If you’ve done loving kindness practice for a while, you have probably discovered at least one of its secrets. Metta (the Pali word for loving kindness) is a transformational practice, not for others, but for oneself. A friend and I were talking particularly about sending good wishes to a difficult person as part of the formal practice. This must be done with no hope or expectation that the difficult person will change.

In fact, the person who changes is oneself.

Over time, metta practice gradually opens the heart and chips away aversion. It is our aversion to the difficult person that makes him/her difficult. Otherwise, this person is just as s/he is. We can respond to the person’s opinions and actions in this moment without actually rejecting the person.

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.

May your candle burn bright this holiday season, may the light of your practice shine upon this world. May this time, however you spend it, be happy and peaceful.

Posted by Deb.