Regular events

Sangha night

Why do we often find it so difficult to be kind to ourselves?

We continue our Metta Bhavana theme tonight with a look at the first stage of the meditation practice, where we develop metta (loving kindness) for ourselves. Guhyasiddhi joins us to share his thoughts and recommendations on this stage, often experienced (by westerners at least) as quite challenging. And yet, it is key. If we can't feel metta for ourselves, we may not be able to feel it for others.

Buddhists view metta as the antidote to the poison of hatred or ill will. We may not go so far as to hate ourselves; our difficulty could be a lack of self-confidence. As we work with the meditation practice, the positive emotional effects will accumulate over time. We see that the source of our own well-being is deep within us, an inexhaustible well for which the first stage of the Metta Bhavana.

Guhyasiddhi is a long-standing member of the Order who has developed his practice over many years in the UK and New Zealand, including being a member of many Buddhist living communities. Come along and hear his approach.

Wednesday nights are a place for people who have attended our foundation courses to come together and celebrate community, deepen their knowledge of Buddhism, and their understanding of how to practice it. They generally include a talk and discussion, a social cup of tea and meditation. Note that we are temporarily meeting at the Ponsonby Community Centre until we get our new centre in Mt Eden suitably prepared for these events.

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