Reflections On The Metta Sutta For Challenging Times

If we can take to heart the words of the Metta Sutta, the Buddha's words on Loving Kindness, and daily try to put these urgings into practice, we will take up the greatest task of our time, that of overcoming fear and mistrust by spreading kindness and love in our troubled world. The reflection includes a wish for every one 
based loosely around the much-loved and often repeated Metta Sutta of the Buddha. Photo by Yang Liu on Unsplash

Transcript

Dear friends,

There is no need for me to tell you that we are living in difficult and uncertain times.

Of course,

We have been through some worrisome times before.

And indeed,

For many people,

These times,

Worrying as they may be for us,

Simply represent the daily grind for others.

Others who have faced poverty and insecurity,

Day in and day out,

All their lives.

Our situation calls for the widespread promotion of the practice of loving-kindness.

Happiness is not achieved by being the richest or the strongest.

It's not achieved by having more.

Most of us have more than we could ever need or use.

Happiness is achieved by giving,

By loving,

By acts of compassion and by extending our arms in friendship.

The human race has never had such capacity.

Turned in the right direction,

We have the power to transform this wonderful planet into a paradise for all.

Faced with this possibility for greatness,

What is it that has gotten into our psyche that has us spending vast sums on weapons which,

If used,

Will bring about the destruction of all of us?

There has to be a better way.

And surely the uncertainty of these days will lead us to find that better way.

For now,

We face a challenge.

We live in a time when news of suffering reaches us daily.

We read headlines of war,

Displacement and inhumanity,

Not to mention the ever-present spectre of climate change.

The headlines are the cause of pain for so many people we know and love,

And they add to the hidden fears we each carry within ourselves.

Even when our own lives are relatively safe or secure,

Our nervous systems must be affected by the awfulness which we see and hear around us.

So it's only natural to feel anxious,

Angry or overwhelmed,

As I did myself looking at the news headlines this morning.

In these times,

As in past difficult times,

We must watch out for the green shoots of spring,

And they are there.

Looking beyond the headlines,

I saw them myself this morning.

So many people are working for justice and peace,

So many witnessing to kindness and love.

They give us hope,

Reminding us that the darkest hours are just before dawn.

Our discovery of the green shoots will be aided by holding on to positivity,

And extending loving-kindness in each of our own areas of influence.

The Buddha didn't teach loving-kindness because the world around him was peaceful.

When has our world ever been totally at peace?

He taught loving-kindness because his world,

Like our own,

Must have been filled with uncertainty and pain.

The Buddha offers us the words of the Metta Sutta,

Encouraging us to work for good no matter what.

We all want to be safe.

All of us wish to be free from fear.

Everyone seeks for happiness,

But not always in a way that will bring it about.

We look around and we see fear,

People treating others as lesser people,

Lesser beings,

Because they have the misguided idea that there is not enough to go around.

Even though logic tells us that the cake is large enough for all of us to share.

This fear and resentment of the other results in an us-and-them type of attitude.

We are the worthy ones,

The others are unworthy.

The result is that our world is divided between the few who have more than enough,

And the many who have only a small share of the cake,

If indeed they have anything at all.

The practice of loving-kindness helps to bring down these barriers.

It reminds us of our common,

Shared humanity.

It encourages us to place ourselves in the shoes of the other person,

Feeling their pain and understanding their suffering and worries.

In the Metta Sutta,

Loving-kindness is compared to the love of a mother for her only child.

It reminds us of the power of love.

If we can take to heart the words of the Metta Sutta,

And daily try to put these urgings into practice,

We will take up the greatest task of our time,

Overcoming fear and mistrust by spreading kindness and love.

So now a wish for each and everyone,

Based loosely around the much-loved and often-repeated version of the Metta Sutta of the Buddha,

The Buddha's words on loving-kindness.

There is a practice available if we seek genuine peace,

And wish to benefit ourselves and others.

Let us be competent and truthful in our actions.

Let us speak with warmth and compassion,

And not allow pride or arrogance to cloud our motives.

As seekers of peace,

We must live simply.

Finding contentment by gratefully noticing our abundance.

Let us try to live uncomplicated lives,

Moderating our desires.

Finding an undisturbed inner calm,

Let us act with wisdom.

Let us not be aggressive in manner,

Or grasping in our relationships with others.

As seekers of genuine peace,

We should never engage in behaviour that a reasonable person would find harmful or wrong.

And we remember the Buddha's wish,

That every being shall find happiness and safety.

That every heart may experience genuine inner peace.

That each and every one will experience true well-being.

This to be the experience of not just some,

But all.

All living beings without exception.

The vulnerable,

As well as the powerful.

All creatures from the largest to the smallest.

The beings we can see,

And those invisible to us.

Those nearby,

And those in faraway places.

Those already born,

And those yet to appear in this world.

May each and every one experience true well-being.

Let us dedicate ourselves to the virtue of truth,

Never deceiving one another.

Let us never look down upon anyone else,

Regardless of their circumstances.

May we never,

Through anger or resentment,

Wish suffering upon anyone at all.

Consider this,

The relationship between a parent and a child.

Just as a parent naturally protects their young,

Cherishing their child's welfare above all else,

We should develop this same boundless care for all living beings.

We should extend loving-kindness to the entire world.

To those above and below.

Stretching loving-kindness out in every direction.

East,

West,

North,

South,

Without limit or exception.

Let our hearts remain ever free from envy or hatred.

Instead,

Let them be open and accepting.

Let every one of us,

Whether we are standing,

Walking,

Sitting or resting,

Throughout all our waking hours,

Maintain an awareness and a desire for universal compassion.

This is what might be called the divine way of living.

The Buddha tells us that when we release our attachment to rigid ideologies,

When we live ethically and see clearly,

When we free ourselves from slavery to material goods and sensory cravings,

We will break the cycle of suffering and avoid being reborn into confusion.

May it be so.

Namaste.

Reviews

As always, I receive so much love from you and am inspired by your work, Tony! I am particularly moved by this session and your advice to listen without judgement and observe and ask questions. Thank you for sharing ❣️

So much goodness in this talk 💙 I shall listen to it many times to take it in ♥️ thank you again and again 💜

Exactly what we need to remember. Thank you for this.

A thoughtful and gentle start to the day with this lovely insight and prayer. 🙏

Thank you, Tony, for this timely offering which offers hope and comfort and shows us the way in these difficult times.

Oh Tony this is what the world needs to hear, see, and do. It’s people like you who are the first spark in spreading love and kindness and making our world a better place. You are such an inspiration to all and you spread so much joy. If we all do a fraction of what you do it would help change our world.
Thank you. 💕🙏🏻

Thank you Tony for this timely reminder of what we need in these tough times. An important message for us all to remember there is a better way 🙏

May the loving kindness of the many reach and win over the solipsistic few and recreate our community.. Namaste 🤓🙏🏻🍀💚

Dear Tony
I love the “ look for the green shoots “ idea.
The current state of world affairs is very overwhelming. Grma for putting it so well.
Grma and I hope life is peacefully going in wonderful Dublin for you and Fran.
🌿🙏🏼💚🙏🏼🌿

Thank you teacher Tony! This is just what my soul and spirit needs to take in today—in these frightful times worldwide. Let peace and loving kindness begin with me. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❗️

Tony, this is a message that the whole world needs now! Thank you for your role in helping to spread the word.

Powerful talk Tony. I’m going to listen again but wow, you made some very good points. Definitely goes along with so many teachers offering up the Buddha’s teaching about suffering since the temperature of the world seems to be at high suffering-or maybe it’s just us here in the USA.
Thank you for these impactful words and essential teachings.
🐝🎁🪬🐾🌈🐕🌷🌹❤️‍🔥🦋🙏🏽🌼💖🌺🌿🪴🌱

Thank you for sharing such words of wisdom.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be filled with joy.
May you be peaceful
So it is
Namaste 🙏✨️🪷

Thank you Tony. This was perfectly timed, because I have been quite overwhelmed with the state of things and everything being out of control that all I can do is just pray and hope for the best. Be kind where I can and help where I can. Today I vow to turn off the distractions and connect with myself. Many blessings to you.

Much needed words of wisdom and comfort, as well as hope, during these challenging times. Thank you! 🙏🏼

Thank you for sharing this and reminding us, to be loving and kind

I enjoyed this meditation to join in and be one sharing kindness love with understanding with graditude. Thankyou

Thank you so much as always Tony. You’re like a breath of fresh air and green Spring shoots; super soothing and nourishing amidst the chaos all around. Here’s to loving kindness as we go in to another year together in friendship. New year greetings to you and yours and much gratitude.

Dear Tony - thank you for this reminder of loving kindness. May it reach far into the world. ❤️

I too feel anxious, angry and hopeless about recent world events. This beautiful metta practice is so calming and helps to focus on the good in each of us. Thank you Tony for all your positivity 🙏🏻