On Lovingkindness

Lovingkindness is an interesting word, rarely used except in Buddhist literature, as a translation of the the Pali word, 'metta'. I"ve often wondered: Why not just love, or kindness? Why the compound word, loving-kindness?

Etymologically, 'lovingkindness', was used in the King James Bible as the English translation of the Hebrew word 'Chesed'. There, it is often used to denote God's grace and charitable kindness towards its chosen people and vice-versa.

Love alone, especially the romantic kind, is targeted and directional. Lovingkindness is open--like the outward radiation of the sun's warmth, bringing benevolence to whomever it touches.

Kindness alone, is often 'selfish', done to elicit a kind of reciprocal reward. Lovingkindness on the other hand is soft and yielding, so undemanding on its recipient. It opens up the heart like an unfurling flower. In the Buddhist practice of metta-bhavana or the cultivation of lovingkindness, the practitioner learns to direct good wishes to firstly himself and then to people close to him, and then moving the circle outwards towards strangers and even enemies, culminating in its final stage towards all sentient beings in the universe.

This outward radiation process is very good for the mind, which has a tendency to be ego-driven and self-centered. Doing the practice of metta bhavana is like bending backwards to stretch your back, after a long day of being hunched over the desk. It brings balance to the soul. It dissolves congealed hatred and fear. It shines a light into the dark corners of the mind.

It is like smiling warmly from within, and then welling up onto the lips, giving the face a healthy flush. What a wonderful practice this is. Often, the beginner meditator alternates between breath and lovingkindness meditation. These practices kneads and shapes the mind into something that's soft and luminous, allowing one to see things in its true essence.

When one is infused with lovingkindess, all actions are harmonious with the world. Obstacles melt away because you are fluid and flexible in your actions, always forging a creative way forward. With lovingkindness, one is at one with the world.