[I received this statement from some friends at the San Francisco Lodge of the Theosophical Society as part of their March/April 2000 schedule.]

The Dalai Lama has asked that the following practice be shared with as many people as possible. A group recently spent days visiting with the Dalai Lama focusing on what they believe are the five most important questions to be considered as we move into the new millennium:

(1) How do we address the widening gap between rich and poor?
(2) How do we protect the Earth?
(3) How do we educate our children?
(4) How do we help the oppressed peoples of the world?
(5) How do we bring spirituality (deep caring for one another) through all disciplines of life?

The Dalai Lama said all five questions fall under the last one. If we have true compassion in our hearts, our children will be educated wisely, we will care for the earth, those who "have not" will be cared for. The group asked the Dalai Lama, "Do you think love on the planet is increasing or staying the same?" His response: "My experience leads me to believe that love is increasing."

He shared a simple practice that will increase love and compassion in the world. He asked everyone in the group to share it with as many people as they can. The practice is:

(1) Spend five minutes at the beginning of each day, remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and to be loved) and we are all connected to one another.
(2) Spend five minutes breathing in, cherishing yourself; and breathing out, cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing, extend that attitude to them anyway.
(3) During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet. Practice cherishing the "simplest" person (clerks, attendants, etc.) as well as the "important" people in your life; cherish the people you love and the people you dislike.
(4) Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you.

These thoughts are very simple, inspiring and helpful. The practice of cherishing can be taken very deep if done wordlessly, allowing yourself to feel the love and appreciation that already exists in your heart. Will you commit to creating Peace in yourself and thereby "on Earth" by spending ten minutes a day with this simple meditation? Please pass this on to as many people as you can.