ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Our Name Change

In 2004 we incorporated as 501c3 non-profit organization and initially called ourselves the Alaya Institute. However, effective April 15, 2007 we changed our name to the Metta Institute^®.

Our leadership and mission remain unchanged. Metta Institute is a federally approved 501c3 charitable non-profit corporation guided by our Founder Frank Ostaseski and a volunteer Board of Directors. All Contributions to Metta Institute are fully tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.

Why Metta Institute?

Metta is an ancient Pali (Buddhist) term meaning loving-kindness, friendliness, benevolence and non-violence. It is a strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others. We chose it as our name because we believe it expresses the essential human quality that is most beneficial in the lives of those who are dying and for their caregivers. We also wanted a name that reflected our intention to have our work be guided by Buddhist teachings and ethics.

In our experience, we have noticed many dying people form two fundamental questions. "Am I loved" and "Did I love well"?

We asked ourselves what might be universally valuable at the time of dying? The answer was simple—loving-kindness. Metta is a love without attachment, a non-exclusive love, independent of self-interest. It fosters a sense of belonging and a feeling of safety, reducing feelings of isolation. It calms a distraught mind and serves as an antidote to anger and fear. Through the practice of Metta we cultivate the qualities of ease and well-being. It encourages us to express our generosity and kindness for all beings.

Taking Metta as our name reminds to go to the heart of the great matter of life and death.

Frank Ostaseski
Founder and Director

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