"May you be happyMay you be peaceful .. at ease
May you accept yourself just as you are
May you be free to live and love fully"
At this time of the year when we are celebrating (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah) we are reminded of all the people we love and care about; some near, some in far off lands, some no longer with us. Based on the Buddhist practice of Metta, this is a wonderful time to be still and in our meditation radiate a gentle and peaceful love, and wish for happiness, to ourselves and others.
Metta is a Pali word translated as 'love', or more often 'loving kindness' .. an unconditional wish of wellness for all, an openhearted offering of kindness and caring.
Based on the traditional Buddhist practice of mettā bhāvanā ("cultivation of mettā") in this meditation we silently repeat some classic phrases, systematically offering loving-kindness first to ourselves, then to a loved one, a dear friend, a neutral person, someone we find a little difficult .. and then to the entire world.
At times when I silently fear for someone's well being, or weep for their misfortune or pain, in this practice I am at least able to offer them a deep wish for happiness, peace, acceptance and love. Sometimes that is all that we can do...
.. offering metta to ourselves:
May I be happy
May I be peaceful … at ease
May I accept myself just as I am
May I be free to live and love fully
.. offering metta to others :
May you be happy
May you be peaceful .. at ease
May you accept yourself just as you are
May you be free to live and love fully…
And please don't worry if you don't truly feel the love and heart warmth for others .. it is much more important that our intention is there .. to at least begin to open to others .. in this way our meditation helps us shift our focus .. from getting love to creating it .. from 'I' to 'us' .. from controlling life to embracing it ..
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