Brother Richard

the truth not only of the present moment, but the truth of our own being.

We recognize that there is positive and negative within us, joy and sorrow, elation, and even the tragedies that we have gone through in our life story so far.

All of this present to us, even as we seek the presence of the present moment.

Recognizing now that to touch the present moment with truth is to bring the truth of our entire being with us, of our entire story.

Recognizing ourselves as a work in progress

beginning again with each breath, beginning again with each encounter with the present moment, and recognizing the grace that comes to us in living in this way, not imprisoned or trapped by the past, but dwelling in the present,

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.