For those who practice Metta, has it helped your mental health?
out of the different meditation practices i have dabbled in, Metta make the most sense to me. I have very little self esteem and view myself inferior to others, weird, creepy, boring etc. I have also isolated myself (but not in a healthy way) for years and so have become neurotic, self focused and disconnected. I sometimes go days without communicating with others due to social anxiety and self esteem. My thoughts towards others are quite toxic also, thinking that they are a threat and best avoided. Depression also due to this way of living, thoughts often of self terminating.
My practice for a few days has been to repeat these:
"May i be happy"
"May I be healthy"
"May i be peaceful"
"May i live with ease"
(a few rounds of these no strict rule but maybe 5-10 minutes
Then
"May all being be happy"
"May all beings be healthy"
"May all being be peaceful"
"May all beings live with ease"
(same duration)
In total around 15-20miutes per day
I don't just focus on the mantra, but the feelings they refer to (happy, peace) and can do a fairly decent job of feeling them i.e when i say may i be happy i feel light and might crack a small smile