Text of the meditation
Let your charity increase and extend until self is swallowed up in kindness. Bear no ill-will. Subdue anger and overcome hatred. Think of all, and act toward all, with the same unalterable kindness and compassion. Do not, under the severest trial, give way to bitterness or words of resentment; but meet anger with calmness, mockery with patience, and hatred with love.
Do not be a partisan, but be a peacemaker. Do not increase division between people, or promote strife by taking sides with one party against another, but give equal justice, equal love, equal goodwill to all. Do not disparage other teachers, other religions or other schools of thought.
Do not set up barriers between rich and poor, employer and employed, governor and governed, master and servant, but be equal-minded toward all, perceiving their several duties. By constantly controlling the mind, subduing bitterness and resentment, and striving to acquire a steadfast kindness, the spirit of goodwill will at last be born.
Be strong, energetic, steadfast.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.
