Virtual Metta Retreat: Teatime (9) with Ajahn Sona

Ajahn Sona

Teatime at Birken (9 of 9) streamed live as part of the Virtual Metta Retreat (December 23-31, 2020).

Index of questions:
00:00 - Welcome
00:30 - How does one practice Loving-kindness when entangled with unskillful people?
09:12 - In the past, I used to end my sittings with a smile and start to laugh. Is this “laughing-kindness” like “Loving-kindness”?
11:41 - In a Jataka story, the Bodhisatta practices patience (Khanti). Isn’t it a practice of Loving-kindness as well?
15:34 - What strategies can we undertake to keep from getting overwhelmed beyond one’s capacities for Loving-kindness?
20:53 - As a psychotherapist, how can I express to patients, family, etc, that I am not available for periods of time?
27:01 - Please explain how something persisting through many lifetimes, carrying the kamma from many lifetimes, is separate and distinct from an idea of a self?
35:14 - What thoughts, feelings and wishes are appropriate when seeing a dead animal on the street?
37:47 - How does eating meat relate to Loving-kindness towards animals?
43:50 - When I am in a rush and time pressure, it is hard to sustain Metta. Any advice?
48:34 - Can you speak to balancing our own inner wisdom with that of outside voices (teachers, etc)?
51:55 - Any advice in keeping Metta that we’ve cultivated in daily life after the retreat?