HomeThe main page of Asian Reflection Perennial Joy1st extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Razor's Edge2nd extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Ruler Within3rd extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Tree of Eternity4th extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher Simple UnionSimple Union was penned by the Punjabi mystic Kabir, adored by Muslims and Hindus alike The Path to Your DwellingMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Life of My LifeMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Come, BelovedMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Finding UnityLao Tzu gets straight to the point in this delightful passage Discourse on Good WillThis Buddhist text speaks of love and unity, reminding us of our highest aspirations The IslandFacing fear of death can be a great motivator for those on the spiritual path, and this simple Buddhist speaks confidently of what can be achieved

Discourse on Good Will

This Buddhist text speaks of love and unity, reminding us of our highest aspirations.

May all beings be filled with joy and peace.
May all beings everywhere,
The strong and the weak,
The great and the small,
The mean and the powerful,
The short and the long,
The subtle and the gross:

May all beings everywhere,
Seen and unseen,
Dwelling far off or nearby,
Being or waiting to become:
May all be filled with lasting joy.

Let no one deceive another,
Let no one anywhere despise another,
Let no one out of anger or resentment
Wish suffering on anyone at all.

Just as a mother with her own life
Protects her child, her only child, from harm,
So within yourself let grow
A boundless love for all creatures.

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.

Then, as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.

From God Makes the Rivers to Flow by Eknath Easwaran, founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, copyright © 1991; republished by permission of Nilgiri Press, Tomales, California.