The Buddhist Metta (Lovingkindness) Prayer
The Buddhist Metta (Lovingkindness) Prayer is simple but profound. It starts by blessing oneself and gradually expands outward from there, eventually wishing good intentions for the entire world and all beings, even our enemies.
The Buddhist Metta (Lovingkindness) Prayer is simple but profound.
It starts by blessing oneself and gradually expands outward from there, eventually wishing good intentions for the entire world and all beings, even our enemies. There are many variations and translations of this prayer, but what follows is the essence of it; if we all said this prayer with sincerity at least once per week, the world could be a very different place:
- My heart fills with with loving kindness. I love myself. May I be happy. May I be well. May I be peaceful. May I be free.
- May all beings in my vicinity be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings in my city be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings in my state be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings in my country be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings on my continent be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings in my hemisphere be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings on planet Earth be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May my parents be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all my friends be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all my enemies be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- May all beings in the Universe be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
- If I have hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly in thought, word or deed, I ask for their forgiveness.
- If anyone has hurt me, knowingly or unknowingly in thought, word or deed, I extend my forgiveness.
May all beings everywhere, whether near or far, whether known to me or unknown, be happy. May they be well. May they be peaceful. May they be free.
Carry lovingkindness
Metta begins with yourself and widens out. A few pieces made for that practice:
Love and Compassion Rosewood Mala
Mala Beads — Rosewood with rose quartz and rhodonite counters. Built for the repetition a metta practice asks for.
The Strongest Souls Have the Softest Hearts
Pendants — A line worth having somewhere you will see it on a hard day. Sterling silver, small enough to wear under a collar.
Kindness Feels Pretty Cuff
Bracelets — Two engraved words, nothing else. An inexpensive thing to give someone who is having a rough season.
Heart Chakra Meditation Mala
Mala Beads — Stones chosen for the heart center. Metta traditionally starts there before it moves outward.