As a Yogini, change begins within, within myself, first. When that happens, I know from experience that I also see change in others.
Which is why, for me, 'unconditional love' is impossible unless we begin with our self. Which is why I am more comfortable with Metta, or "loving kindness".
The idea of Metta is "loving kindness" without attachment, so that I do not expect or anticipate god to change anyone (to include myself). Again, for myself, change must come from within.
There are six steps to Metta, or the cultivation of loving kindness. First, we begin with loving kindness towards ourself, then a good friend (not a lover). Easy enough. Then we cultivate Metta for someone we dont have any particular feelings for, a 'neutral' person for example. Then we cultivate Metta for someone we find difficult, then we expand our Metta to treating everyone we meet as deserving of loving kindess. The last step is to include the entire world.
In the Cunda Sutra, the Buddha said:
May all beings be free from animosity,
free from oppression, free from trouble,
and may they look after themselves with ease!
This is Metta.
The Suttanipata tells us:
Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child,
so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings.
This too is Metta.
And my favorite:
May all beings be free from enmity,
affliction and anxiety, and live happily.
When we embrace Metta, beginning with our self, then we take one step towards peace in our life, towards all our relations, within our community, and finally to the world. Therefore, Metta leads us towards World Peace.
May All Beings Be Happy!
Om Peace, Peace, Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
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