Parvati Magazine October 2014- Equilibrium | Page 13

MEDITATION

T

hese days, when the
word sustainability is
used it is usually in reference to the environment,
however, the general definition of the word is “the
ability to be sustained or
supported.” We can all
relate to the idea of being
supported, whether it’s
through giving support, or
needing some. When you
spend a lot of time outputting energy and not a
lot of time “filling the well”
you burn out, even when
doing something you love
like writing, creating art, or
taking care of someone.
In both yoga and Buddhism there exists a practice called Loving-Kindness. One of my main and
favourite practices, it is essential in sustaining my energy and efforts; hence, it
is my holistic sustainability.
The “love” part in the translation of this Pali (metta)
and Sanskrit (maitri) word
is often misleading; it is
not the passionate, fiery,
conditional love present
in rom-coms and Danielle
Steele novels. Instead, it
is an all encompassing,

unconditional,
overall
acceptance of who we
are as we are. As Tibetan
Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön says “Practice isn’t
about trying to throw ourselves away and become
something better. It’s
about befriending who
we are already.”
There is an informal and
formal way to practice
loving-kindness. The way
this looks like on the yoga
mat is that each pose and
breath is an expression of
the loving-kindness you
have or hope to have.
The formal practice of
metta entails a repetition
of phrases (see below) to
a list of recipients, starting
with yourself, then moving on to a benefactor,
neutral person, difficult
person, and finally all beings. At first, the opposite
feelings of loving-kindness
may come up, however,
with persistent practice,
the dust will get swept
away to reveal your natural tendency towards
metta.

the following phrases to
yourself for a few minutes
each day:
May I be happy and
healthy
May I be free from inner
and outer suffering
May I be held in compassion
May I love and accept
myself just as I am
Before you know it, any
difficulty on your path will
be met with kindness, patience and warmth.

Start your loving-kindness
practice by silently repeat

Dawn Mauricio is a yoga and meditation teacher with a playful, dynamic,
Catherine Rathbun received her traditional teaching name, Lama Jetsun
and centred approach. She is Rinpoche, a boundless energy and smilYeshe, from Ven. Karma Thinleyknown for herlineage master of the Sakya
ing Kagyu traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, in motivating. Drawing from her
andpersonality that are both contagious and2002. She taught meditation at
deep experience in yoga and meditation, she delivers an effective balYork University (1989 to 1997) and is the founding teacher at Friends of the
ance a meditation centre in Toronto. With a reflection. Dawn firmly beHeart,of clear, precise instruction and mental background in dance — she
lieves member we offer ourselves in Company of Canada from 1962 to
was a that how of the National Balletpractice reflects how we offer ourselves
in life, inspiring her to find new ways to extend her practice beyond the
1963 — and a modern dance career in England (1967-69). She is the author
yoga mat and meditation cushion – and encouraging her students to do
of Developing the World Mind and Clear Heart, Open Mind, and is currently
the same.
working on a new book called Waiting for Truffles: Meditations for Daily
Living. For more on Catherine, please visit www.friendsoftheheart.com.
For more information about Dawn, please visit dawnmauricio.com.