Kevin Griffin, a longtime Buddhist practitioner and author of "Living Kindness: Buddhist Teachings for a Troubled World," dives into the complexities of love and attachment. He explores how to love without becoming attached and emphasizes the distinction between loving-kindness and 'living kindness.' The discussion also highlights the significance of self-love, non-ill will, and the role mindfulness plays in nurturing compassion. Griffin candidly addresses the challenges of modern metta practice while advocating for a gentler approach to relationships and personal growth.
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Metta Practice
Practice metta by repeating phrases like "May I be happy, may I be peaceful."
Systematically direct these phrases towards yourself, loved ones, neutral individuals, and difficult people.
insights INSIGHT
Non-Ill Will vs. Love
The core of Buddhist teachings is about letting go, so constantly striving for love can create craving and attachment.
Instead, focus on non-ill will, which is more about releasing negativity.
insights INSIGHT
Living Kindness vs. Loving Kindness
Living kindness is about applying the principles of loving-kindness in everyday actions.
It's about putting aside your own desires to meet the needs of others, like caring for a child.
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Kevin Griffin explores the multifaceted nature of loving-kindness or metta on the Buddhist path, combining ancient Pali canon stories with modern reflections. The book offers practical guided practices to deepen understanding of core Buddhist teachings like the Metta Sutta, making them relevant for contemporary life.
Bringing Home the Dharma
Daniel J. Siegel
Jack Kornfield
In 'Bringing Home the Dharma', Jack Kornfield shares simple meditation practices to awaken one's inner wisdom amidst daily life. The book explores topics like loving-kindness, conscious parenting, and forgiveness, emphasizing that inner peace can be found without leaving one's current life circumstances. It offers insights into modern Buddhist practice, drawing from Kornfield's extensive experience and studies.
Visuddhimagga
Buddhaghosa
The Visuddhimagga, or Path of Purification, is a comprehensive treatise on Buddhist practice written by Buddhaghosa in the 5th century CE. It systematically covers various aspects of the Buddhist path, including ethics (sila), meditation (samadhi), and wisdom (prajna). The text draws heavily from earlier Theravada Buddhist scriptures and commentaries, offering a detailed and structured approach to Buddhist practice. It's considered a foundational text for Theravada Buddhism, providing a framework for understanding and practicing the path to enlightenment. Its influence on Theravada Buddhist thought and practice has been profound and lasting.
Coming to Our Senses
Jon Kabat-Zinn
In *Coming to Our Senses*, Jon Kabat-Zinn delves into the profound impact of mindfulness on our lives and the world. The book offers a deep exploration of how mindful awareness can enhance our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world, promoting healing and transformation. Through scientific rigor and personal stories, Kabat-Zinn illustrates the potential of mindfulness to foster compassion and authenticity.
In this episode we’re tackling some thorny dharma questions. For example: How do you love someone without attachment? How do you love yourself when the self is allegedly an illusion? Our guest today is a repeat customer, Kevin Griffin. He joined us a few months ago in an episode about the nature of craving and addiction. This time, Kevin’s back with a semi-skeptical take on loving-kindness -- that venerable, if somewhat misunderstood, Buddhist practice. Our conversation is centered around a book he wrote, called Living Kindness: Buddhist Teachings for a Troubled World. We talk about lovingkindness vs. “living kindness," the dangers of modern metta practice, and the idea that you don't have to feel love all the time (but can still seek to handle situations with non-ill-will). Please note: This conversation includes brief references to addiction and other forms of suffering. If you don't already have the Ten Percent Happier app, download it for free wherever you get your apps: https://10percenthappier.app.link/download-app. Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/kevin-griffin-370
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