What the World Needs Now is Mettā, Sweet Mettā
Continuing our holiday special of lovingkindness as bodhisattva action. We look at mettā (friendliness) as a protection spell. I told the story of the origins of mettā in the Buddha's instructions to a group of frightened forest-dwelling monks, and talked through the general structure of brahmavihāra practice—how friendliness, compassion, appreciation, and equanimity work together. Also a bit about forest spirits and all of nature as sentient. Devas love mettā.