Outward

When things get difficult in my life, my conditioned experience feels like a contraction.  I can't even begin to get into how natural and seductive that conditioning feels.  However, this past week, a practice resurfaced in my life that has really helped reverse that contraction.

Meta practice is a practice of directed intention.  It is employed in different ways, but essentially, it takes a target and offers the intention that they may be safe, healthy, happy and at ease/peace.  For all beings, it would look like this...

May all beings be safe.
May all beings be healthy.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be at peace.

It is simple.  It can be directed at anyone, although I will admit that it is often more difficult to do Meta for those who try my patience.  Regardless, I find great nourishment in turning my desire toward the well being of others. 

This is similar to the practice of praying for others.  My tradition as a Catholic practices this informally and formally (in the prayers of the faithful / intercession).  What I like about Meta practice is its progression from safety, to health, to happiness and finally on to peace. 

Having taught History and Social Science for over a decade, I am big fan of Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs.  In short it is a theory that states that human needs are prioritized in an order that begins with survival, moves on to safety, a few others, and finally ends with self-actualization.  Although it is not always the case, I have found the heirachy to be true.  It also suggests that in an aspect of our lives, a need must be met before we can consider the next need to be a priority.  This can be seen in early industrial cities where workers would accept very unsafe working conditions because failure to do so, all but ensured starvation for them and their family.

Seeking and intending for all beings to be safe, healthy, happy and at ease is fundamentally identical to our own actualization.  Seeing this brings a greater clarity to the impossible vows of the Bodhisattva.

Beings are numbers, I vow to free them.
Delusions are inexhautable, I vow to end them.
Dharma gates are endless, I vow to enter them.
The Buddha Way is unattainable, I vow to embody it.