Taking the Fear Out of Presentations
The Power of Loving-Kindness to Transform Public Speaking
I regularly practice loving-kindness meditation, also known as metta meditation. Metta is the word in the original Pali language, and it doesn’t have an exact translation in English. It means something like universal goodwill or friendliness, but most often it’s translated as “loving-kindness.” Metta meditation has transformed my life in many ways, but there is one concrete benefit I get from it that others may benefit from as well. It has significantly improved my ability to speak in public, give presentations, and lead meetings, both in person and on Zoom or other video conferencing services.
What is Loving-Kindness Meditation?
Loving-Kindness or Metta meditation is a form of Buddhist meditation focused on cultivating benevolence towards others and yourself. In loving-kindness meditation, the meditator silently repeats phrases such as:
May you be happy
May you be free from suffering
May you be well
May you be healthy
May you live with ease
May you be safe
The meditator usually directs these phrases toward him or herself, then toward someone they have a positive and…
