I've noticed that this past week there have lots of readers from the Ukraine coming to this site. I'm glad to know that there are people in the Ukraine that are searching for ways to deal with what has happened with forgiveness. I also want any Ukrainian readers to know that there are people all over the world that support you and are praying for your well being.
When life shattering events occur, there is certainly much deep forgiveness work that can be done. There are ideas in my book and throughout this site that may help with that. However, in this posting I want to offer again a process, a Buddhist Metta prayer, that can easily and immediately help everyone get on the pathway to forgiveness around this issue.
Whenever we "flip the switch" in our minds from fear to love, we are beginning to forgive. A Course in Miracles defines a miracle as "a shift in perception that takes place within the mind". This little Metta prayer is truly a miracle-maker because in a matter of moments it takes you to love.
The prayer was written by Lama Surya Das and can be found in his book "Awakening the Budda Within". There are many metta prayers and all have similar intentions. However, the language in this one is particularly beautiful and seems to speak to everyone who reads it.
Here's what you do. Get a picture in your mind of anyone involved in the recent events in Ukraine, the protagonists, the victims, the villains and the innocent by-standers. You are going to say this prayer for each and every one of them. Say the prayer as sincerely as you can and really direct the words out to the individuals or groups whom you wish to receive its benefits. If you need to, you can repeat it several times, once for people you feel angry with, another for victims, another for the people you are simply worried about, etc.
When life shattering events occur, there is certainly much deep forgiveness work that can be done. There are ideas in my book and throughout this site that may help with that. However, in this posting I want to offer again a process, a Buddhist Metta prayer, that can easily and immediately help everyone get on the pathway to forgiveness around this issue.
Whenever we "flip the switch" in our minds from fear to love, we are beginning to forgive. A Course in Miracles defines a miracle as "a shift in perception that takes place within the mind". This little Metta prayer is truly a miracle-maker because in a matter of moments it takes you to love.
The prayer was written by Lama Surya Das and can be found in his book "Awakening the Budda Within". There are many metta prayers and all have similar intentions. However, the language in this one is particularly beautiful and seems to speak to everyone who reads it.
Here's what you do. Get a picture in your mind of anyone involved in the recent events in Ukraine, the protagonists, the victims, the villains and the innocent by-standers. You are going to say this prayer for each and every one of them. Say the prayer as sincerely as you can and really direct the words out to the individuals or groups whom you wish to receive its benefits. If you need to, you can repeat it several times, once for people you feel angry with, another for victims, another for the people you are simply worried about, etc.
May all beings be happy, content and fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all beings have whatever they want and need.
May all beings be protected from harm, and free from fear.
May all beings enjoy inner peace and ease.
May all beings be awakened, liberated, and free.
May there be peace in this world and throughout the entire universe.
(You can insert someone's name instead of using the words "all beings" if you have a particular person or group of people in mind. By the way, this prayer is so powerful, it will absolutely change your life if you use it every day. My advice would be to print it out in a word document, perhaps add a beautiful picture to it like the heart world below and take it to your local office store to have them laminate it for you. Then use it first thing in the morning.)
I would like to encourage all readers of this posting to say this prayer for the Ukraine and sincerely wish that everyone involved will be lifted up, be safe and will find a way to heal and to bring more love into their lives.
Available at:
Amazon.com
Barnesandnoble.com
As a next step in forgiveness, I would suggest a guided meditation process that you can download for $2.99 called "Forgive the World Now". It only takes 17 minutes to do and it will take you to a place where you will be able to see all this from a different perspective.
And finally, here is a link to an article I like titled, "The Path to World Peace Starts Within" from The Power of Oneness. A few excerpts:
"The condition of our physical world is a giant mirror reflecting back to us the collective thoughts of every person who is part of our earth family. since thought is creative, whatever we focus on expands. Therefore, what we are seeing is an indication that part of our human society is predominately focused on judgement, violence, greed and crime.
We can point a finger of blame wherever and to whomever we want, but it does not change the truth that each of us has played a part in creating the condition of the world in which we live.
We can only change the quality of our collective personal reality by taking personal responsibility for the part we have each played in creating it. Since all change begins at the level of self, when we change our individual lives, the world around us changes as well.