Part of practicing metta meditation involves working with beings that are “neutral” to us. These beings are neutral in the sense that they do not trigger too strongly within us a sense of aversion or attachment, hate or love, etc. Since the pandemic, when I work with neutral beings in my metta meditations, many ofContinue reading “Metta: Don’t I know you?”
Author Archives: Vito Politano
Heartbreak Metta
Through the practice of metta meditation especially when working with people that challenge us (i.e., “the other,” our enemy, opponent), it can be a practice of working with heartbreak – exposing unhealed wounds or scars. In my practice, people often come up that have essentially broken my heart – acted in ways that I experienceContinue reading “Heartbreak Metta”
Hope Springs
Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach This winter feels like the shortest in my life. Maybe this was the first year I more fully lived the energy of the season. I mostlyContinue reading “Hope Springs”
Metta: Revolutionary Love
I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better”. — Abraham Lincoln This quote has been with me for years as part of my long journey towards developing self-acceptance and the ability to forgive myself and others. It is the essence of metta practice. Unconditionally accepting ourselves and others can feel impossible, especiallyContinue reading “Metta: Revolutionary Love”
vitoyoga December: Persistent Practice & Yoga at the Wall
“Humility and gratitude go hand in hand. The feeling of gratitude is an interaction between the mind and the body. Both will benefit from it. Awareness increases so that we become grateful for everything we are given. We have to learn, literally learn, to be grateful for what we receive day by day, simply toContinue reading “vitoyoga December: Persistent Practice & Yoga at the Wall”
Midweek Metta Meditation
The following wisdom of Donna Farhi that I shared in class this week (from her book Bringing Yoga to Life) deeply resonates with my metta meditation and Yoga practices: “What we discipline, then, is this movement of awareness, training ourselves to stay with rather than run from all that we experience. When we choose to stayContinue reading “Midweek Metta Meditation”
November: Stay open with More Classes and Metta
I wanted to thank you for your support over the years, and over the last couple of months of teaching online. I am so grateful to those of you who have made the time to practice with me. I shared these words from Sharon Salzberg in class last night. This is a simple and hopefulContinue reading “November: Stay open with More Classes and Metta”
vitoyoga Autumnal Transitions Newsletter: New Classes and Videos
Dear Yogis, Friends, and Family, Many blessings for the start of a new season. Autumn offers a beautiful opportunity for us to reflect on transitions and impermanence. This may feel especially relevant and challenging now given COVID-19 and all that is going on in the world. The closing of studios including Yang’s in Andover whereContinue reading “vitoyoga Autumnal Transitions Newsletter: New Classes and Videos”
Video: Guided Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation Practice
I have been sharing abbreviated metta or lovingkindness meditation practices with each Yoga class on Zoom. Here is a longer 15 minute guided meditation practice to cultivate and strengthen love, compassion, worthiness and acceptance towards ourselves and ALL beings. Find a comfortable seated position or lie down – whatever serves you best. Repeat the followingContinue reading “Video: Guided Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation Practice”
Peru 2019 Yoga Retreat Reflections
June 2020: One year ago I was leading a life-changing Yoga + Metta retreat and journey to Peru. It was an intimate group of special souls in a sacred land, that is made even more so by the practices of the indigenous people and shamanic ceremonies. Now in this time of COVID-19, I was given a timeContinue reading “Peru 2019 Yoga Retreat Reflections”