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Metta Workshop

Program Type:
Teacher:
Time:10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Date:Saturday - August 3, 2019
Sessions:1
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The word “metta” is translated as lovingkindness or boundless friendliness. It is a sincere and heartfelt wish for the peace and happiness of ourselves and others. Metta is not a feeling; rather it is an intention that can be practiced and sustained. It is cultivated through a process of inclusivity, gradually expanding to include all sentient beings. Especially in times of uncertainty and pain, metta practice helps us to work with habitual patterns such as anxiety and doubt.

The Buddha taught metta as a specific antidote to fear and anger. The fruit of the systematic practice of metta is twofold: steadiness and tranquility which strengthen the mind, and sensitivity and openness which soften the heart. In cultivating metta, we directly experience a fundamental kindness as the very ground of our being. It is an invaluable practice in the midst of the unexpected changes in life.

This program is appropriate for both new and experienced meditators and will include specific instructions, guided practice and time for questions and discussion.

Note: You will have the opportunity to practice what you learn in this workshop on Sunday, October 6th when Narayan will offer a one-day Metta Practice Retreat.

There are no prerequisites for this program. Everyone is welcome.

Workshops

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in and to find a comfortable place in the meditation hall.
  • Parking at CIMC is limited; we suggest taking public transportation to the Center whenever possible.
  • Lunch will not be provided. Participants are invited to bring their own vegetarian meal to the Center or may buy lunch in the neighborhood. A list of local restaurants and food stores will be available.
  • Food and beverages, including water, are not allowed in the meditation halls.
  • We strongly recommend you dress in layers since the temperature in the meditation hall will vary throughout the day. The hall thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature; however, please give yourself a range of clothing options, as individual preferences for warmth or coolness differ widely and cannot be accommodated.
  • Please be sure to leave shoes on the shoe shelves on the first floor, and to keep your valuables with you at all times.
  • CIMC provides zafus (round cushions), zabutons (large mats), meditation benches, blankets and chairs for your use. At the end of the program, we request that participants brush off their zabuton and plump up their zafu. All other items should be returned neatly to where they were found.
  • While at the Center all phones, pagers, beeping watches and other electronic devices must remain completely turned off at all times.
  • Some people who practice at the Center have chemical sensitivities or environmental illnesses and experience adverse reactions when exposed to scented products. CIMC is a refuge. Out of compassion for those with chemical sensitivities, please avoid using scented products—lotions, deodorant, after-shave, hair products, perfume, clothes laundered with scented detergent or dryer sheets—before you come to the Center.