What is loving-kindness?
1. The Pali word for loving-kindness is metta, which is derived from mid, to soften, to love. Therefore, that which softens the mind, or friendly disposition is metta. Metta is not carnal love or affection. The direct enemy of metta is hatred or ill-will, its indirect enemy is affection (pema). Metta embraces all beings without exception. The culmination of metta is the identification of oneself with all beings. In a word, metta is the sincere wish for the good welfare of all. It disregards ill-will. 2. There is a difference between loving-kindness and compassion (karuna). Loving-kindness is the wish for all beings to be happy. It emphasizes the giving of happiness to all beings. Whereas compassion emphasizes the wish for all beings to be free from suffering. That which makes the heart feel heavy and hurt in those who are good when others are afflicted with sorrow is compassion. That which dissipates the sufferings of others is compassion. Its direct enemy is wickedness (Himsa), and it
