Self-Mettā: A Foundational Practice for the Brahmavihārās (Zoom Retreat EST)
with Mary Aubry
December 12 - 13, 2020
The practice of lovingkindness, or mettā in Pali, is a learned practice. For some meditators, it can take years to develop without specific instruction. During our time together, we will give focused attention to the practice of sending mettā to ourselves in an embodied way as a foundational practice. A regular practice of embodied self-mettā can enhance one’s overall sense of well-being with residual benefits that last longer than the sitting period. Additionally, embodied self-mettā is a useful practice during difficult times when it transforms into self-compassion. During the second day of the retreat, we will use embodied self-mettā as a cornerstone for building a practice of radiating outwards in all directions to all beings all four of the brahmavihārās of mettā, compassion, muditā, and equanimity, as taught by the Buddha to the Kālamās in sutta 65 in book Three of the Numerical Discourses of the Pali Cannon.
Leader
Mary Aubry began meditating in the Vipassana tradition and attending insight meditation retreats in 1993. In 2009, she started teaching meditation classes for the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, D.C. and in 2012, graduated from the Community Dharma Leadership program co-sponsored by the Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the Insight Meditation Society. In 2014, Tara Brach authorized Mary to teach insight meditation retreats, and in 2016 Leigh Brasington authorized her to teach jhana retreats. Other than Tara and Leigh, her primary teachers have included Joseph Goldstein, Bhikkhu Analayo, and Rodney Smith. In 2014-15, Mary co-taught a year-long program for IMCW…
Learn more about Mary Aubry