When it was first invented in the 1300s in medieval Europe, this holiday was a celebration of romantic love, the coming of spring and the freedom to choose a partner, rather than having one chosen for you. Today that ancient and optimistic message remains but is often buried under a pile of consumer goods ' chocolates, cards, stuffed animals, plastic toys, expensive dinners and roses that cost so much more than you think. Yet love is one of the richest and most diverse human emotions. There are many ways to experience love ' so this holiday, as a scholar of mindfulness and communication, I encourage you to try out a practice of 'metta,' or loving-kindness. In the ancient Pali language, the word 'metta' has two root meanings. The first is 'gentle,' in the sense of a gentle spring rain that falls on young plants without discrimination. The second is 'friend.' A metta friend is a true friend ' someone who is always there for you without fail and without demanding anything in exchange,...
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