Metta Practice

[Tin_Sandwich]

I have seen a few metta requests and I am unsure of what metta practice is and how to do it. Please tell me. Gassho Steve

[Mp]

Hey there Steve,

Have a look at this thread on Metta Practice ... if you have any questions, please let us know. =)

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?6020-RECOMMENDED-DAILY-Metta-PRACTICE

Gassho
Shingen

Sat Today

[Nindo]

Hi Steve,
I call it "keeping somebody in my heart". It can be as simple as taking a moment to think about somebody dear, somebody in need (due to sickness or other hardship), or even somebody who is difficult for you, and to wish them well from your heart in your own words.

Or it can be part of a period of zazen, at the beginning or end, using verses like in the thread that Shingen pointed at. The practice usually starts with wishing oneself well, because we need to take good care of ourselves, too, if we want to be of service to others.

At first it may feel weird, but keep doing it. At the same time, allow your feelings about it to arise without judgement.

Metta requests are often posted when sangha members encounter serious illness, loss or other issues for themselves, family or friends. Then those who read and reply can take a pause in their day to hold this situation in their hearts and wish well.
Hope this makes sense.

Gassho,
Nindo
sattoday

[Jishin]

Hi Steve,
I call it "keeping somebody in my heart". It can be as simple as taking a moment to think about somebody dear, somebody in need (due to sickness or other hardship), or even somebody who is difficult for you, and to wish them well from your heart in your own words.

Or it can be part of a period of zazen, at the beginning or end, using verses like in the thread that Shingen pointed at. The practice usually starts with wishing oneself well, because we need to take good care of ourselves, too, if we want to be of service to others.

At first it may feel weird, but keep doing it. At the same time, allow your feelings about it to arise without judgement.

Metta requests are often posted when sangha members encounter serious illness, loss or other issues for themselves, family or friends. Then those who read and reply can take a pause in their day to hold this situation in their hearts and wish well.
Hope this makes sense.

Gassho,
Nindo
sattoday

Thank you for this post. It makes sense.

Gassho, Jishin

#SatToday

[Jundo]

Hi Steve,
I call it "keeping somebody in my heart". It can be as simple as taking a moment to think about somebody dear, somebody in need (due to sickness or other hardship), or even somebody who is difficult for you, and to wish them well from your heart in your own words.

Or it can be part of a period of zazen, at the beginning or end, using verses like in the thread that Shingen pointed at. The practice usually starts with wishing oneself well, because we need to take good care of ourselves, too, if we want to be of service to others.

At first it may feel weird, but keep doing it. At the same time, allow your feelings about it to arise without judgement.

Metta requests are often posted when sangha members encounter serious illness, loss or other issues for themselves, family or friends. Then those who read and reply can take a pause in their day to hold this situation in their hearts and wish well.
Hope this makes sense.

Gassho,
Nindo
sattoday

Lovely.

People often ask me if I believe Metta really works and is helpful, even across great distances. Well, I say this ...

If one is filled with anger, hate and ill will, it is easy to see how that infects the space, situations and people immediately around us who must deal with us. It can even damage folks and infect relationships with family and friends at great distances, even if we only communicate sometimes. But further, it brings a bit more ugliness and separation into this world in general, and our doing so adds just a touch more bitterness to the society we all share as residents of the world near and far. These days, a fellow who does a violent act or speaks a hurtful word in one city far away can cause ripples of violence and hurt far across the world ... just open the newspaper or internet and you will see countless examples of this spread of the effects of greed, anger and ignorance like great waves circling the world.

So, just the same when we bring a touch of loving kindness, sympathy, well wishes, peace, charity and the like into this life.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

[Mp]

Hello again Steve,

Also one of the things I do is when I am out and about in life and I see someone who is struggling or suffering, I whisper under my breathe, but from my heart, "I wish you peace, I wish you happiness". It's a small gesture, but can have huge benefits to both you and the person(s) you are doing it for. =)

Gassho
Shingen

Sat Today

[Tin_Sandwich]

Thank you for your comments they have been very helpful.

Gassho
Steve

[Anshu Bryson]

Lovely.

People often ask me if I believe Metta really works and is helpful, even across great distances. Well, I say this ...

If one is filled with anger, hate and ill will, it is easy to see how that infects the space, situations and people immediately around us who must deal with us. It can even damage folks and infect relationships with family and friends at great distances, even if we only communicate sometimes. But further, it brings a bit more ugliness and separation into this world in general, and our doing so adds just a touch more bitterness to the society we all share as residents of the world near and far. These days, a fellow who does a violent act or speaks a hurtful word in one city far away can cause ripples of violence and hurt far across the world ... just open the newspaper or internet and you will see countless examples of this spread of the effects of greed, anger and ignorance like great waves circling the world.

So, just the same when we bring a touch of loving kindness, sympathy, well wishes, peace, charity and the like into this life.

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday

Hi Jundo,

While I am all about 'loving kindness', and certainly think that direct kindness (whether tangible assistance or just an encouraging word) is one of the MOST important things we can do, the 'metta by proxy' concept - for example (but not restricted to), someone making a metta request on behalf of a sick relative or friend and us 'sending' metta though the interwebs - seems a little like intercessory prayer to me (which, without wanting to seem insensitive to the feelings or beliefs of others, would appear to me on the balance of evidence, to not work...). I don't deny that it might make me feel better, or the person making the request, or even the recipient in some limited cases (if the requester goes back and says "hey, all these folk sent good wishes for your speedy recovery", for example), but I am a skeptic when it comes to me 'sending out the good vibes over distance', with no physical link in between. Again, I don't mean to annoy folks who might feel different about this, I am just putting it out there...

Gassho,

Bryson

[Jundo]

Hi Jundo,

While I am all about 'loving kindness', and certainly think that direct kindness (whether tangible assistance or just an encouraging word) is one of the MOST important things we can do, the 'metta by proxy' concept - for example (but not restricted to), someone making a metta request on behalf of a sick relative or friend and us 'sending' metta though the interwebs - seems a little like intercessory prayer to me (which, without wanting to seem insensitive to the feelings or beliefs of others, would appear to me on the balance of evidence, to not work...). I don't deny that it might make me feel better, or the person making the request, or even the recipient in some limited cases (if the requester goes back and says "hey, all these folk sent good wishes for your speedy recovery", for example), but I am a skeptic when it comes to me 'sending out the good vibes over distance', with no physical link in between. Again, I don't mean to annoy folks who might feel different about this, I am just putting it out there...

Gassho,

Bryson

Hi Bryson,

Oh, I feel pretty much the same way, and I am rather skeptical of the actual physical effects of "prayer/metta at a distance" and such. Could be, but I see no verifiable evidence for that.

But can I make a brief case that Practices such as Metta may serve a very real human function, and benefit both oneself and others in the greater society? I am watching an interesting documentary called "I am", which includes interviews with noted figures about fixing the problems in the world. Listen from about the 28:00 mark here, discussing mirror neurons and empathy (some of the images are a bit shocking though), thru the discussion about Jonathan Haidt on the effect on each of us of witnessing compassionate responses by others, up to about the 33:00 minute mark. Note that, beyond the personal effect and good feeling from witnessing compassion, it also performs a true function to unite and build community and spread positive effects widely in society. (Shortly before, the film contains a discussion of the often overlooked fact that Darwin, in his writings, emphasized the natural capacity of creatures for cooperation and compassion even more than competition for survival")

Gassho, J

JUNDO NOTE: HOWEVER, SEE MY NOTE BELOW CAUTIONING ABOUT SOME OTHER MATERIAL IN THE ABOVE FILM.

[Anshu Bryson]

Hi Bryson,

Oh, I feel pretty much the same way, and I am rather skeptical of the actual physical effects of "prayer at a distance" and such. Could be, but I see no verifiable evidence for that.

But can I make a brief case that Practices such as Metta may serve a very real human function, and benefit both oneself and others? I am watching an interesting documentary called "I am", which includes interviews with noted figures about fixing the problems in the world. Listen from about the 28:00 mark here, discussing mirror neurons and empathy (some of the images are a bit shocking though), thru the discussion about Jonathan Haidt on the effect on each of us of witnessing compassionate responses by others, up to about the 33:00 minute mark. Note that, beyond the personal effect and good feeling from witnessing compassion, it also performs a true function to unite and build community and spread positive effects widely in society.

Gassho, J

Hi Jundo,

Absolutely. As I tried to say in part of that last post, I have no doubt that there is a positive effect on the giver and the direct receiver (and I would of course extend that to anyone in the loop of those communications/relations). It is just the 'prayer-like' communications I am skeptical about. I think I am singing off the same song sheet... (Always open to whatever is actually right; but, to date, the evidence I have seen has overwhelmingly been against the 'prayer model'...)

Gassho,

Bryson

sat today

[Risho]

What an awesome thread! I agree with these posts. I agree with the skepticism, and I agree with Jundo's response. I feel the same way about the Bodhisattva Vows, Verse of Atonement and the Heart Sutra. They are not magical. They aren't curing cancer or stopping wars, but I think that by reciting these that we input positive ways of relating to the world and ourselves. In that way, those changes could one day help us to become more peaceful. We influence others, and others influence us. If we live our lives asleep (and everyone does at some time or another) we easily creep into more negative habits, sometimes without even noticing them. Sidetopic 1: I think the precepts help us stay aware of ourselves to help prevent from slipping into these... like bad habits of fuming over bad traffic, adding fuel to the fire when criticizing someone we don't like etc. But if we change our behavior, or not even let that crap in, it impacts others. They may see our example as a positive way; and I'm not suggesting we go around thinking we are better than anyone else; I don't mean it that way. I simply mean that our practice includes practices (for lack of a better word) to keep us from going down slippery, harmful slopes.

It's sort of like the "garbage in, garbage out" theory. A lot of our beliefs, etc. are a result of the mental input we are barraged with daily (some that we not be aware of like you aren't as attractive without these clothes or this car or this new laptop, etc), so why not barrage ourself with a more positive way of looking at things? I am not, by the way, reducing this to some self-help crap. What self to help? hahahaha

But I mean, if we get ourselves in a new mode of causing less suffering that does extend to people we interact with in the world. Sidetopic: Isn't that a way of saving all sentient beings? Of course we can't save everyone, but it humbles us to continue practicing with even the minimal amounts of sentient beings we encounter. And then those sentient beings interact with others. Humanity is a domino effect. We can choose to cause chaos or heal, the choice is ours.

Wow, I'm sorry that last line sounded so syrupy. hahaha

So chanting the heart sutra, bodhisattva vows, verse of atonement, sandokai.. those are visceral and mental reminders of this practice, and I think they sort of seep into our being and change us for the better, although I have no scientific backing for this.


Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

[Myosha]

Hello,

Metta to all.


Gassho,
Myosha sat today

[Nameless]

The mind is an amazing thing. If someone is sick and they know people are praying for them and sending metta... This could have a profound healing effect. It could do so by lifting their mood (stress and depression are harmful to the immune system) or via the placebo effect. The placebo effect, the mind, sometimes heals 50% of patients. Even if they know they're taking a placebo

I'm a skeptic too but, then again, who knows? The metta chant can definitely help us let go of some hatred though. Used to despise my uncle. So I included him in the metta chant. Now, no more hatred.

Gassho, John
Sat Today

[Anshu Bryson]

Hello,

Metta to all.


Gassho,
Myosha sat today

And also with you, Myosha!

Gassho,

Bryson

sat today

[Jundo]

Another example of how Metta may have a real and measurable effect across vast distances ... at least from a Buddhist Perspective. Please follow this reasoning (at least, Zen "non-Reasoning" ), Bryson.

Yesterday, I saw a tragic story in the news which touched my heart. A mother and her two sons were killed when a plane crashed into their house near Washington D.C., leaving a widowed father and one surviving young son. I was heartbroken. There was also nothing I could do to help these people, of course. I do not even know them, and they are on the other side of the world from here in Japan. So, it seems that all I can do is offer "Metta" and such, wishing the survivors to be free of suffering. How ineffectual in purely physical terms!

But then I read this note that the father posted on facebook:

“No words can describe the enormity of our loss and sadness over yesterday’s tragedy. We lost Marie, the love of my life and college sweetheart, and our two young, innocent and joyful sons- a loss that no person should ever endure. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, and my daughter and I are appreciative for the prayers and well wishes from friends, neighbors and the community. We also appreciate the dedication and hard work of the firefighters, police and other first responders who did everything in their power to try to save my family during this horrific event.

Now, here is the funny thing. First, just knowing that people, even unseen strangers, are offering things like prayers and well wishes seems to offer some small drop of comfort to this family.

Next, my offering Metta may soften my heart such that if, sometime in the future, I see someone in my own community whom I can physically help ... a cold homeless man, another parent and child in need ... maybe I will be able to physically help them in a more "solid" way. There is my chance to actually do something! Wishing well to and feeling compassion for the people across the world, I prepare my heart to take action here where I can.

But next (and here is where the Mahayana "logic-non-logic" comes in ... in a "self and others are not two" way ) ... in a very real sense, the family in Washington, the homeless man and families here in my own community are not two. Helping here, I help there. She is not me nor you, nor is "here" the same as "there" (of course!) yet She -is- We -is- I -is- You ... Helping Them, I help All. When I help the homeless man or people in my town, I help the fathers and sons everywhere. I am a "first responder".

Further, in a very real sense, the hands of the "firefighters, police and other first responders" are the hands of the praying and well-wishing "friends, neighbors and the community", your hands and mine. We are that poor family, and they are us and our closest loved ones, not two. I speak not only about us as some shared "community" or as "citizens of the same society" (although there is most certainly that aspect too), but in a most intimate sense from a Buddhist Perspective. They flow into you and you into them.

It is a bit hard to understand, but I wrote this once about Kannon of 1000 Arms ... Kannon is often depicted with 1000 arms and eyes, seeing and reaching out toward suffering wherever it manifests. Truly, those hands and eyes are OUR hands and eyes each time we act with Compassion.



A little more here ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?7689-Sit-a-Long-with-Jundo-Zazen-for-Beginners-%28Part-XVII%29&highlight=kannon

Gassho, J