RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Lovingkindness
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Whatever you intend,
whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will
become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop
meditation on lovingkindness, for when you develop meditation on
lovingkindness, all ill will will be abandoned. (MN 62)
Suppose there were a pond with lovely smooth banks, filled with pure
water that was clear and cool. A person scorched and exhausted by hot
weather, weary, parched, and thirsty would come upon the pond and quench
their thirst and their hot-weather fever. In just the same way a person
encounters the teachings of the Buddha and develops lovingkindness, and
thereby gains internal peace. (MN 40)
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Intention has
to do with the volitional and emotional states of mind that condition
experience and influence the quality of action. Some mental states are
helpful and healthy, others are harmful and unhealthy. One of the most
beneficial is lovingkindness, which can be developed by generating
friendliness and care toward living beings. Compared with the harshness
of so many of our other experiences, the practice of lovingkindness
feels refreshing and leads to peace.
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Friendliness
and lovingkindness can be practiced at any time. Simply direct the mind
to the thought of a particular person or group of people and allow the
emotional tone of caring for their well-being to arise in your heart or
mind. By thinking of the person steadily, with the help of supporting
phrases and images, you can sustain this kindly quality of mind over
time. It feels refreshing, like a cool pond on a hot day. Try it.
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Tomorrow: Refraining from False Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Compassion
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