Metta Meditation: Opening the Heart

Metta means loving kindness and is a simple, direct and reasonable meditation practice that opens the heart in friendliness to oneself, to others, and to all of life. When practiced mindfully, metta develops tranquility and concentration, provides a way to work with anger and fear, and serves as a means to experience the interrelatedness of life. Traditionally, metta mediation is taught by stories from personal experience - stories that elucidate the method and meaning of the practice, as well as bringing much laughter and, sometimes, poignant tears.

Sylvia Boorstein is a best-selling author and contributor to the Shambhala Sun. Her books include That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist, and the up-coming Pay Attention, For Goodness Sake. Sylvia is a psychotherapist, and is a teacher and co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin, California, as well as a senior teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, Massachusetts. She is both a sought after Buddhist teacher and an observant Jew.