user5143: I use Maithree meditation for many moments of stress instead of Anapanasati. Is it a recommended practice? I find out this works for me and helps me move away from the stress at hand and find present moment peace in my mind. All ideas are welcome! 

user120: Yes, it is recommended in the suttas; here is an excerpt from the Metta Sutta:

Thus have I heard:
On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana
  at Anathapindika's monastery. Then he addressed the monks saying,
  "Monks." — "Venerable Sir," said the monks, by way of reply. The
  Blessed One then spoke as follows:
"Monks, eleven advantages are to be expected from the release
  (deliverance) of heart by familiarizing oneself with thoughts of
  loving-kindness (metta), by the cultivation of loving-kindness, by
  constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding loving-kindness as
  a vehicle (of expression), and also as something to be treasured, by
  living in conformity with these thoughts, by putting these ideas into
  practice, and by establishing them. What are the eleven?

"He sleeps in comfort. 2. He awakes in comfort. 3. He sees no evil dreams. 4. He is dear to human beings. 5. He is dear to non-human
  beings. 6. Devas (gods) protect him. 7. Fire, poison, and sword cannot
  touch him. 8. His mind can concentrate quickly. 9. His countenance is
  serene. 10. He dies without being confused in mind. 11. If he fails to
  attain arahantship (the highest sanctity) here and now, he will be
  reborn in the brahma-world.


Also, here is an article on the benefits of lovingkindness meditation according to science that may be of interest. Not sure how I feel about all the scientific research on meditation to this point but worth a look.

user111: Metta meditation will help you to reduce stress caused by hatred. But it won't be much effective against stress caused by craving or clinging. Anapanasati meditation can be used to get away from all kinds of stress and calm the mind. But it may require Metta meditation at the start as it is hard to concentrate, if you get irritated a lot. Ultimately, it is Vipassana meditation that will give a lasting solution for stress. There is no end to other meditation types. You will have to keep practicing them to maintain whatever peaceful state you may attain.
You can use all these meditations in combination.
ex: 

Start with Metta and then do Anapanasati.
Start with Metta and then do Vipassana.
Start with Metta and then Anapanasati to attain Samadhi and then turn it to Vipassana.
Or just do one of those meditations from the start.

If you don't have a teacher, you can experiment and see what works best for you.

5143: <p>I use Maithree meditation for many moments of stress instead of Anapanasati. Is it a recommended practice? I find out this works for me and helps me move away from the stress at hand and find present moment peace in my mind. All ideas are welcome! </p>
 120: <p>Yes, it is recommended in the suttas; here is an excerpt from the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.016.piya.html" rel="nofollow">Metta Sutta</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Thus have I heard:</p>
  
  <p>On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana
  at Anathapindika's monastery. Then he addressed the monks saying,
  "Monks." — "Venerable Sir," said the monks, by way of reply. The
  Blessed One then spoke as follows:</p>
  
  <p>"Monks, eleven advantages are to be expected from the release
  (deliverance) of heart by familiarizing oneself with thoughts of
  loving-kindness (metta), by the cultivation of loving-kindness, by
  constantly increasing these thoughts, by regarding loving-kindness as
  a vehicle (of expression), and also as something to be treasured, by
  living in conformity with these thoughts, by putting these ideas into
  practice, and by establishing them. What are the eleven?</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>"He sleeps in comfort. 2. He awakes in comfort. 3. He sees no evil dreams. 4. He is dear to human beings. 5. He is dear to non-human
  beings. 6. Devas (gods) protect him. 7. Fire, poison, and sword cannot
  touch him. 8. His mind can concentrate quickly. 9. His countenance is
  serene. 10. He dies without being confused in mind. 11. If he fails to
  attain arahantship (the highest sanctity) here and now, he will be
  reborn in the brahma-world.</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>Also, here is <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emma-seppala-phd/18-sciencebased-reasons-t_b_5823952.html" rel="nofollow">an article</a> on the benefits of lovingkindness meditation according to science that may be of interest. Not sure how I feel about all the scientific research on meditation to this point but worth a look.</p>
 111: <p>Metta meditation will help you to reduce stress caused by hatred. But it won't be much effective against stress caused by craving or clinging. Anapanasati meditation can be used to get away from all kinds of stress and calm the mind. But it may require Metta meditation at the start as it is hard to concentrate, if you get irritated a lot. Ultimately, it is Vipassana meditation that will give a lasting solution for stress. There is no end to other meditation types. You will have to keep practicing them to maintain whatever peaceful state you may attain.</p>

<p>You can use all these meditations in combination.
ex: </p>

<ul>
<li>Start with Metta and then do Anapanasati.</li>
<li>Start with Metta and then do Vipassana.</li>
<li>Start with Metta and then Anapanasati to attain Samadhi and then turn it to Vipassana.</li>
<li>Or just do one of those meditations from the start.</li>
</ul>

<p>If you don't have a teacher, you can experiment and see what works best for you.</p>
