Lovingkindness or metta is a Buddhist practice. Traditionally, the practice begins with cultivating loving kindness towards yourself, then your loved ones, friends, teachers, strangers, and towards all sentient beings. Finally this practice can be done with people you feel ill will for. Buddhists believe that those who cultivate metta will be at ease because they will see no need to harbour ill will. A metta practice would be to meditate on these phrases: May I be happy. May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I have ease of well being. Extend this out to family and friends. Saying these words slowly. May you be happy. May you be safe. May you be healthy. May you have ease of well being. Extend this out to your community. Then extend it even further to all sentient beings of the air, of the land and of the water repeating those phrases. I have found this practice useful during periods of sleeplessness and have also enjoyed practicing metta while driving, thinking the phrases as I pass others. It feels really sweet sending out thoughts of goodwill to strangers.

Radiating metta is thought to contribute to a world of love, peace and happiness. Dr. Deepak Chopra, world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing, recently gave a global online meditation for the people of Japan. He spoke of how we can help others by making our own lives an example of the peace and healing that we wish for others. He speaks about a new planetary mind where “there is a collective impulse for a world of peace, social justice, health and sustainability.” Due to the suffering in Japan, he presents the meditation as an opportunity for a global, collective intention for healing and that this collective desire will affect others.Chopra remarks that we are part of one divine consciousness and that we can re-awaken our divine collective qualities of: loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity- peace.

He begins the meditation with the intent to awaken these divine qualities in each of us. He brings attention to our hearts and feelings of gratitude by reflecting on our blessings. In the silence we experience gratitude. While keeping attention to the heart he suggests to make an intention of performing one act of loving kindness to a stranger and to awaken the desire to do this. In silence we experience loving kindness. He then speaks about awakening compassion and feeling the suffering of others around the world. In silence we feel other’s pain and desire to alleviate their suffering. The meditation continues with the intent of awakening each divine quality within ourselves.

Chopra explains that our collective intent makes a critical mass effect for a peaceful, healthy and happy world. We are one body, one mind, one consciousness that are all part of a great, divine intelligence moving into a new reality. He asks us to remember this connection to one another and our divine qualities. It is an interesting thought- to change the world, we need to change ourselves. It builds on the teachings of Gandhi “Be the change that you wish to see in this world”. This framework for a new world reality is popping up all over in the last few years, in books, movies, art and science.

Some may think that ideas of a collective conscious is not plausible but I wonder if maybe the time is right for these ideas to come forth. They are nothing new as many religions have these core principles about the power of belief. The only difference now is that science is utilizing these concepts. Maybe there is a resurrection in truly re-awakening to these truths because their time has come. People in greater masses are ready to evolve spiritually. To listen to his meditation check out blogtalkradio.com/chopracenter. Coincidentally, I was presented with this Buddhist quote shortly after the Chopra meditation- “You may search the world and not find anyone more serving of your love and compassion than yourself.” Post this on your mirror and change the world.