Tag Archives: Metta Prayer

The Tears of Things

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I’m feeling sad today – how ’bout you?

Richard Rohr, in his book published last year (see book cover below), says it so well:

“There is an inherent sadness and tragedy in almost all situations: in our relationships, our mistakes, our failures large and small, and even our victories. We must develop a very real empathy for this reality, knowing that we cannot fully fix things, entirely change them, or make them to our liking …. all things have tears and all things deserve tears.” p.4 of The Tears of Things by Richard Rohr (c) 2025.

The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage: Rohr, Richard: 9780593735817: Amazon.com: Books

Fortunately, I’m also recalling the Buddha’s metta (loving-kindness) prayer: “May we be happy … may we be well … may we be safe … may we live with ease.”

Now if I can only hold the feelings of sadness and loving-kindness simultaneously. How ’bout you?

Picture taken by author at Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville, MS

Jan 7 – “Nothingness is Infinite Possibilities”

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One last post on the excellent book by Cynthia Bourgeault, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, (c) 2004.

Centering Prayer (CP) might better be called the “path to your most interior self” or the “abiding prayer of silence.” The name itself is not important it is the practice of meditation that makes a difference.

CP is the creation of inter-religious and interspiritual dialogue. Based on Hindu, Zen Buddhism, Jain, Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Quaker), 12 Step Program for Recovery to Addiction, Transcendental Meditation and Ken Wilbur’s 9-Level Fallacy.

Ultimately, committed daily sitting in silence will encourage you to:

  1. Renew your own tradition (e.g., Buddhist meditation)
  2. Be of service to others in the community
  3. Engage in and appreciate interspiritual dialogue

I highly recommend reading or listening to the audiobook for Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening and/or watching the 1hr/17-minute YouTube video linked above with special attention on the last 17 minutes.

As Thomas Keating said, the nothingness (of sitting in silence) leads to infinite possibilities.