just do it the way you've done it. If all you get out of this is feeling a little more peace in your day, then the "practice" will have been immensely good for you. And... if difficult feelings pop up during your practice, it's okay. Just hold them in your heart of hearts with the tenderest compassion. Go easy on yourself ~ yeah it's a test, but you certainly won't be graded!

Just open up. Plug in. Listen. (and let me know what happens!)

Posted by vincent at April 26, 2007 03:50 PM

Comments

I grew up thinking prayer was breathing. I come from a family (large at that,) who pray in words, actions, and deeds. In their every movement. Susan you have described perfectly.
I will hold you in prayer;

Thank you for this post, it is pure oxygen.

Posted by: tongue in cheek at April 29, 2007 04:43 PM

I love the idea of making it simple. We do tend to complicate everything with words. Of course they aren't necessary. I'm looking forward to trying this.

Posted by: Sandra at April 29, 2007 11:19 PM

I love this Susan. I know that "The Secret" has taken a beating lately with all the PR machine attached to it, but the premise is correct. What you focus on grows, and what you put out into the universe comes back to you, so this is perfect to demonstrate that universal law. I am certainly game, and you'll have my meta energy sent each day dear heart.

Posted by: jayne at April 30, 2007 06:40 AM

I like the idea of sending love.

Thank you for this wonderful post.

Posted by: CV at April 30, 2007 09:21 AM

A wonderful post Susan, thank you! It is also really important to send Metta to the "difficult" people in your life, not just the ones you love and need healing. That is the first step in forgiving.

Posted by: jzrart at April 30, 2007 11:57 AM

Thanks JZR... absolutely, we must hold those we aren't particularly fond of in metta too... all of us are interconnected, and I'm glad you put some added focus on it for us!

Posted by: susan at April 30, 2007 12:27 PM

I love this idea, Susan. I've linked to this post and am going to set aside a particular time each week to do this.

Last night I went upstairs to my room, lit 3 candles and got quiet for about 15 minutes - it was wonderful. Afterwards I went to the office to write a minute and had an email from a young woman asking for prayer because of a bad family situation... she was one of the ones I had been holding in the light.

Posted by: aola at April 30, 2007 12:36 PM

I posted recently about my praying for strangers and folks I barely know. I have enjoyed the experience. Lovely pictures, as always!

Posted by: Cynthia at April 30, 2007 03:53 PM

As a Christian, I find this encouraging and powerful.

Thanks...I'll try it...

Posted by: beth at April 30, 2007 08:58 PM

My friends and I call it Soaking. I spent an hour last night doing this very thing and listening. I'm at peace just reading about it. I hope it catches on!

Posted by: Candy at May 1, 2007 12:02 PM