May You Be Happy, May You Be Well
There are times in our lives when it feels relatively easy to step into the gap when we witness suffering—to build a bridge, to reconnect, to manifest compassion, and to bring harmony back to universal oneness. But there are also times when circumstances present themselves, and no matter how hard we try, we struggle to engage fully with what is in front of us. In these moments, it’s tempting to look away or retreat into discursive mind, seeking some reasonable explanation for how to proceed.
I’m not saying reason has no place—it can help us move forward in many situations—but when it comes to cultivating Bodhicitta, our Bodhi mind, you’re not going to find most of the answers through reason alone.
At those times, it’s helpful to rely on a tried-and-true method: cultivate Metta. When things feel intractable or when you don’t know how to respond, simply return to this practice of loving-kindness. “May you be happy. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease.”
This consistent reminder of our intention—of opening our hearts to compassion, of seeing things truly—will, over time, soften the hardest situations, open doors we thought were closed, and allow us to step through as the embodiment of compassion.
As you go about your day today, when you see troubling situations, or when you feel lost in how to proceed, come back to “May you be happy. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease.” And don’t forget to offer it to yourself, too: “May I be happy. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease.”
Cultivating Metta in this way is not separate from the path; it is the path. It is becoming one with the Way.
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Join us for live meditation at One River Zen, Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 7:15 AM CST, or Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 6:45 PM CST, and experience the Early Morning Light talks in real time. You’ll start your day immersed in practice, with a cup of coffee waiting to greet you. Take a chance, step off the fence, and let this be the day you show up for your life.
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