2017, as you know, has been a year of turmoil. Our news headlines are filled with stories of hate, untruth, prejudices and all kinds of division. Most of us have not seen this kind of world since the civil rights and anti-war rallies. One of the differences between then and now is that media and messages reach thousands of people in lightning speed — but is that good? Often, stories are repeated before they are checked for accuracy — which just makes the story worse, in some cases.
A friend reminded me this last week, that before we repeat a story, we need to ask ourselves: Is it True? Is it Good? Is it Useful? If our words don’t met this criteria, why are we repeating and sharing it?
Rather than repeating negative stories we have heard (didn’t this use to be called gossip?), how about we try to find the good in the situation. If we come from a position of love and acceptance rather than negativity, I feel we could slowly improve our corner of the world.
Maybe we can try the following prayer/chant/mantra, recommended by a New Thought minister, to help heal the hurt of this world:
The Buddha taught a powerful centering mantra to help keep the mind focused on loving-kindness. It consists of four “chants” to say internally:
- May I be safe
- May I have mental happiness
- May I have physical happiness
- May I have ease of well-being
Work with this mantra. First, center in the Love within you. Then say this mantra for yourself. Now, expand it out and say it (in your mind) to another. Then say it to someone you find difficult to love. Finally, say it for all beings in the world. Allow yourself to act with kindness. Sow seeds that will grow in their own way and time, trusting in the universe to nurture those seeds. Ask Spirit within to guide and support you in this process.
Let’s make this a part of our daily spiritual practice:
May YOU be safe …. May YOU have mental happiness …. May YOU have physical happiness …. May YOU have ease of well-being ….
Hate cannot have a hold on us when we are praying from the happiness of ALL.