May All Beings Be Happy

Detail of Illustration by Mayumi Oda

Never mind what the calendar says, May is the real beginning of spring in Alberta. 

Birds return, the grass turns green, buds start coming out on the trees.  Our gaze shifts from inside to out, and our mood lifts. 

We marvel at nature, the miracle of rebirth and new growth.  We think about planting, how we affect our surroundings and the beings with whom we share them.

The mantra Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu seems especially fitting at this time. 

It says, "May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering; may my actions contribute to the happiness and wellbeing of all."

You can read more about this mantra and its word by word translation in this article by Sharon Gannon of Jivamukti Yoga.

More about its meaning in this article by Amma, also known as the Hugging Mother.

And even more in these previous posts on Kali's Kitchen.

This is my wish and my focus this month,  "May" all beings be happy!