“He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me.” Those who do not harbor such thoughts still their hatred.
Dh Chapter VII verse 4. Trans. Acharya Buddharakkhita
When I’m doing the Metta Bhavana, the feelings of loving kindness, of metta, can feel a bit vague. If I’m totally honest the feeling of metta can feel vague to the point of insipid. It doesn’t feel like a powerful state of mind. It feels nice sometimes, it feels a bit warm and perhaps fluffy. It isn’t vigorous or fierce.
But I do know strong emotions. Anger feels full of energy, an energy that is misdirected, frustrated or blocked in some way but it pushes and demands to be expressed. Ill-will feels sharp and bright and dominating. Anxiety circles round and round, gathering power on each circuit across my consciousness. These are strong vigorous states of mind that I know all too well.
What of metta? Can it feel the same? I read somewhere that it can and perhaps should. Metta isn’t really a timid kitten of a state of mind. It is a tiger. It roars. It roars with compassion and connection and care for all living beings. It doesn’t halfheartedly wish for the benefit of all beings. It demands it. It means it. It is a powerful state of being. Can be as strong or perhaps stronger than hatred.