Result of Developing and Cultivating A Mind of Loving-kindness

Monks, suppose there was a sharp-pointed spear, and a man would come along thinking: I will bend back this sharp-pointed spear with my hand or fist, twist it out of shape, and twirl it around.

What do you think Monks, would it be possible for that man to do so?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

For what reason?

‘Because it is not easy to bend back that sharp-pointed spear with one’s hand or fist, to twist it out of shape, or to twirl it around. That man would only experience fatigue and frustration.’

So too, Monks, when a Monk has developed and cultivated the liberation of mind by loving-kindness, made it a vehicle, made it a basis, stabilized it, exercised himself in it, and fully perfected it, if a non-human being thinks he can overthrow his mind, that non-human being would only experience fatigue and frustration.

Therefore, Monks, you should train yourselves thus: We will develop and cultivate the liberation of mind by loving-kindness, make it our vehicle, make it our basis, stabilize it, exercise ourselves in it, and fully perfect it.

Thus should you train yourselves.

(Reference: SN 20.5)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how through training the mind in loving-kindness, the mind is liberated and unaffected by others attempts to “overthrow” or shake up the mind.