“Keep sitting - keep smiling”

Mindfulness for Recovery

Loving Kindness - Metta

As addicts we often indulge in self loathing.  We harbour harsh thoughts and feelings about ourselves. Many people experience these feeling to a greater or lesser degree, but with addicts these are greatly amplified.  These negative thoughts and feeling are so overwhelming that when combined with our cravings we can't and often refuse to see that there is a skilful way out.

This door to relapse can be closed by practicing Loving-kindness. We can learn not to judge ourselves - to be gentle and kind to ourselves - as we are - here and now.

Whether you are an addict or not, you should remember the Buddha’s teaching that you can search the whole tenfold Universe but you will still not find a single Being more deserving of your Loving-kindness than the one right here - you.

The  regular practice of loving-kindness meditation lifts my self-esteem and promotes my well-being, and the well-being of all those around me.
 

“Searching all directions with your awareness,
you find no one dearer than yourself.
In the same way,
others are thickly dear to themselves.
So you shouldn't hurt others if you love yourself”.

[Buddha : The Rājan Sutta: The King] 

Related resources:

Topics for contemplation & investigation : Loving-kindness (Metta)

Webpage : "There is no one dearer to me than myself." - The Rājan Sutta: The King

Audio Link : Metta a guided meditation by Gil Fronsdal  (27:55)

Audio Link : Metta a talk by Gil Fronsdal  (34:14)

Webpage : Loving-kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness - Sharon Saltzberg  proclaims the healing power of Metta practice.

Webpage : Loving-kindness Meditation Practice by Jack Kornfield

Webpage : The Blessings of Recovery

Please note that this page and the linked pages below are a ‘work in progress’ so please check back here from time-to-time for updates.

[Mindful Recovery Home] [Foundations of Buddhist Recovery] [The Truth of Addiction] [Harm Reduction and Relapse Prevention] [Meditation and Mindful Recover] [Sila Forgiveness Meditation] [Healing the Past] [Loving Kindness - Metta] [Commitment and Ethics] [Notes on Sajja : As Practiced at Thamkrabok Monastery] [A Sajja Vow] [One Day at a Time - Sajja Vow] [The  purpose of Buddhist moral precepts] [The Healing Power of the Precepts] [The Five Mindfulness Trainings] [A Discipline of Sobriety] [A Simple Guide to Life] [Being Human Mindfully] [The Precepts in Recovery] [The Rahula Rules] [Forgiveness Meditation Practice] [The Practice of Metta] [The Blessings of Recovery] [Taking the Five Precepts]