A simple practice from the Dalai Lama...
Someone went to visit the Dalai Lama. The group spent days with him focusing on what they believed were the five most important questions for the new millennium.

The five questions they settled on were:

1... How do we address the widening gap between rich and poor?

2....How do we protect the earth?

3....How do we educate our children?

4....How do we help Tibet and other oppressed countries and peoples of  the world?

5....How do we bring spirituality - deep caring for one another - through all disciplines of life?

The Dalai Lama said all of the five questions fall under the last one:

If we have true compassion in our hearts then our children will be educated wisely, we will care for the earth, those who "have not" will be cared for.

Then the group asked the Dalai Lama, "Do you think loving on the planet is increasing or staying the same?"

His response: "My experience leads me to believe that love IS increasing."

He shared a simple practice with them that will increase loving and compassion in the world. He asked everyone in the group to return home and share it with as many people as they can.

The Practice:
1. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and be loved) and we are all connected to one another.
2. Spend 5 minutes - breathing in- cherishing yourself; and, breathing out - cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing, extend your cherishing to them anyway.
3. During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet. Practice cherishing the simplest person (clerks, attendants, etc. as well as the "important" people in your life; cherish the people you love and the people you dislike).
4. Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you.