by Antoinette, Jane and Joelle
‘Every time one of us truly rests, the world rests a little, so intimately connected are we with one another.’ Dolores Leckey
The 'Monday metta' practice is what connects the Stillpoint virtual community.
We’re all living with chronic illness that fluctuates, so you never know if you'll be able to practice or not on any particular day. Monday metta is for everyone who is prevented by ill health from physically attending a meditation group, especially those who feel isolated.
Every Monday at no specific time, some of us are at some stage during the day dedicating our meditation to other Stillpoint users. Depending on our state of health at the time - it could take the form of anything from a meditation to just lighting a candle - we are in each other’s minds and hearts. We hope that it will be a comfort for everyone to know that they are not alone and that powerful loving light is being sent, bringing courage, strength and peace of mind. So if you're feeling isolated or low or just want to feel connected and feel up to sending and receiving love and positive thoughts, please join our virtual meditation group on Mondays.
Light a candle at any time on a Monday and know you are not alone
Whether or not we can meditate - even if we are lying in bed - we can send loving-kindness to ourselves, and to everyone in our community. “The spirit of metta is unconditional: open and unobstructed. Like water poured from one vessel to another, metta flows freely, taking the shape of each situation without changing its essence.” Sharon Salzberg. Loving-Kindness: the Revolutionary art of Happiness. Shambhala, 1995.
What is Metta?
The Pali word 'Metta' ('Maitri' in Sanskrit) is commonly translated in English as
'loving-kindness.' Metta signifies friendship and non-violence as well
as "a strong wish for the happiness of others." More on metta from Prairie Sangha Read an outline of the loving kindness practice, as described by Jack Kornfeld: ‘With a loving heart as the background, all that we attempt, all that we encounter, will open and flow more easily. The power of loving-kindness… will calm your life and keep you connected to your heart.'
How it began:
Antoinette sent an email saying,
“I have been able to meditate a bit just lately I am going to dedicate every Monday session to everyone who uses Stillpoint. If I can't get to meditate I'll definitely be lighting a candle and saying prayers for everyone, wishing you courage, equanimity, faith and love. If anyone would like to join me it would be really good to know that someone else is doing the same thing.”
Update: Here is a very short practice you can add, as you light your candle
Please print this page off if you know someone who is bedbound /housebound without a computer, who would like to share our virtual meditation community.
Participants say:“I have enjoyed 'doing' metta as a way to feel connected to everyone. It's lovely to know that you are being thought of, when you are going through a bad patch or feeling lonely.” Nicola, Northants
“Thank you for bringing people together, sharing makes us stronger.” Rosie, Edinburgh
“It feels much better knowing I am not meditating alone.” John, Essex