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Loving-Kindness in Plain English: The Practice of Metta Paperback – March 14, 2017

by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana (Author)

19 customer reviews

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The bestselling author of Mindfulness in Plain English invites us to explore the joyful benefits of living with loving-kindness.

With his signature clarity and warmth, Bhante Gunaratana shares with us how we can cultivate loving-kindness to live a life of joyful harmony with others. Through personal anecdotes, step-by-step meditations, conversational renderings of the Buddha’s words in the suttas, and transformative insights into how we live in and relate to the world, we learn that peace here and now is possible—within ourselves and in all our relationships. Bhante G speaks directly to how we can cultivate loving-kindness to find emotional clarity, overcome anger, and become more peaceful—both on and off the meditation cushion.

Loving-Kindness in Plain English was chosen for the Spirituality & Practice Book Award as one of the 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2017 by the website Spirituality & Practice.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“In lucid, accessible prose, Gunaratana (Mindfulness in Plain English) introduces readers to the practice of metta, or loving-kindness meditation...Gunaratana’s newest is a clear and excellent introduction and should be considered a standard manual for metta practice.” (Publishers Weekly)

“This beautiful book not only expertly guides us in cultivating loving-kindness, it is the transmission of an awakened heart. Bhante G, as he is affectionately called, is a true master, and his deep wisdom and love flow through his words into our hearts. Written with great lucidity, and filled with accessible, powerful teachings and practices, Loving-Kindness In Plain English is a book that will bring more love into your life.” (Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge)

“In Loving-kindness in Plain English Bhante Gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the Karaniya Metta Sutta, as well as other discourses that give guidance on practicing metta (lovingkindness). All of this will delight the reader who is interested in better understanding the traditional texts. Bhante Gunaratana also offers beautiful stories from his own life that illustrates the power and benefits of metta practice. There's something here for everyone.” (Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness)

“This latest installment in the In Plain Englishseries offers a straightforward and simple introduction to loving-kindness. Loving-friendliness, as the author prefers to call it, is more than a meditation practice; it is an attitude, a gift, and a way of peace. The humility and benevolence that pervades the stories makes this little book easy to understand, and instructive for living a good life. It is a joy to read!” (Shaila Catherine, author of Focused and Fearless and Wisdom Wide and Deep)

About the Author

Bhante Gunaratana was ordained at the age of twelve as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, earned his PhD in philosophy from The American University, and has led meditation retreats, taught Buddhism, and lectured widely throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. He is the president of the Bhavana Society in High View, West Virginia, where he lives. He is the author of the bestselling Mindfulness in Plain English and Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness. Bhante Gunaratana lives in High View, West Virginia.

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Wisdom Publications (March 14, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781614292494
ISBN-13: 978-1614292494
ASIN: 1614292493
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 19 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28 in Theravada Buddhism (Books)
- #292 in Emotional Self Help
- #974 in Meditation (Books)

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Matt Perry

I noticed positive changes in my life within 2 weeks

May 30, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I tried one of his first books, mindfulness in ain English, and liked it alot. That book helped me understand a lot about myself and my behaviors. After practicing insight meditation, I would feel relieved and less stressed out, but not really "better" more of a how to manual about understanding behaviors.

With this book, I feel that I have a complimentary practice with my mindfulness. Metta practice, or practicing, loving kindness to all beings (starting with yourself, then growing your circle to encompass your family and friends. Advanced practice helps you love neutral strangers and people who are challenging in your life.

After a few sessions, I would feel a warm and gushy feeling emanating from my chest. After about a week of daily practice (15 minutes - 1 hour), I started feeling pretty good about myself.

After two weeks of diligent practice, I noticed little things in my life "falling into place." It's easy to slip back to normal habits, but with some practice, I'm able to practice "equanimity" as challenging situations are arising .

If you want to understand reality a bit differently, or just to feel good about yourself as you are now, then buy this book. You'll be a stronger, happier person for it. You might even start attracting positive, kind people into your life. We could all use that.

27 people found this helpful

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Metta

Practical, inspiring, and wonderful! :)

June 10, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is my second time buying this book. I pre ordered it not long before it came out, which was perfect given I had suddenly developed the desire to practice loving-kindness. I skim through this book every day and it helps super charge my loving friendliness that I bring into the day and practice non-stop as I have severe anxiety and this is the one practice coupled with mindfulness and concentrated breathing that helps significantly. I don't think you will ever find a more useful book. I love buddhist books (I have been reading and practicing them for six years) but this one is at the top for sure, so it surprises me that it only has 15 reviews! I hope this book reaches more people, I will do my part to help.

4 people found this helpful

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Buddhist from South

Cultivating Infinite Love

October 13, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

There is no possibility of progressing and maturing in the buddhist spiritual path without cultivating the qualities of the human heart.
What the Bhante Gunaratana presents us here is a condensation of the purest teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha, through his own anecdotes and life experiences along many decades, including also the experiences of the Buddha himself and his disciples from the Pali canon.

The cultivation of metta (loving-kindness) is fundamental and universal to all Buddhist traditions and cannot be skipped over if one wants to progress in the meditations of shamatha and karuna (great compassion). The book
includes the Karaniya Meta Sutta and the Meta Nisamsa Sutta

As a practitioner of the Tibetan Mahayana I urge all practitioners to purchase this book and practice directly according to its detailed instructions to open and fill their hearts with unmeasurable love for the healing and pacification of the whole world.

One person found this helpful

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Chris

A helpful guide

February 3, 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I'd been studying buddhism and working on some of the practices for a while but I was struggling with some aspects of the practice and thought a quality loving kindness meditation routine might help but I was struggling to establish it. This book provided insights and methodology necessary make those steps and start feeling more confident and getting more success not just in loving kindness practice but in overall understanding of Buddhist concepts and practices.

One person found this helpful

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Sue Allen Clayton

Learn to apply loving-kindness to your life

March 23, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

Loving-kindness (also known as loving-friendliness) is a form of Buddhist meditation. Metta is the practice of feeling and extending love to yourself, to your friends, to your enemies, and to all beings. I first learned about Metta a few months ago and firmly believe that engaging in this practice will make our world a kinder place. This book describes Metta as a practice, including examples from Buddhism and from the author's life.

You start the meditation by offering Metta to yourself. Here’s what you say: “May my mind be full with loving-friendliness, compassion, appreciate joy, and equanimity. May I be generous. May I be gentle. May I be grateful. May I be relaxed. May I be happy and peaceful. May I be healthy. May my heart become tender. May my words be pleasing to others.”

The next step is to offer this meditation to people you love, to neutral beings, to difficult people, and to all beings. The author, a Buddhist monk, describes the benefits of loving-kindness. He also provides many examples of practicing loving-kindness from both his life and from Buddha.

Although Metta is a Buddhist practice, it can just as easily be seen as a form of prayer or a secular meditation. It is a lovely alternative to the hatred and divisiveness that I see happening in our country.

32 people found this helpful

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Mystc Mtn Mama

Metta explained in practical terms

December 28, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wonderful, comprehensive introduction to Metta. Bhante G also, in his usual compassionate style, keeps the practice practical and grounded without it losing efficacy.

2 people found this helpful

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karen Miller

A most beautiful book on the teachings and practice of Metta-loving kindness

July 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A most beautiful book on the teachings and practice of Metta-loving kindness, by an extraordinary teacher of our time- Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

2 people found this helpful

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Alicia

Great read

April 9, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Honestly as I peeled back each chapter I felt my heart soften. Through the understanding of metta I began to practice it. Really enjoyed the stories and the flow of this book it’s pretty powerful I highly recommend this book!

One person found this helpful

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