Metta/Loving Kindness

The world might seem a little chaotic or scary sometimes, and finding moments of peace and connection can be a sanity saver. We're constantly bombarded with stimuli, leaving us feeling stressed, scattered, and disconnected from ourselves and others. But what if there was a way to cultivate inner peace, foster compassion, and deepen your connection to the world around you? There are many, but let's consider the powerful combination of Metta meditation and yoga.

These two ancient practices, originating from Buddhist and Indian traditions respectively, beautifully complement each other, offering a holistic approach to wellbeing. While yoga cultivates strength, flexibility, and balance, Metta, also known as loving-kindness meditation, cultivates mental and emotional wellbeing by fostering feelings of love, compassion, and kindness towards oneself and all beings.

What is Metta Meditation?
At its core, Metta meditation is a practice of cultivating loving-kindness. It involves silently repeating phrases of well-wishing, starting with yourself and gradually extending outward to loved ones, neutral individuals, difficult people, and eventually, all beings. These phrases often include the following or similar phrases:

• "May I/you be well."
• "May I/you be peaceful and at ease."
• "May I/you be happy."
• "May I/you be free from suffering."

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The beauty of Metta lies in its simplicity. It's accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience. By consistently practicing, you can gradually shift your mindset from one of judgment and negativity to one of acceptance, compassion, and love.

How Yoga Complements Metta Meditation:
While Metta meditation focuses on the inner world, yoga provides a powerful foundation. The physical postures (asanas) help to release tension, improve circulation, and create a sense of groundedness and heightened awareness. This grounded awareness makes it easier to access and cultivate the feelings of loving-kindness in Metta meditation.

Here's how the two practices intertwine:

• Preparing the Body: Yoga asanas can prepare the body for meditation by releasing physical tension that might hinder mental focus. A gentle flow or restorative poses can create a sense of calm and openness, making it easier to settle into a meditative state.
• Cultivating Mindfulness: Both yoga and Metta meditation are practices of mindfulness. Yoga encourages you to be present in your body, noticing sensations and breath. This heightened awareness translates beautifully into Metta meditation, allowing you to more deeply connect with the feelings of loving-kindness.
• Extending Compassion: Just as you extend compassion to yourself in Metta meditation, yoga encourages self-care and acceptance of your body's limitations. This self-compassion can then be extended outwards to others.
• Integrating the Practices: You can incorporate Metta phrases into your yoga practice. While holding a pose, you can silently repeat the phrases, directing loving-kindness towards yourself and others. This integration deepens the experience of both practices.

We often incorporate Metta practice into our February classes, when we are focused on heart opening, compassion, love, and devotion.