The practice of metta is a journey to the center of the heart. Whether cultivating metta in daily life or in retreat, metta offers protection from being caught in an adversarial view of life. Likened to a soft rain, it relaxes the painful grip of fear and ill will. As a result, metta engenders greater trust in ourselves and others, increasing our ability to support the greater good that exists in each moment.

The Buddha taught metta or lovingkindness as a complimentary practice to Insight Meditation (Vipassana). Working together, they serve to awaken powerful healing energies that brighten and lift the mind to increasing levels of well-being, from which compassion, appreciative-joy and equanimity flow like a gentle river into our everyday lives.