4 prayers for 4 directions

Got into a very good habit on holiday.

As I left to begin my day I would turn right to an imaginary East. In this direction I wished peace to the people at the end of their lives, who like to sit and talk about the past. I wished myself the patience to sit at length and hear all their stories. I bowed.

Then I turned right again to an imaginary South. In this direction I wished joy to the young children at the start of their lives, who like to get absorbed into fantasies and adventures. I wished myself the good humour to get absorbed and play along too. I bowed.

Then I turned right again to an imaginary West. In this direction I shared the joy of couples as they explored love for each other and the excitement of setting up families. I bowed.

When I turned right again it was to an imaginary North and the direction of my day. In this direction I wished that I should bring peace and happiness to everyone that I met.

This was a very good practice that made my energy with everyone that I met very positive. The bit I liked the most was that it trained me to share what other people had rather than to seek it myself. Too much time is spent going through these stages oneself, and too little time being a part of other people.