Today’s post finds me in a much better state of mind thanks to good advice, saddha and a good night’s rest. I have been reading a piece by a sayadaw about rebirth and realized that one of the things that always helps me when I’m at my lowest is the recollection of death and impermanence. Nothing is so bad that it should drive us to despair or to cause harm as conditions will soon enough change and fall away.
So, how does this have to do with radiating metta? Well, in the article by the sayadaw he talks about the kamma that creates that next rebirth (please no abhidhammic or philosophical interjections as I’m speaking solely in conventional language). Sensibly he points out that whatever we practice often and has made the greatest impression upon us will be more likely to arise in our minds during the last moments of our life. I believe that much of my practice now is an attempt to return to the theme of the brahmaviharas for precisely this reason: that I may place my attention on a heart full of metta as I am dying. The other benefits are myriad but, being unable to devote myself to extended retreats atg present I feel I am doing what I can to prepare for a good death.
Which brings me back to the sidewalk: inspired by the article I read I undertook a practice which I have found energizing in the past to radiate loving-kindness to each person I see as I’m walking through the streets. In a city like NYC it can be a little overwhelming due to the shear number of people but it really helps snap me out of the normal state of mind. Sadly when I’m not consciuosly practicing I make snap judgements of each person I see: she’s attractive; he’s a junkie; she’s dirty; he looks like a jerk. When I practice metta towards everyone that steps into my field of vision and attempt to meet each one individually with a blessing the status quo is interrupted and the aversive judgements are short circuited. Pheww! What a mouthful but I really recommend giving it a try. May this be of some benefit!
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Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Wonderful perspective, thanks for sharing. Be well~
By: bussokuseki on 11/30/2012
at 10:05 pm
Thanks for reading and for sharing. Be well my friend!
By: Upāsaka on 11/30/2012
at 10:11 pm
As you’re in NYC, you must never be lacking for beings to radiate metta toward!
I have a similar practice too. I usually don’t verbalize (unless my mind is particularly unwieldy), but just imagine that everyone I encounter is my very good friend. This was a suggestion I read from the Dalai Lama once, and I found it worked very well for me.
They say that the moment of death is a particularly good time to attain stages of awakening, as one is already forced to give up so much by dying. If one has practiced letting go, death could be just the right opening for a complete letting go.
“Bhikkhus, whatever a bhikkhu frequently thinks and ponders upon, that will become the inclination of his mind.” MN19
I hope you have many more years to practice before you’re put to the test, my friend. (But you never know!)
By: Savaka on 12/01/2012
at 1:34 pm