Mettā (
Pāli) or Maitrī (
Sanskrit) means unconditional and unattached loving kindness. It is one of the ten
pāramitās of the
Theravāda school of Buddhism, and the first of the four
Brahmavihāras. The mettā bhāvanā (cultivation of mettā) is a popular form of
meditation in Buddhism.The object of mettā meditation is to cultivate loving kindness (love without attachment, non-exclusive love) towards all
sentient beings. The practice usually begins with the meditator cultivating loving kindness towards themselves (though this is not specifically recommended by
the Buddha himself in the relevant suttas/sutras), then their loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers and finally their enemies. It is a good way to calm down a distraught mind because it is an antidote to
anger. Someone who has cultivated mettā will not be easily angered and can quickly subdue anger that arises. They will be more caring, more loving, and more likely to love unconditionally.
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