At 4pm on Saturday November 21 all participants of the International Urban retreat 2015 are invited to take part in a practice of the Metta Bhavana - the Development of Loving Kindness meditation.
We suggest you practice this traditional meditation practice a little differently to how it is normally done.
Stage 1: Start by getting in contact with a heartfelt wish for well being and happiness for yourself
Stage 2: Then extend your metta, your goodwill and wish for their happiness, to a good friend
Stage 3: In this stage we send metta to the sangha we are either meditating with at this moment in time; or to the people in our lives who share our values and our desire to practice.
Stage 4: Then continue by including all the other sanghas across the globe who are also spending this day preparing for a week of more intensive practice at home & work; as well as all the individuals who are taking part in this Urban Retreat in different parts of the world: as part of this stage you may wish to read out, slowly, the list of all the Triratna Centres and groups, and send each group people metta: may they have a transformative and enjoyable week. May they succeed in changing their lives for the better. May they have the friends and support that we each need for our practice. May dharma practice thrive around the world!
Stage 5: Bring to mind all beings everywhere. Human and non-human, may they be happy and free from suffering! From whatever country or culture they stem, in all the corners of the earth, may they be old or young, men and women, strong or weak -may all beings be happy in their heart of hearts!