Having trouble cultivating metta for myself..

Sabre

I can't use the LOVE button below my own posts ;)
This is a serious limitation of my right to cultivate loving kindness towards myself. :p

Ok, move on! Nothing to see here. :om:

federica

wait until someone praises you, then love that post..... Love is like manure, it's more beneficial if it's spread around.

taiyaki

I look at the sky, the flowers, anything.

The warmth is all there. Love that isn't directed. But just this warmth, this embrace.

Its very saddening and at the same time brings joy.

Read some rumi, hafiz, kabir. You are love.

taiyaki

Another thing that helps is to find any sense of warmth. Be it a youtube video, a movie, a kitten, a lover, etc. It can be a real interaction or a mental one. But regardless use whatever can ignite the heart. That will be your kindling.

And from here just keep orienting the mind towards the warmth. Build it and build it. Until the warmth encompasses your whole being.

Then everything is an act of loving kindness.

But is always starts from wherever we can find the warmth. And at times we need to go on a witch hunt. But if you're really keen and willing. The flame is always in the center of the heart. We just haven't given it any attention.

Wish ya luck!

Sabre

taiyaki I was making a joke ;) In reality I have no problems with metta.

Thanks for the replies, though. AWESOME!

taiyaki

Oh!

I am slow lmao.

Another tip for those who need it!

LAY OUT IN THE SUN. ITS WARMTH IS LOVE.

ok!

federica

Could I just say, I got it.
But that's because I am warped, probably a lot more than most members think.

Hey, even I can't believe it, sometimes.....

Rujin

Oh!

I am slow lmao.

Another tip for those who need it!

LAY OUT IN THE SUN. ITS WARMTH IS LOVE.

ok!

But use sunscreen, cuz it's rays are death.

Rujin

Could I just say, I got it.
But that's because I am warped, probably a lot more than most members think.

Hey, even I can't believe it, sometimes.....

It's okay, as long as not unpleasant.

driedleaf

So how does one cultivate metta for oneself if "self" is empty?

SpinyNorman

So how does one cultivate metta for oneself if "self" is empty?

By realising it's fine not to understand questions like this. :p

Cloud

driedleaf said:

So how does one cultivate metta for oneself if "self" is empty?

The aggregates, in other words your mind and body, are a conventional self. This is what you're cultivating metta for as opposed to some metaphysical "self" or "soul". It's the difference between "myself" and "my self".

Besides it's not "self is empty", but "the aggregates (conditioned phenomena) are empty of self". This does not mean there are no aggregates... simply that they are not independent or permanent phenomena.

driedleaf

Cloud said:

Besides it's not "self is empty", but "the aggregates (conditioned phenomena) are empty of self". This does not mean there are no aggregates... simply that they are not independent or permanent phenomena.

I have read quite the opposite from some people on here. It seems that there are many twists and turns developed from the emptiness teaching.

Cloud

@driedleaf, Interesting. I've heard a lot from people on here, but not "self is empty"... that doesn't make any sense (to me). The Buddha taught that things are "empty of self", and Mahayana expands on that with the concept of "emptiness" (which is basically dependent origination or a combination of not-self and impermanence).

Self is empty would be like saying "self is empty (of self)". The only possible way that would make sense is if the first self is conventional self, and the second one is ultimate self. That's still rather a confusing formulation.

taiyaki

Emptiness leads to the release of the heart.