Sublime abiding and non-abiding. Metta that flows naturally into no-mind and nibbana.

Main Text(s) quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki

http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

The destructiveness of ill-will, towards others and towards oneself.

Texts quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

Happiness by Matthieu Ricard.

Benevolence -- how to wish well. The actual instructions on metta bhavana.

Texts quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

More on frugality. Guarding the six sense-doors and mastering oneself. Metta and service.

Texts quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

A foundation of virtue is needed before we can meditate effectively. The precepts, or non-harm, as benevolence in action. A close look at the Sutta up to “Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.”

Main Text(s) quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki

http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

Why we have introduced the Pali Karaniya Metta Sutta into our early morning chanting service in sesshin, and an introduction to the Sutta.

Main Text(s) quoted: Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness (Sn 1.8), translated from the Pali by The Amaravati Sangha. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html .

Commentary on words and phrases by Andrew Olendzki

http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/18/mettasutta6.htm

Description: When we are torn, when our longings pull us in different directions, when we feel pinned on the horns of some dilemma, or literally in two minds about something, what is our True Self?

Main Text(s) quoted: The Hidden Lamp, Stories from 25 Centuries of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon.

Some basic instruction on working on one's first koan.

Text cited: What is This Tricycle Article by Martine Batchelor and Shattering the Great Doubt by Master Sheng Yen.

Kakuzan Shido, founder of Tokei-ji, challenged about her ability to teach, brings forth a dagger. Was her act a violent one? What role do such extreme actions play in Zen? What role does pressure (external and internal) play in Zen, and in life? Why are koans so difficult?

Text(s) quoted: The Hidden Lamp, Stories from 25 Centuries of Awakened Women, edited by Florence Caplow and Susan Moon.

Why can’t the buffalo’s tiny tail pass through the window when his head, horns and legs all do? How come, even after we have seen into the emptiness of all things do we still have unfinished business to attend to? And how can we work with our imperfections in a healthy way?