Loving-Kindness (Metta) on Buddhist Resources

Metta Meditation for Beginners

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:17:45 +0200

Metta bhavana — the cultivation of loving-kindness — is one of the easiest Buddhist meditations to start and one of the most rewarding. This guide walks through a simple version of the practice, with options for the first few weeks, the traditional phrases, the stages of the practice, and the common challenges.

Loving-Kindness vs. Compassion

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:17:45 +0200

In the Buddhist tradition, the cultivation of the heart includes four “divine abodes” (brahma-viharas): metta (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity). The first two — metta and karuna — are often confused, but they are distinct practices with different flavors and different uses.