Find a place where that feeling of mettā begins to establish itself and then protect it. Then use the different phrases to try to support, nurture, and hold loving-kindness in a skillful way so that it can grow and expand.

Ajahn Pasanno
Monastic
Ajahn Pasanno took ordination in Thailand in 1974 and was a disciple of Ajahn Chah. He is now the Guiding Elder at Abhayagiri Monastery.