So I have been working with abyapajjo homi and think I may have settled on the phrase “May I be free from inner harm.” I like this rendering because I feel that it’s broader in its meaning (it is not referring solely to mental phenomena but can refer to emotions and the sum of one’s internal life as well). It may very well be hair-splitting but it is truly a matter of praxis for me: I’m simply unable to concentrate effectively on a phrase if I am not at ease with its meaning.
As it stands I was not really getting any traction with using May I be free of mental suffering” so it will be interesting to see if the heart warms to this contemplation. May we all be free from inner and outer harm!
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
Hi!
For some time I have been following your blog with joy, in that we both have a contemplative lifestyle in common (though mine is rooted in Tibetan Buddhism). Therefore, I’d like to honor you with the Liebster Award, in recognition of the inspiration you provide me with. To see what this is all about, please follow this link to my blog: https://108plus.wordpress.com/about/liebster-award/
In any case, I will continue to read your thoughtful and deeply reflective posts!
Cheers,
Jess
By: Tucson Blonde on 04/05/2013
at 5:00 am
Thank you Jess! It is always nice to see your feedback–it gladdens my heart and inspires my own practice. Be well!
By: Upāsaka on 04/05/2013
at 8:48 am
I’m frustrated in my practice because I feel that phrases like ‘May I/they be/have X’ have little meaning: they are just other ways of saying ‘I want to be X etc.’, and that seems banal and trivial. My best alternative at the moment are phrases like ‘I will strive to…’ but they don’t fit all contexts. I can’t think of many cases where we use ‘may I/he….’ in this sense outside of Buddhism either: ‘may he rot in hell!’ is one example but again that seems to mean nothing more than ‘I hope he rots…’. What sense do others make of these phrases?
By: Vivian Paganuzzi on 05/30/2013
at 12:46 pm
Hi Vivian,
For me, these phrases are simply aids in inclining the mind towards well-wishing to myself and all beings. I would suggest bringing awareness to the feelings that arise as you recite these lines or you may abandon the phrases altogether and try a more analytical approach. Here is a Dhamma talk you might find helpful: http://dhammatalks.org/Archive/121016_The_Brahmaviharas_are_Not_Enough.mp3
By: Upāsaka on 05/30/2013
at 1:57 pm