It is the first day of Ramadhan and, today as for the last 12 or so years, I am observing the fast. These thirty days an nights have become a precious practice for me and offer a way to connect with Muslims around the world, strengthen the bonds between myself and family and practice nekkhama parami. This Ramadhan I hope to put special emphasis on developing metta and karuna and will be ramping up my practice of tonglen to do so. I found the following aspiration prayer at https://www.upaya.org/dox/Tonglen.pdf and think it’s a particularly poignant way to start a month of fasting. May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness!
Having recognized the futility of my selfishness
And the great benefit of loving others, may I bring all beings to joy.
May I send all my virtues and happiness to others through the strength of my practice, and may I receive the suffering, obstacles, and defilements of all motherly beings in all realms.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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