It’s time to rise from our own ashes to wish Metta or loving-kindness for all, because the Covid-19 pandemic has spared no one, says CHANA MEDDIN
By now you’d have to live under a rock in the U.S. not to know our President tested positive for the coronavirus on October 2. He was airlifted with a fever to Walter Reed hospital. All this before he was to hold a news conference on coronavirus and seniors.
Howsoever tempting, this is not the time to indulge in schadenfreude, or taking delight in another’s pain. There is a Buddhist practice called Metta. In Pali, it means “good will” or “loving-kindness.” The prayer’s intentions are for good wishes and benevolence, first for ourselves then rippling out to our loved ones and, ultimately, to our enemies and all sentient beings. It begins something like this:
“May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be free from suffering.”
We can also add:
“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.”
It’s a prayer spoken silently or out loud once we are centered in the self, quiet within the inner fabric of our being. Good wishes emanate like a gentle ripple in a pond before inevitably finding their way back home again.
This seems the perfect moment for metta. Every moment is probably perfect, but in the heat of this historical moment, it’s the best I can imagine for our country, our world and myself. Extending loving-kindness has many benefits but I see it as kind of an insurance policy for the soul.
That, as news of the President’s illness dominates our collective psyches, we ensure kindness of spirit, heart and soul for ourselves. For all. We don’t take this moment to think, feel or say anything that could imperil our own intrinsic purity. It’s time for universal benevolence in our bitterly divided country. And ourselves.
Days after being viciously mocked by Trump for wearing a mask, Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden displayed dignity and grace today. “May God protect the First Family and every family that’s dealing with this virus,” he said, offering prayers that the President and First Lady “will make a quick and full recovery.”
Biden’s remarks reminded me of the Metta Prayer. And, despite what I and millions of other Americans may think of the President, “These are times that try men’s souls,” in the words of Thomas Paine’s, “The American Crisis.” Paine went on to say, “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” These words, written December 23, 1776, ring true today.
Our tyranny is one of spirit here in the United States, for we have seen human civility and decency torn asunder.
It’s time to rise from our own ashes to wish Metta for all. And not just Americans but for all, because the pandemic has spared no one.
Not even the American President.
Chana “Hana” Meddin is a lifelong meditator, nature photographer, artist, and wildlife advocate. She has written for the Times of India’s ‘Speaking Tree’ and has a story published in Oswald Pereira’s book, ‘How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life.’ She lives in Seattle with her cat, Annabelle Fluff. They both enjoy yoga.
You are right Chana to remind us about two essential truths.
This Pandemic is intelligent and shall spare none. It will visit mercilessly each family. Try to destroy the sacredness, often succeed and sometimes silently leave the space fetching another.
Yes it is a time to unite all in prayer. That alone may bring in some difference.
And the second one is sending blessings, as you call that ‘Metta.
We all have the beautiful power of blessing others, wishing others and healing ourselves and other. God remaining in me, you, him and her always eager to send blessings. In our own pettiness we never allow that power to manifest.
That is a remarkable power divine power, God’s power. Since we are not aware we do not use. Those who communicate with God each day spread their blessings in univetse.
Sarve bhabantu sukhina, Sarbheshantu niramaya…Sarbe Bharati pashyantu…
Thank you Chana for a compassionate post. I am sending my blessings for Trump. Be sure he and first lady shall be recovering within 10days time…
Dearest Manasji, I hope the universal truth that we are all interconnected dawns as a sacred spiritual gift of the pandemic. Because, yes, it spares no one. We are all vulnerable and sending blessing to each other with empathy and compassion is also a gift we give ourselves. I do believe many of us are in the process of blessing and becoming blessings. Becaus, yes, you are right that this is the time to unite all in prayer. As you say, “That is a remarkable power divine power, God’s power.” May we allow God’s power to flow through us and into the creation we serve with love and devotion.
Indeed Chana, it is time to wish Metta for all.
May this sincere prayer of soul rise from every soul & heal us all!
There is a beautiful universal prayer, a chanting for Peace in our Vedic tradition which as such is Metta in its essence, in service of all:
Om May everyone be happy,
May everyone be in good health,
May everyone see all that is good,
May there be no sufferings for all.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Peace ??
My dear Baturam, such a gorgeous Vedic prayer! It goes right to my heart and gives me peace reading your comment. Yes, call it Metta if one is Buddhist, the Vedic tradition predates and is the Mother tree from which these many branches blossom richly. Thank you for sharing this “beautiful universal prayer,” for the benefit of all we seek to serve with love overflowing.