A free rendering of the Buddhist Metta or Loving/Kindness prayer in English and Tagalog
by Rem Tanauan
MAY I BE WELL
May I be well
and relieve the fear
May I be well
and relieve the suffering
May I be well
and relieve the agony
May I be well
and relieve the anxiety
May I be well
and always be safe
May I be well
and be filled with joy
May I be well
and always be strong
May I be well
and be filled with calm
GUMINHAWA NAWA
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapawi ang pangamba
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapawi ang dusa
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapawi ang sakit
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapawi ang ligalig
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
maging laging ligtas
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapuspos ng galak
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
maging laging malakas
Guminhawa nawa ako’t
mapuspos ng panatag
In Pali — a language that’s closely related to Sanskrit and spoken in northern India — “metta” means positive energy and kindness toward others. The practice is also known as loving-kindness meditation. The goal of metta meditation is to cultivate kindness for all beings, including oneself.
I learned that Metta and the experience of relief are not far away, and this is the result. After reciting for oneself, you can change the l “me” to:
-your family and loved ones
– friends and those who care about you
-your teachers and guides
-strangers and those who don’t know much
-enemies and people you don’t like or like
-all living things
-all that can’t be seen
It can be done one by one in the exact order. Put yourself first as the source of Metta, and let let it flow to others.
About the poet:
Rem Tanauan is a translator, writer, poet, Ginhawa well-being facilitator, and a Yijing consultant on personal decision-making and life direction. He is the lead teacher of Tungko ng Tula, a 9-week poetry class and community for poets and artists, and creatives. You can find his poems and photos on Instagram.com/ditomuna.
