Jack Kornfield, founder of Spirit Rock meditation center and one of the principal bringers of vipassana meditation to the west, once found himself having to explain, at length, to the Dalai Lama how it could be that, in the West, an individual could not like himself, could find herself unworthy of others’ love, or could stumble at the first step of the metta meditation as it is taught here: “May I be happy, may I be free of suffering, may I find contentment and ease.”
There may be many explanations for why this is such a widespread phenomenon, but rather than looking to the causes, Lama John Makransky has spent years of deep study in buddhism and psychology finding a way of opening us up to a non-egoic path to self love. And even if we are at ease with the metta meditation, and not caught in self-deprecation, this can bring us real benefit.
Michael A guides our reflections this Sunday, utilizing Lama John’s guided meditations, designed to open this aspect of the whole person.
The materials on which this Sunday’s presentation is based can be found on the website of the Foundation for Active Compassion.
Lama John Makransky’s framing talk and guided meditation are contained within the first session of a seven-week course he gave at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, spring/summer 2020.
https://foundationforactivecompassion.org/media/watch/a-secure-core-of-compassion-and-awareness-for-insecure-times/
The introductory frame and guided meditation are from 4:52 to 39:00 and Makransky’s follow-up review/reflection continues to 49:00.
Lama John also refers to printed instructions which can help recall the details of practice for this and subsequent meditations. Those instructions of the various phases and varieties of this meditative tradition can be found here:
https://foundationforactivecompassion.org/media/read/meditations-of-sustainable-compassion-and-wisdom/
At the bottom of the frame is a downloadable practice guide for the entire path of this practice. Read the tips at the end of the practice guide, and then take it slow, cultivating a thorough practice.
Burlington Buddhist Sangha 