For the past few weeks I’ve been having an exceptionally difficult time cultivating feelings of metta in my heart. This morning I decided to spend some time reciting the Korean name of Avalokiteshvara or Quan Yin. Why? Well, I have faith in the existence of innumerable unseen beings in celestial realms and I think of these celestial bodhisattvas as belonging to those realms. The Lord Buddha didn’t describe many of the beings by name but he certainly spoke of their existence so it’s quite possible that later practitioners met with and discovered the names and aims of these beings. So much for my cosmological underpinning and rationale.
The surprising thing about this morning was that, having formed the intention to ask for Kwan Se Um’s help in cultivating metta and karuna, there was a marked change. I could literally feel the light and kindness arising where it had been a cold and dry desert of feeling ink moments before. No, it’s not incontrovertible proof but it’s good enough for me to continue to call for help when outs needed and to petition for the succor of others.
May all beings have happiness and the causes for happiness.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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