Meta…the word for the Buddhist concept of compassion. I came across this word while reading The Barn at the End of the World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O’Reilley. It is a wonderful collection of stories, memories and wisdom from this poet, musician, former nun, writer, teacher,  which has the power to make you cry one moment and laugh hysterically the next. I was drawn to it by its lovely cover which has a simple pastoral drawing of two sheep standing in a field of hay. Eyes straight ahead, wool, shaggy and in need of shearing, they look as if they are posing for the picture.How could I resist?

We often speak of compassion as something we have, something we, perhaps, feel. But in her description of compassion, O’Reilley speaks of ‘sending’ compassion with the prayer: "May you be safe, may your body be well, may your mind be at peace." When I read those words, all the people I know that would welcome being sent that message came to mind. I imagined myself walking downstairs each morning, still in my pajamas, making coffee, prepared to send this message to all I meet….and some I never will. This would be my daily work……sending compassion.

To the woman who waits for test results….may your body be well. To the parent who worries about a child….may your mind be at peace. To all the children at the bus stop, in the war zones, in the shelters….may you be safe. To the daughter who buried her mother last week….peace. To those who suffer from illness, hunger…..wellness. To those who have lost their homes, schools, livelihoods to fire…..peace. To the skies which will not rain and those that rain too much….wellness.

On and on we might go. Dipping from our ‘meta’ basket. Tossing out compassion to the world. Petals of manna falling down on all Creation….safety, wellness, peace. What a sight it might be!