I love using prayers and mantras to enhance my yoga sessions and help me re-connect with the surrounding universe. I came across the one below, which happens to be the favourite of the Dalai Lama, which sends love and healing to beings suffering all over the world. Each time I read it I am reminded that we are all connected as one living, breathing organism and that we all have a responsibility to be there for and love one another, no matter the age, race or social status. When we feel compassionate and loving thoughts towards the external world, we will feel these within, also benefitting from the positivity that we are sharing. Just like if we give off hatred, jealously and anger towards the external world, we drain ourselves of our happiness and fill ourselves with negative energy, which in return will only create more life obstacles for us. I now have this written out and stuck up on my wall to return to regularly, especially towards the end of my hatha practise, so that I can remind myself to be humble, express gratitude and feel compassionate towards others. “May all beings everywhere Plagued by sufferings of body and mind Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer, Commit evil, or ever fall ill. May no one be afraid or belittled, With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms And the deaf hear sounds, May those whose bodies are worn with toil Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing, The hungry find food; May the thirsty find water And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth, Those weak with sorrow find joy; May the forlorn find hope, Constant happiness, and prosperity.
May there be timely rains And bountiful harvests; May all medicines be effective And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill Quickly be freed from their ailments. Whatever diseases there are in the world, May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid And those bound be freed; May the powerless find power, And may people think of benefiting each other.
For as long as space remains, For as long as sentient beings remain, Until then may I too remain To dispel the miseries of the world.”