Brother Richard

while harvesting the wisdom of the past to inform our life now and to help build our life in the future.

Opening our being as fully as possible to compassion, to mercy, to grace,

recognizing that in taking this time, we are nurturing the seeds within us of new life, of peace, and of joy.

And if we find that as we name these things, there are particular images or narratives or stories that arise within us,

We do not become attached to them or grasp them.

We simply notice them and deliver them into the peace of the present moment.

Anchored there by the ebb and flow of our breath as we breathe in and breathe out.

Resting in compassion.

resting in mercy.

And in the truth of our meditation, as we know our great need to encounter compassion and mercy, we recognize the need of all other human beings for these gifts as well.

And we can make the inner resolution that so far as we are able to, we will offer compassion and mercy to all those we encounter.

At least holding to this as a primary intention of our life.

This is not about feeling any particular emotion,

but about creating a space for decision in the will.

Choosing compassion, choosing mercy, granting new beginning to ourselves and to all those we encounter through the grace of the present moment.

Through the grace of divine love holding all things in being.

All the while just breathing in and breathing out.

Breathing in and breathing out.

Breathing in and breathing out.

And recognizing that it is common to feel resistance to this in some places, in some relationships, because of some experiences.