❤️ The Metta Bhavana

I have been experimenting with the phrases in my metta bhavana practice recently. I have found the traditional wording of “May I be well, happy, free from suffering” almost losing its meaning, seeming to give me a sense of lack as if I am not well now, but also finding the terms well and happy too vague.

Now I try to make it more conversational, starting with a question if I am well. And then, appreciating that right now I am relatively well, happy and free from suffering in the grand scheme of things. But also wish that I can be truly well and free from suffering in the highest sense of the word in the future.

The phrases are all interchangeable and of course applied to each person in the subsequent stages too, asking “Are you well?” and sending well-wishing by saying “ I hope you are relatively free from suffering and may you make true progress”

I feel this has transformed my practice, connecting deeper with the words and just finding myself looking forward to the metta bhavana more. I have had this light, fluffy feeling in my heart's centre for weeks now, it could be a combination of things, but doing this practice has helped me tune into that more deeply.