Action: Something New

Last time, I wrote about Jack Kornfield’s summary of the major traditions of Buddhism, his version of the practice of mindfulness meditation (Beginner’s guide to Buddhism, Louisville, USA: Sounds True 2002), and how none of this seemed to give me the answer I was seeking of how to get through the day without screaming due to the fiery furnace of pain in which I was immersed on account of the condition known as Fibromyaligia.

Kornfield then introduced another kind of meditation, however, called “loving-kindness meditation,” also known as “metta” in the Pali language (the language of the Buddhist scriptures upon which the Theravada version of Buddhism is largely based).

He began with, “[the] practice of mindful attention and mindful freedom is balanced with the practice of loving compassion,” and went on to assert, “it is possible to reawaken and strengthen [the] innate compassion that is a part of every human heart.”

Okay, I was with him so far, and though I couldn’t see what good it would do me, at least it was something new to try.

But then, he added, “to do this practice brings happiness and joy,” which immediately sparked my interest.

“One traditionally begins by reflecting on the benefits of a loving heart,” he said.

“When the heart becomes full of loving kindness (said the Buddhist text), our dreams become sweet, we fall asleep more easily and waken contented. We have good health. Angels will love and protect us and men and women will love us as well. It’s said that as the heart deepens in loving kindness people will welcome us everywhere. Our thoughts become pleasant; our voice is sweeter and our children are happy in the womb and growing up; [and], dangers will not harm us. If we fall off a cliff a tree will be there to catch us, and we will bring the blessings of compassion to whatever we touch.”

If all this sounds implausible to you, just imagine how it sounded to me, but ohhhhh, if only!!! Nevertheless, I laughed, and thought, ‘yeah, right. Pull the other one!’ (rolled eyes)

On the other hand, I had nothing to lose except my agony; so . . . next time, I will take up the story again, with the details of this practice, as explained and demonstrated by Jack Kornfield.