Who Hates the Metta Bhavana?
A six-week course in emotional strength
Starts Tue 29 Sep | 7.15pm - 9.45pm | In person and online
Led by Jnanavaca and Bodhimati
A Practical Course in Mindfulness
Led by Maitreyabandhu, Amalashri and Jayada
Eight weeks | Starts Wed 4 Feb | 7.15–9.45pm | In person or online
To make a difference in the world, we need a certain strength of heart – an ability to respond to life with openness and creativity. One of the most effective ways to develop this fundamental quality is through the Metta Bhavana (‘cultivation of loving-kindness’) meditation practice.
Many of us struggle with the Metta Bhavana, and sometimes even give up on it. On this course, you’ll learn a fresh approach to the practice, designed to help you discover just how powerful – and beautiful – it can be.
Course Description
Our natural tendency when we practise the Metta Bhavana is to try to force feelings of loving-kindness to arise. It can start to feel like we’re squeezing the last bit of toothpaste from the tube. Before long, practising in this way leaves us feeling frustrated and despirited.
At the outset of this course, you’ll be invited to forget everything you know about the Metta Bhavana, and start again with a blank slate. Guided by Jnanavaca – a senior Order member who has been practising the Metta Bhavana for more than 30 years – we will then build the practice up one element at a time, first developing a strong basis of receptive awareness and ending by opening up to a universal compassion beyond our ordinary consciousness.
Structure of the Course
Week 1
Forget what you know
Week 2
Staying with sensations
Week 3
Facing difficult emotions
Week 4
Activating loving-kindness
Week 5
Discover a more subtle experience
Week 6
Surrendering to something bigger
Is this course for me?
This is a course with depth and breadth, that all meditators can benefit from. It is for you if you have learned the Metta Bhavana as taught at the London Buddhist Centre and want to go deeper – whether you hate it, love it, or somewhere in between.
Testimonials
Led by
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the most from the course?
Here are some top tips for taking part:
Come every week – whether you feel like it or not. If you look for motivation before you do something, you reverse your motivation; mostly you only want to do something when you’re actually doing it.
Come early – so you can lie down in the shrine room and have a nap, you probably need it and you’ll get more from the class if you do.
Do your ‘home practice’ every day – then each week you’ll be in a small group to check in about how that went.
What if I can’t make every session?
Do sign-up even if you know you can’t make every session, as you will be able to catch-up from the weekly emails.
If you are going to miss a class – email the home group leader so we know and can let others know. And do come back the following week. Don’t feel guilty for not having attended, just come back and start again.
How to take part if I bought the online element?
You will receive a welcome email with a zoom link and all the details.
What if I can’t afford it?
If money is a barrier to you booking on a course, we would be happy to discuss other ways to help you book on. You can use the Low Income Rate or contact the bookings office:
bookings@lbc.org.uk02087099978(10am-5pm weekdays)
You can read more information about payments and cancellations on our Bookings Policy page here.
