Categories: Other Meditation Teachings
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all!
On our spiritual journey, we explore the practical realities of life. In previous articles, we have discussed the various obstacles, troubles, and limitations that can arise. We’ve spoken about the external hindrances that appear when one begins to meditate and live a spiritual life, as well as the more subtle internal challenges, which are sometimes personified as Māra, the force of temptation and delusion.
It’s important to understand that these obstacles do not appear for everyone. Some may find their path unfolds smoothly, without any significant hindrances. However, for those of you who do face persistent challenges, this article offers a practical and powerful method to overcome them.
We won’t repeat the specific details of all possible obstacles here, but we encourage you to explore our other teachings to gain a broader understanding. This will help you see how this practice fits into the larger journey. This article is for those who find the roadblocks are constant and feel a powerful solution is needed.
Identifying the Obstacles in Your Life and Practice
So, what kind of roadblocks might you be facing? These spiritual obstacles can manifest in many forms, often emerging from the very fabric of our daily lives. You might be practicing a form of meditation, such as a concentration practice known as Samatha, and find that disturbances arise constantly.
These can come from your immediate environment:
- Family Life: Challenges can arise from your spouse, your children, or even your parents.
- Social Circles: Close friends may not understand your journey.
- Worldly Pressures: Your job, career, or financial situation can create immense stress.
- Judgment: You might even hear someone say that meditation is a form of ‘madness’ or a waste of time.
- Busyness: Sometimes, life becomes so overwhelmingly busy that you find it impossible to even sit for meditation.
These are just a few simple examples. Beyond these visible challenges, obstacles can also arise from unseen realms, what some might call non-human entities or the influence of Māra. If you feel persistently blocked by any of these forces, seen or unseen, this teaching is for you.
The Antidote: The Power of Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Bhavana)
When your spiritual life feels continuously obstructed, to the point where your meditation cannot develop and your ethical conduct, or Sīla, is difficult to maintain, there is a powerful antidote: the practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation.
This practice, known in the Pali language as Metta Bhavana, is a profound tool. Metta means unconditional love, goodwill, or friendliness, and Bhavana means ‘to develop’ or ‘to cultivate’. So, it is the cultivation of universal, unconditional love.
This isn’t just a feel-good exercise; it is a powerful spiritual technology for pacifying hindrances. It doesn’t matter what your specific practice is, whether you follow our teachings on the ‘Third Eye’ or ‘Path to the Brahma Worlds’, whether you are developing mindfulness (Sati Sampajañña), or even if you follow the guidance of another teacher or study independently from books. If you are facing obstacles, you can make a firm resolution today: to begin practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation.
A Practical Guide to Your Daily Metta Practice
For those experiencing significant obstacles, the key is to apply this practice with clear intention. Here is how you can begin.
First, make a strong determination, an aspiration known as Adhiṭṭhāna. Sit quietly and repeat this resolution to yourself a few times: “I am starting the practice of Loving-Kindness Meditation from today. By the power and energy of this Metta, may all obstacles hindering my concentration (Samatha) and insight (Vipassanā) meditation be cleared away.”
Dedicate about half an hour each day to this. For the specific technique of radiating loving-kindness, you can explore our detailed teaching on the ‘Third Eye Metta Bhavana’. The core of the practice is to extend feelings of goodwill to all beings in the ten directions (the four cardinal points, the four intermediate points, above, and below).
You can start by focusing on one direction, for example, the North, and radiating the thought to all beings, seen and unseen, in that direction:
- May all beings be free from suffering.
- May they be healthy and well.
- May they be happy and at peace.
- May they be free from hatred, free from anger, free from jealousy.
- May they attain ultimate peace, Nibbāna.
Do this for each of the ten directions. The crucial point is that this kindness is not aimed at a specific person causing you trouble; it is a universal, impartial radiation of goodwill towards all beings without exception.
Navigating the Initial Challenges of the Practice
As you begin this powerful practice, it is helpful to be aware of a couple of experiences that may arise. From our own experience, we can share what some people encounter.
First, a person who has a lot of underlying anger may find that when they start practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation, their anger seems to increase temporarily. This is similar to what happens when one practices Asubha Bhavana (meditation on the unattractive nature of the body) to overcome lust; initially, feelings of lust can become stronger.
Think of it like having to climb a steep hill before you can enjoy the gentle descent. It is a sign that the practice is working on deep-seated tendencies. Do not be alarmed; this phase will pass.
Second, you might notice that the very obstacles you are trying to remove seem to intensify for a short period. Again, think of it as climbing that hill. It may feel like things are getting worse before they get better. The most important thing is not to give up. Continue the practice with diligence, and you will crest the hill. As you persist, you will begin to notice that the obstacles in your life start to diminish from all sides.
The Rhythm of Practice: When to Start and When to Pause
Try not to think about a time limit for this practice. Whether it’s early morning or another quiet time, take about 30, 45, or even 60 minutes. You can dedicate five or ten minutes to each of the ten directions. Make this your daily priority.
After you have completed your session of Loving-Kindness Meditation, you can then spend your remaining time on your regular practice, be it a Samatha technique or Vipassanā (insight) meditation. The practice of mindfulness, of course, should be maintained throughout your day as much as possible.
By following this method, you will gain the experience for yourself. You will find that you can proceed on your spiritual path with a sense of peace and ease. After practicing this for some time, you may realize, “I don’t seem to have any obstacles anymore.” On that day, you no longer need to do this dedicated Metta practice. You can set it aside and focus fully on your main meditation object.
However, if you notice the obstacles starting to return later on, simply begin the Loving-Kindness Meditation again. As before, you will find that the difficulties subside. You can then stop or reduce the Metta practice once more. If you work with this understanding, you can navigate your spiritual journey skillfully.
A Universal Remedy for a Peaceful Heart
To be clear, this intensive practice is mainly for those who are facing significant and persistent obstacles. But its benefits are open to all. There is no distinction of rich or poor, of race, caste, or religion. If you undertake this practice with sincerity, it will absolutely bring results.
It was my wish to offer this short teaching to help you deepen your understanding and advance your spiritual life. I hope these points have been clear and that you are inspired to put them into practice.
With the powerful blessings of the Buddha, the Dhamma (His Teachings), and the Sangha (the community of noble ones), may you have the strength to understand these principles and apply them practically in your life.
We invite you to walk this path with us. Read our teachings, and most importantly, apply them practically in your own life. as you practice, questions will naturally arise. Please feel free to share your experiences and questions in the comments below, via email or contact form. I will do my best to offer guidance in future talks based on your progress. For now, begin this practice with an open heart and a mind free from expectation. Cultivate it correctly, and may you find the clarity and peace you seek.
Thank you for joining us. We hope this blog will be of great benefit to your spiritual journey.
May you all be well and happy.
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all!.
