Painting by Pam White

I have an alter for my absent daughter.  Every day, I make sure that the flowers are fresh and focus on sending her love. A friend pointed out to me that unless the love that I am sending is reciprocal, the power of those intentions is less than it could be.  In Buddhism, metta practice is a lovingkindness meditation that focuses on sending love.  The first (and hardest) is sending love to oneself.  The last (and hardest) is sending it to someone that you see as an enemy.

May I be happy.  May I be peaceful.  May I be free from suffering.  May I be filled with love.