One of the most profound practices for collective healing is Metta, or Loving-Kindness Meditation. Rooted in compassion, it offers a simple yet powerful prayer: “May all beings everywhere be safe. May all beings everywhere be healthy. May all beings everywhere live with ease.” I wrote my own version of Metta during the pandemic: May we all feel respected, may we all feel protected, may we all feel accepted, may we all feel loved.

I turn to my Metta chant in times of violence and division, expanding the circle of caring first to myself, then to those I love, and ultimately to all beings, everywhere. 

As we face the challenges of this moment, I invite you to try on one or all of these ancient and timeless tools: chanting, music, and loving-kindness meditation as a way to ground yourselves, reclaim peace of mind, and nurture the courage needed to build a more compassionate world.