One of my favorite Buddhist verses, the aspiration from Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara, here interlaced with some commentary of my own that keeps occurring to me as I do my morning breathing exercises with this aspiration at eye-level:
May I become at all times, both now and forever
today, tomorrow, this very breath, every breath until I have no more
A protector for those without protection
including those who need protected from their own delusions
A guide for those who have lost their way
including those who threw away every map, every compass
A ship for those with oceans to cross
including those running away from whatever they refuse to face
A bridge for those with rivers to cross
including those who have burnt the very bridges they now need
A sanctuary for those in danger
including those who are their own greatest enemy
A lamp for those without light
including those who will not open their own tightly clenched eyes
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
including those who have rejected every shelter offered them
And a servant to all in need.
including those who are difficult and those I dislike. Including every sentient being. Every single one.