Three Important Exercises 2: Wishing All Beings Happiness

Phakchok Rinpoche teaches the second exercise, which he does every morning: with the breath and a hand at the chest, repeat the wishes that all beings have happiness and be free from suffering. He compares the words to a key and the heart to a lock.

He says the practice builds unconditional care, so that a family member’s harsh words hurt less, as a lotus stays clean in mud, and that someone without a hunger for love is less likely to choose partners badly. He sets it at three minutes, making seven with the first exercise.