In this engaging conversation, Kevin Griffin, a seasoned Buddhist practitioner and author of 'Living Kindness,' shares insights on the balance of love and attachment. He discusses how to love without clinging and the nuances of self-love as an act of kindness. Griffin highlights the difference between loving kindness and living kindness, emphasizing that compassion can exist without attachment. They also explore the Metta Sutta's teachings, offering practical guidance on cultivating emotional connections while recognizing the challenges of love and suffering.
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Metta Practice
Practice metta systematically using phrases like "May I be happy, may I be peaceful."
Start with yourself or easier targets like pets, then progress to loved ones, neutral individuals, and finally, difficult people.
insights INSIGHT
Non-Ill Will vs. Love
"Loving kindness" can be misleading, as love has various meanings, including desire and attachment.
The core of Buddhist teaching is letting go, so non-ill will is a more accurate goal.
insights INSIGHT
Living Kindness vs. Loving Kindness
Living kindness emphasizes applying the principles of loving-kindness in everyday actions.
Putting aside personal desires to help others, like caring for a child, is a form of living kindness.
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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.
Living Kindness
Kevin Griffin
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.
The Dutch house
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Today 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?
Kevin Griffin is both a long time Buddhist practitioner and also a 12 step participant, and in another previous episode we talked to him about the nature of craving and addiction. In this popular episode from the archives, Kevin talks about his semi-skeptical take on loving kindness – that venerable if somewhat misunderstood Buddhist concept and practice. His book is being re-released this month, with a slightly new title Living Kindness: Metta Practice for the Whole of Our Lives.
In this conversation, we talk about:
Loving kindness versus living kindness
The dangers of modern loving kindness practice
The idea that you don't have to feel love all the time
And we talk about a Buddhist text called the Metta Sutta.
Content Warning: The interview includes brief references to addiction and other forms of suffering.
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