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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Vishvapani

Good morning.

There are many ways to tell the story of your life. But have you ever thought of your life as the story of your friendships?

The earliest friends I recall are the fellow-toddlers who shared the perils and adventures of the playground. There were the childhood friendships formed with a simple, ‘Will you be my friend?’ There were best friends – made and then lost because I tired of them or, more painfully, they tired of me. There were the more complicated friendship groups in teenage years, where we competed with each other as we figured out together how to be independent.

The more I reflect on friendships the richer this area of life seems. As an adult, there are people I look up to – guides, mentors and Buddhists call we ‘spiritual friends’. Then have been many peers and colleagues with whom I’ve been friendly, and sometimes the connection has deepened into a lasting friendship. Reflecting in this way, I recognise how important friendships have been for me. Along with my family, my friends are the most important people in my life.

I confess that I often take my friendships for granted, only to find that they fade. Some friends have died, leaving both sadness and regret for lost opportunities. As Dr Johnson said, ‘You must keep your friendships in good repair.’

Through friendship I also connect with something precious in myself. I care about my friends with a warm, open-hearted generosity, that is the seed of a much wider compassion.

Thinking of my friends, may I open my heart with love.
May I cherish them, whatever they need.
May they be well, may they be happy, may they be free from suffering