Metta Meditation Timer
Cultivate Compassion and Loving-Kindness
Open your heart with a timer designed for metta and compassion practices.
The Heart of Loving-Kindness
Metta meditation, or loving-kindness practice, cultivates unconditional friendliness toward all beings. This ancient Buddhist practice involves directing well-wishes first to yourself, then systematically extending that kindness to loved ones, neutral people, difficult people, and ultimately all beings everywhere. Through repeating phrases like "May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be free from suffering," practitioners develop genuine warmth and compassion. Research shows this practice reduces self-criticism, increases empathy, and improves relationships while decreasing anxiety and depression.
Structuring Your Metta Practice
Timing is essential in metta meditation to ensure balanced attention to each category of beings. Without structure, we might linger too long with loved ones or rush through difficult people. A timer creates equal space for extending kindness to all, including ourselves. The systematic progression through different recipients benefits from clear transitions. Interval bells help you move smoothly from self to loved ones to neutral people, maintaining the practice's traditional structure while adapting to your available time.
Metta Practice with Samsara
Samsara provides the perfect framework for loving-kindness meditation. Set intervals for each category of recipients—perhaps 5 minutes each for self, loved ones, neutral people, difficult people, and all beings. The gentle bells guide your transitions without jarring you from the warm-hearted state you're cultivating. Create different profiles for various metta practices: quick morning sessions focused on self-compassion, or longer evening practices extending kindness widely. Track your metta sessions to observe how regular practice affects your daily interactions and emotional well-being.
Features for Loving-Kindness Practice
Interval Transitions
Gentle bells guide you through each recipient category
Flexible Segments
Customize time spent with each group of beings
Practice Variations
Save settings for different metta practice styles
Compassion Tracking
Observe how regular practice affects your well-being
What Practitioners Say
The interval bells are perfect for metta practice. They help me give equal time to all beings, including the difficult ones I might otherwise skip. My relationships have transformed.
— Compassion Practitioner
I use this timer daily for loving-kindness meditation. The structure helps me maintain the traditional progression while the tracking shows me how consistent practice softens my heart.
— Metta Student
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend on each category of beings?
A balanced approach might be 3-5 minutes per category for a 15-25 minute session. Beginners often spend more time on self and loved ones initially. Samsara's intervals let you customize based on your needs and available time.
What if I struggle sending kindness to difficult people?
This is common and natural. Set shorter intervals for challenging categories initially, gradually increasing as your capacity grows. The timer helps you maintain structure even when the practice feels difficult.
Can I use this for other compassion practices?
Yes! Samsara works well for tonglen (taking and giving), compassion meditation, and forgiveness practices. Set appropriate intervals for different phases of these heart-centered practices.
Should I track my metta practice differently from other meditation?
While all meditation is beneficial, tracking metta separately can help you maintain balance between heart and mindfulness practices. Samsara lets you see patterns in how different practices support your overall well-being.
