Not Your Typical Course on Mettā

Price Options:

Basic rate: £139

Standard rate: £149

Supporter rate: £159

Theme: 

Mettā practice isn’t always straightforward. Many of us find it difficult to connect with, take years to find our path with it, or get stuck in the challenges it poses, all despite our interest in embodying mettā in our lives. Being one of these people, Bernat will emphasize a range of approaches in this course, appealing both to the complete newbie and to the seasoned meditator who feels blocked in this practice or who simply wants to try fresh perspectives or dive deeper into what the early texts say about mettā.

What changes when we translate mettā as kindness or friendliness? Or as good will? What about “love”? And “care”?

In this course, we will:

• Explore ways to cultivate mettā beyond the classic phrase-based or visualization-based models: finding it in the body, combining it with the breath, or directing it to any object of attention.
• Practice mettā in conjunction with the factors of awakening, which is what the early texts say was distinctive about the Buddha’s approach to mettā.
• Look at the connection of mettā to impermanence and to beauty. We can conceive of mettā too as a practice of perceiving the good, skilful and beautiful in our minds and in the world. (Is this what one ancient discourse means when it claims that the culmination of the heart’s release through mettā is “beauty”?)
• Take mettā more generally as a central example of what a skilful way of being looks like, drawing on phenomenological descriptions from classic Buddhist psychology.

Who is this course for?

This course is for both new and experienced practitioners. Whether you are new to the concept of metta, and have only just started meditating, or are someone more experienced who has questions to ask or wants to try a different approach.

Course schedule

This course will run over six Sunday afternoons. Sessions will include teachings and reflections by Bernat, contemplative exercises, and time for group discussion and Q&A. Each week Bernat will also provide suggestions for meditations, readings and daily life practices.

Themes covered include:

Mettā & mindfulness of the body and breath
Practising mettā with the awakening factors
The challenges of mettā
The skillful mind
Mettā, impermanence & beauty
Relationship to compassion, joy and equanimity

What students say about Bernat

“This course changed my meditation practice substantially. More useful than most retreats” — Participant from online course ‘The Dharma of Pleasure’ 2025

“I was very happy with Bernat as our teacher. He is very accessible and friendly and relatable.” — Participant from online course ‘The Dharma of Pleasure’ 2025

“Bernat has a wonderful grasp of the dharma and a very clear way of teaching as well as a lovely presence.” — Participant from online course ‘Feeling Your Way to Liberation’ 2024

“This course has given me a wealth of material to work with - ideas and practices to explore, and integrate into all areas of life. Bernat's teaching style is very engaging; I'm appreciative of the liveliness and generosity he brought to class. “ — Participant from online course ‘Feeling Your Way to Liberation’ 2024

Schedule: 

Six consecutive Sunday afternoons from 4-6pm GMT on November 8, 15, 22, 29th and December 6th and 13th.

Recordings:

We strongly encourage live attendance as a buddy system will be implemented on this course.

If you are unable to attend the live session, the recordings will be shared following each session.

Suitability:

Open to all - new and experienced practitioners alike.

 Cost:

• The price includes a fee for the teachers, no additional dana will be requested. 
• Possibility to pay a supporter rate by selecting the option available on the registration form.
• If you are unable to afford the our basic course rate, please contact us here. We will make sure that no one is turned away because of lack of funds

Teachers:

[sc name=bernat-font]