Dissolving boundaries: cultivation of metta in uncertain times

Presenter: Venerable Tenzin

Facilitator: Tina Ng

Wed 16 Nov | 7-8.30pm

Location: In person at Metta Centre (Bankstown) or Online (Zoom link below)

Cost: By donation

From the Metta Sutta: “Let our boundless love pervade the whole universe, above, below, and

across, without obstacles, free from hatred and enmity.”

The cultivation of metta has been universally regarded as a very important practice in Buddhism for millennia. We find it also in other forms across all genuine spiritual traditions. In these times of global uncertainty, developing our capacity to extend an attitude of loving kindness and care, even towards those for whom we may not habitually hold such sentiments, is becoming ever more important. In this talk we will explore together the cultivation of loving kindness as it has been taught traditionally, as well as exploring how it relates to other aspects of mindfulness and meditation, especially in regards to “dissolving boundaries”. Most importantly we will explore how we can integrate metta cultivation into our daily lives, both on and off the cushion. In this session Venerable Tenzin will offer some introductory reflections, some guided practice time, and if time allows, an opportunity to ask questions and share from our own experience.

About the presenter: Br. Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson) began with an ecologist’s understanding of interdependence, but the rainforest soon led him to Buddhist meditation. Now ordained as a monk in the Sakya Tibetan tradition, he has also studied and practiced meditation under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village in France, at Mountain Spring Monastery in The Blue Mountains Near Sydney, and at Pa Auk Tawya in the Burmese Forest tradition. Guided by his main teacher Bhante Dhammadipa (https://www.dhammadipa.cz/en/) his approach is informed by Theravadin, Zen, and Vajrayana methods of meditation and mindfulness, as well as Hatha Yoga, Deep Ecology, and his deep love of wild places. He can be found working with https://www.yatra.org.au to create opportunities for the practice of sacred journeying, and lives on Gumbayngirr country on the Dorrigo Plateau, where he has a project to co-create community space for meditation and nature connection: http://www.gaiaforest.org.

Hybrid event: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session with the speaker, with the discussions facilitated by Tina Ng in person at the Metta Centre (Bankstown). You are welcome to join the session in person at the Metta Centre or online by clicking on this link to access the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506489824?pwd=cmpNQ1ljSmFVYURLWVN1dWllYUN1dz09 Alternatively, you can dial in from your telephone (call charges apply): +61 2 8015 6011 | Meeting ID: 835 0648 9824| Passcode: 718905