International Day of Friendship

“Giving love to others is a quick way to spark joy within yourself, but it is essential that you have love within yourself to give away in the first place.”  Azim Khamisa

Would you like to see a world filled with friendship and goodwill? The first step to attaining it is feeling it and imagining it. Here’s a Metta Meditation, or Loving Kindness Meditation, that helps us direct our minds in that direction. It’s four lines that are repeated in five directions. You can say it out loud, or in your mind with eyes closed, your choice.

May I be healthy.  1. Direct this towards yourself .  

May I be happy.

May I be at peace.

May I be loved.

May you be healthy.  2. Direct these 4 lines towards someone you love.

May you be happy.  3. Direct these 4 lines towards someone neutral.

May you be at peace.  4. Direct these 4 lines towards someone with whom you have difficulty.

May you be loved.  5. Direct these 4 lines towards the entire world.

It’s easy to balk at the fourth step: wish good to our enemies? Yes! It’s the only way that we can feel peace ourselves. Azim Khamisa can attest to that. He was able to find peace by forgiving his own son’s murderer. 

The impulse of friendship starts within, and we can be a better friend to others if we’re a better friend to our own selves. Then the impulse can move further and further. Let yourself follow and stretch your impulse of friendship, and see where it leads you.