Developing Practices
Metta Practice (Mettabhavana)
A meditative practice focused on cultivating an orientation of kindness, compassion and acceptance toward the world. Metta is a key Buddhist practice for the moral and emotional development of practitioners, without which mental concentration can not stabilize.
Mantra Meditation
Mantra meditation is an ancient, powerful form of practice that helps sharpen focus and cultivate a wide range of feelings associated with the content of the mantra. The deeper purpose, however, lies in the way that mantras can connect their practitioners with deep experiences beyond the thinking mind.
Here is a video by Sadghuru explaining the phenomenon of mantra meditation.
Forgiveness Meditation
Often taught as a subset of metta practice, forgiveness meditation is particularly important for contemplative practitioners in the US and Europe, many of whom suffer from the peculiar Western spiritual malady of self-hatred. Forgiveness meditation can be a powerful tool for developing equanimity, reducing feelings of anger, and for addressing persistent shame, guilt and fear that arise unbidden in the bodymind.
The Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield has several guided meditations and Dharma talks centered around forgiveness. You can find his general guided meditation on forgiveness here.
If shame or guilt are your primary obstacles, or you otherwise find it difficult to direct metta or other positive feelings toward yourself, Jack has a more intensive self-forgiveness meditation that can be found here.