In God Makes the Rivers to Flow; An Anthology of the World’s Sacred Poetry & Prose, Eknath Easwaran includes a selection from the Sutta Nipata entitled “Discourse on Good Will.” I’ve written the following poem-like reflections inspired by this selection.
Limitless Love
Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
—The Sutta Nipata
Let us love like the Mother,
love like the Father,
may our love spread like ink on cotton,
may our love be the living water
that bubbles up from the divine
and quenches every thirst.
May we hold the universe in our arms
like an infant,
may we cuddle the universe as it coos.
May we be like a puppy loving
every hand that touches it,
nipping in play,
licking the universe on its lips.
May we run around inviting
strangers into our embrace,
knowing that no one is truly a stranger.
May we have compassion on the beggars.
May we care for the poor,
feed the hungry,
clothe those who need clothing.
May we build homes for the homeless.
May we have compassion on snakes and butterflies.
May we love cougars and ants.
May we celebrate dolphins and sharks.
May we delight in spiders and beavers.
May we care for raccoons and skunks.
May we protect the habitat of alligators.
May we feed the squirrels and birds.
May we love the desert and its creatures.
May we love the mountains and their creatures.
May we love lakes and rivers and oceans
and all the beings that make their home among them.
May we give the valleys our best.
May our love cross continents.
May our love cross stars and galaxies.
May we hold aliens in our prayers.
May we hold spirits in our prayers.
May we send out blessings with our every thought.
May our lives be prayers of blessing.
May we bless the universe with joy.
May we bless the universe with peace.
May we bless the universe with faith.
May we bless the universe with confidence.
May our love be like bread to the hungry.
May we nourish the universe with our limitless love.
