So make yourselves comfortable and settle the mind.
Remember the motivation,
Wanting to benefit all living beings.
To do that,
We need to work on overcoming ego,
Self-centeredness,
Attachment to our body and our other things,
And increase our heart of giving generosity and kindness and compassion.
So that's the purpose of this meditation.
So inspired by this verse from Shanti Deva,
Which says,
Just like space and the great elements such as earth,
Water,
Fire,
And air,
May I always support the lives of all the boundless creatures.
So first think about the earth element of your body,
And this is the quality of solidity.
For example,
Our bones and teeth have a lot of earth element in them,
But it's also present in all the parts of our body.
For example,
Our skin.
We have earth element in our skin,
In our organs,
And so on.
So all that quality of hardness or solidity in our body.
So imagine that going out and absorbing into the external earth element,
So that quality of hardness,
Solidity existing in the world around us.
And then think of how the earth element is used by beings in different ways for their survival and their happiness.
And feel that your earth element,
Which is now part of the external earth element,
Is providing these different ways for sentient beings to be happy.
It's used as fields to grow the food people need to eat.
It becomes beautiful parks and forests,
Which are homes for birds and animals,
And are also places where people can go to relax and enjoy nature.
It becomes the source for precious jewels,
Gold,
And silver,
Which people can make into jewelry and other beautiful things.
It's the basis for building houses,
Cities,
And roads,
And also becomes the materials people use to build all those things for their comfort and livelihood.
Your two eyes then become the sun and the moon and provide light for all beings.
Their flesh becomes food for all beings,
Fruits,
Vegetables,
Bread,
Cheese,
Hummus,
Pizza,
Whatever they enjoy.
Their skin becomes clothing and shoes that people can wear,
Protect them from the elements.
Imagine all the people and beings enjoying these things,
Which have been transformed from the earth element of your body.
Now think of the water element of the body,
And this is mainly in our bodily fluids,
Like blood and other liquids in our body,
But actually the body is a huge percentage,
I don't know,
75% water,
Maybe more.
Imagine all that water element of our body absorbing into the external water element.
And then this is used by beings for their survival and enjoyment.
Those water and other delicious drinks,
Juice,
Coca-Cola,
Tea,
Coffee,
And so on.
It becomes the water people use to irrigate their fields so they can grow their crops and also nourish their thirsty animals,
Their cows and sheep and so on,
To wash their clothes,
Clean their houses,
And to make fountains and swimming pools where they can enjoy water sports.
So really feel how the water element of your body has brought happiness to all beings.
Next imagine that the fire element of your body absorbs into the external fire element.
So the fire element doesn't mean like flames,
But it's heat,
That quality of heat,
Warmth.
So your fire element goes into the external fire element and brings happiness to other beings.
It gives warmth to those who are cold.
It provides energy so people can cook their food.
Gives them light and energy to run their other devices and appliances.
So really feel that the fire element of your body has brought happiness to all beings.
And then there's the air element of the body.
So this is responsible for breathing,
Of course,
But also movement,
The movement of our body,
Just walking and using our hands and so on.
It involves the air element.
And also the different bodily functions,
Digestion.
So they rely on the air element,
That subtle level of energy in the body.
So imagine the air element of your body absorbing into the external air element,
And then that benefits all beings.
It gives them air to breathe,
Which most beings need in order to survive.
And it becomes wind to provide energy,
For example,
Places where they have windmills.
And the air element also enables movement.
It enables people and beings to walk,
To run,
Do sports and so on.
So air is life and freedom.
Let yourself be breathed in by all beings,
Providing life-sustaining oxygen to every cell and every being's body.
So after giving to others now,
Imagine that all the suffering and the causes of suffering,
Like negative karma,
Afflictive emotions,
Of all beings ripens upon you.
So all the beings become free of their suffering and causes of suffering.
And allow that to absorb into your self-centered attitude,
Grasping at ego,
I,
Mine.
You can imagine that as a lump,
A black hole at your heart.
All their suffering and causes of suffering absorb into that,
And then they all disappear into emptiness.
By your own self-centered attitude,
Ego,
And the suffering and causes of suffering of others all dissolve into emptiness.
The seemingly real I,
Which appears to exist from its own side but doesn't,
Becomes empty.
All that remains is the merely imputed I.
And this I now dedicates all your merit and happiness to all beings.
You can also dedicate all the merit of the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas and other beings to a huge,
Vast ocean of merit,
Positive energy.
Imagine giving this to all beings,
And they receive it,
And it fulfills all their needs and wishes,
Both temporal and ultimate,
Up to enlightenment.
Thank you.
