mettā
Loving-kindness
[ MET-taa ]
Seeing it in life
Mettā is the first brahmavihāra, the non-aversion (adosa) directed toward beings without limit.
In short
Wish for the welfare and happiness of all beings.
The analysis
Mettā is the wish for the welfare and happiness of all beings without limit — adosa cultivated and directed outward, the first of the four brahmavihāras. The traditional practice extends mettā in sequence — beginning with oneself, a respected person, a dear friend, a neutral person, and a difficult person — before radiating outward without distinction.
Where it sits
Mettā is adosa's fuller, cultivated expression — where adosa at minimum is simply the absence of hatred, mettā is that same root actively developed and directed as a specific meditation practice.
The specific warmth wished toward a difficult colleague, held not as approval of their behaviour but as a genuine wish for their wellbeing regardless, is central to how mettā is traditionally taught, especially toward the 'difficult person' stage.
Commonly mistaken for
Approval or agreement with someone's actions. Mettā can be extended toward someone whose behaviour one firmly disagrees with.
Passive niceness or an inability to set boundaries. Genuine mettā is compatible with clear, firm action.
Mettā Sutta (Sn 1.8); Abhidhammattha Saṅgaha IX.
Related terms