Dear friends,
Merry Christmas and warm season’s greetings to you all!
As we gather to celebrate the holidays, let’s take a moment to reflect on the deeper essence of this season: love. Whether we’re exchanging gifts, sharing meals, or simply spending time together, every act of giving and connection stems from love—the purest and most powerful force we can embody.
Buddhism teaches us about mettā, or loving-kindness, a boundless and unconditional love that seeks the happiness and well-being of all beings. Mettā is akin to a mother’s love for her child—selfless, protective, and infinite. This holiday season, let us cultivate mettā in our hearts, radiating warmth not just to those near to us, but to all beings, without exception.
Practicing mettā can be as simple as pausing for a moment to silently wish, “May you be happy, may you be well, may you be at peace.” You’ll find that love and kindness, when given freely, bring as much joy to the giver as they do to the receiver.
So as you celebrate, laugh, and love this season, may you also find time to embrace the profound joy of sharing kindness. May this holiday be a reminder that love, in all its forms, is the heart of our humanity and the key to a more compassionate world.
From all of us here, Merry Christmas and a season filled with peace, joy, and love.
With gratitude,
Meng
