In a world where division, blame, and anger seem to dominate, the Jewish Holy Days offer a timeless and much-needed call for compassion, forgiveness, and unity. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the Days of Awe invite us all—regardless of background or faith—to pause and reflect on the power of renewal. These days ask us to consider not only our relationship with the divine but also with one another, encouraging us to move beyond blame and finger-pointing toward a place of mutual understanding and healing.
While rooted in Jewish tradition, the themes of Rosh Hashanah resonate universally. This is a time to recognize that our actions impact those around us, and it offers us the opportunity to choose a different path: one of compassion and forgiveness. In today’s divided world, the call to forgive, to seek peace, and to foster harmony feels more urgent than ever.
A Universal Practice of Loving-Kindness
Though this practice has its roots in many spiritual traditions, the desire for peace, compassion, and loving-kindness is not confined to any one faith or belief system. Across the world, differences arise not only in religion but in political ideologies, governance, and cultural values. In our time, conflicts over how societies should be organized and governed—whether democratic, republican, socialist, communist, capitalist, or authoritarian—further divide us. Yet, the essence of loving-kindness transcends these differences, calling us to extend compassion to all beings, regardless of their background, beliefs, or systems of control.
Across religious, political, and ideological divides, there is a shared teaching: to extend love and compassion to all beings.
• Judaism: The Torah teaches, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), reminding us that love and compassion are central to how we live in community with others.
• Christianity: Jesus invites us to love beyond boundaries, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), challenging us to extend love even where it seems most difficult.
• Islam: The Qur’an speaks of God’s mercy, “And My Mercy encompasses all things” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:156), a reminder of the boundless compassion that we are called to reflect in our own lives.
• Buddhism: The Buddha teaches, “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world, above, below, and across, unhindered, without ill will, without enmity” (Karaniya Metta Sutta), inviting us to extend loving-kindness to all beings without exception.
• Hinduism: In the Bhagavad Gita, the concept of Ahimsa—non-violence—is central, “The one who has no ill will towards any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, even-minded in pain and pleasure, and forgiving, is dear to me” (Bhagavad Gita 12:13).
Even those who do not identify with any faith—agnostics and atheists—can find meaning in the universal human longing for peace, harmony, and goodwill. The practice of Metta, or loving-kindness, invites us to step into this shared human experience, transcending borders, belief systems, and divisions. It calls us to cultivate compassion for ourselves and others, regardless of differences.
Whether grounded in faith or humanism, the call to compassion and loving-kindness transcends all belief systems and ideologies. It is a reflection of our shared humanity, a truth that we all long for peace, healing, and connection.
Whether you are steeped in a religious tradition or simply seeking a way to contribute to peace in the world, the practice of Metta provides an accessible path to compassion. By focusing on our shared humanity, we can soften our hearts and extend kindness to all beings, embracing the potential for a world of harmony.
Take a few moments now to try this practice, and reflect on how cultivating compassion within yourself can ripple outwards into your family, community, and the world.
Personal Metta Practice: Cultivating Compassion from Within
The practice of loving-kindness starts with the self. Before we can extend compassion to others, we must first cultivate it within ourselves.
1. May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be at peace.
May I be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
2. A loved one: Now, think of someone dear to you.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be at peace.
May you be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
3. A neutral person: Think of someone toward whom you have no strong feelings.
May they be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
4. A difficult person: Finally, extend loving-kindness to someone you find challenging.
May they be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
Global Metta Practice: Expanding Compassion to the World
After cultivating compassion within yourself and your immediate circle, it’s time to extend your loving-kindness to the world. This is especially important now, as we face global challenges that require unity and compassion more than ever.
Countries: Starting with your own country and its people expand to all countries and all people
1. May the people of my country be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
2. A country you love: Now, think of a country that holds special meaning for you.
May the people of [country] be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
3. A neutral country: Extend your compassion to a country you feel neutral about.
May the people of [country] be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
4. A difficult country or political system: Now, think of a country or political system that you find challenging or disagree with.
Even when we find ourselves at odds with others politically or ideologically, loving-kindness invites us to look beyond our differences and see the shared humanity that binds us all.
May the people living under [system or country] be happy.
May they be healthy.
May they be at peace.
May they be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
5. All nations, all political systems, and all beings: To complete the practice, extend your loving-kindness to all people, regardless of political, cultural, or religious differences.
May we all be happy.
May we all be healthy.
May we all be free from suffering and the conditions of suffering.
May we all live in peace and harmony throughout time and space.
Concluding Thoughts: Our Shared Planet, Our Shared Humanity
As we reflect on the practice of loving-kindness and compassion, it is essential to remember that we all share one planet—our home, Earth. Regardless of where we live or the beliefs we hold, we breathe the same air, drink from the same waters, and rely on the same earth beneath our feet. Our lives are intricately woven together with the lives of others, from the people in our communities to those in distant lands. Every action we take ripples outward, impacting not just human beings, but all forms of life on this planet.
The earth, too, is alive with its own forms of consciousness: the plants that give us oxygen, the animals that share our space, the minerals that form the foundation of our world. In the spirit of loving-kindness, we must extend our compassion beyond humanity to embrace the entirety of creation. Our well-being is inseparably linked to the well-being of the earth and all its inhabitants. This is a call not only for individual transformation but for the collective growth of humanity.
As we strive to heal the divisions in our world, we must also cultivate a deep respect for the natural environment and the living beings with whom we share this fragile planet. In doing so, we acknowledge that every life—human, animal, plant, and even the minerals that form the bones of the earth—deserves compassion and care. By fostering love and respect for all forms of life, we take one step closer to creating a world of peace, unity, and harmony.
In every heart, across every border, may compassion arise and guide us toward a world of peace and unity.
May the world be healed through acts of loving-kindness,
and may peace, compassion, and unity reign in all hearts.
🙏🕊️🙏
Inspirations of Love and Hope 
Thank you 🙏