Mark,

Tastelessness I was pointing at is the sense that any exit from the roundabout is dull, empty of nourishment, of enjoyment. The decrease in passion is a result of that view… why act, do anything, when the results are tasteless. Might as well just keep circling in the roundabout.

My teacher helped me see how its cause is selfish action, such as sitting and stewing too long in our own story. Metta helps break that open, our intentions and dreams aim again at mutual nourishment, helping ourselves, as well as others. Then, any exit from the roundabout becomes another adventure. What’s there? What can I do to help? Them or me, learn or teach, clap or play, what an adventure! The focus moves away from “who am I, and what should I be doing”, and back to a more invigorating curious space. “Out of the head”, and more balanced. Breath meditation doesn’t always help with that (unless we have a lot of practice cultivating mindfulness) for various reasons.

I’m glad the metta meditation is helping, what a relief, no? Consider that if you’re offered an opportunity to give kindness during your day, jumping in with a smile dramatically increases the momentum of metta. After all, nobility on the cushion is one thing, but acting from the space of that nobility is quite another!

With warmth,
Matt