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Loving-Kindness in Plain English

The Practice of Metta

Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

The bestselling author of Mindfulness in Plain English invites us to explore the joyful benefits of living with loving-kindness.

With his signature clarity and warmth, Bhante Gunaratana shares with us how we can cultivate loving-kindness to live a life of joyful harmony with others. Through personal anecdotes, step-by-step meditations, conversational renderings of the Buddha’s words in the suttas, and transformative insights into how we live in and relate to the world, we learn that peace here and now is possible—within ourselves and in all our relationships. Bhante G speaks directly to how we can cultivate loving-kindness to find emotional clarity, overcome anger, and become more peaceful—both on and off the meditation cushion.



Loving-Kindness in Plain English was chosen for the Spirituality & Practice Book Award as one of the 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2017 by the website Spirituality & Practice.

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (March 14, 2017)
  • Length: 128 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781614292647

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Raves and Reviews

“In lucid, accessible prose, Gunaratana (Mindfulness in Plain English) introduces readers to the practice of metta, or loving-kindness meditation...Gunaratana’s newest is a clear and excellent introduction and should be considered a standard manual for metta practice.”

– Publishers Weekly

“This beautiful book not only expertly guides us in cultivating loving-kindness, it is the transmission of an awakened heart. Bhante G, as he is affectionately called, is a true master, and his deep wisdom and love flow through his words into our hearts. Written with great lucidity, and filled with accessible, powerful teachings and practices, Loving-Kindness In Plain English is a book that will bring more love into your life.”

– Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge

“In Loving-kindness in Plain English Bhante Gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the Karaniya Metta Sutta, as well as other discourses that give guidance on practicing metta (lovingkindness). All of this will delight the reader who is interested in better understanding the traditional texts. Bhante Gunaratana also offers beautiful stories from his own life that illustrates the power and benefits of metta practice. There's something here for everyone.”

– Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness

“This latest installment in the In Plain Englishseries offers a straightforward and simple introduction to loving-kindness. Loving-friendliness, as the author prefers to call it, is more than a meditation practice; it is an attitude, a gift, and a way of peace. The humility and benevolence that pervades the stories makes this little book easy to understand, and instructive for living a good life. It is a joy to read!”

– Shaila Catherine, author of Focused and Fearless and Wisdom Wide and Deep

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More books from this author: Henepola Gunaratana