Lovingkindness Practice Group with Shelly Graf: 11/5/2021
Channel: Common Ground Meditation Center
Date: 09/11/2021

Common Ground offers all programs freely in the spirit of generosity. If you'd like to learn more about how we operate or want to volunteer or donate to support the teachers’ livelihoods and the center’s operating costs, visit https://commongroundmeditation.org/about/supporting-the-center. 

CHANT recited at the BEGINNING of the program:
The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness 
This is what should bè done 
By one whò is skílled in gòodness and who knows the pàth of peace: 
Let them bè able and úpright, 
Stràightforward and gentlé ìn speech, 
Humble and not concèited, 
Còntented and éasily sàtisfied, 
Unburdened with dùties and frugal ín thèir ways. 
Peaceful and calm, ànd wise and skíllful, 
Nòt proud and demánding in nàture. 
Let them not dò the slíghtèst thing 
That thè wise would latér rèprove, 
Wishing: In gladness ànd in sáfety, 
May àll beings bé àt ease. 
Whatever livìng beings there mày be, 
Whether thèy are wéak òr strong, omìtting none, 
The great or the mìghty, medium, shórt, òr small, 
The seen and the ùnseen, Those living near and fár àway, 
Those born and tò bé born, 
May àll beings bé àt ease. 
Let none deceivè ànòther 
Or dèspise anỳ being in ánỳ state. 
Let none through anger or ìll-will 
Wish hárm upon anòther. 
Even as à mother protects with hèr life 
Her child, her ònlý child, 
So with a bóundless heart 
Should òne cherish all lívìng beings, 
Radiating kíndness over thè entírè world, 
Spreading upwards to the skíes and dòwnwàrds tò thé depths, 
Outwards and unbòunded, 
Frèed from hátréd and ìll-will. 
Whether standing or wàlking, seated or lýìng down, 
Free from dròwsiness, 
One should sùstain this rècolléction. 
This is said tò be thè sublíme abìding. 
By not holding to fìxed views, 
Thè pure-héartèd one, having clarity of vìsion, 
Being freed fròm all sénse-desires, 
Is not bórn ágain intò this world.

CHANT recited at the END of the program:
Suffusion with the Divine Abidings or Four Quarters Chant:
I will abide pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with
lovingkindness,
Likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth;
So above and below, around and everywhere and to all as to myself.
I will abide pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with
Lovingkindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and without ill-will
(Repeat with the other three divine abidings: compassion, gladness, and equanimity)