These are trying times. As we are bombarded with a sea of words about the worldwide health crisis, it’s important that we also find words to comfort and protect ourselves and our loved ones. With this in mind, I wanted to share beautiful words gifted to me by a wise and wonderful mentor and guide for the Buddhist practice of metta, a practice of lovingkindness, to be spoken both for ourselves and others.

For yourself:

May I be safe and protected.
May I be strong and healthy.
May I be happy and peaceful.
May I have ease of being in the world.
May I be free to pursue right livelihood
and well-being.
May I be free from physical suffering.
May I be free from mental suffering.
May I have ease of being in the world.
May I be safe. May I be happy.
May I be free.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be happy and free.

For others we love and throughout the world:

May you be safe and protected.
May you be strong and healthy.
May you be happy and peaceful.
May you have ease of being in the world.
May you be free to pursue right livelihood
and well-being.
May you be free from physical suffering.
May you be free from mental suffering.
May you have ease of being in the world.
May you be safe. May you be happy.
May you be free.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be happy and free.

May I be safe and protected. May you be safe and protected. Write on.