

Metta is compared to the love of a mother towards her only child. The seventh verse of the Metta Sutta (the Discourse on Loving Kindness) reads as follows:
Mata yatha niyam puttam
Ayusa ekaputtamanurakkhe
Evam pi sabbabhutesu
Manasam bhavaye aparimanam
Just as a mother would protect her only child
at the risk of her own life
Even so let one cultivate
a boundless heart towards all sentient beings

The practice of Metta helps to reduce the tendencies of anger, hatred, and grudges. Metta is a great healing force. It promotes the development of virtues such as compassion, altruistic joy, and equanimity.

It also promotes patience, tolerance, gratitude, and above all, a forgiving heart. Forgiveness is an important factor which helps in releasing emotional blockages due to grudges or remorse.

"When practiced together with wisdom and insight, Metta becomes a powerful healing force, transforming us into a more caring, compassionate and sustainable community."
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- Bhante Mahinda, Awakening with Metta
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