This kind of chant can be a meditation in its own right. As you learn the meaning it becomes a series of reflections and aspirations which help retrain the mind. Even when you don’t understand the meaning fully it can be a mindfulness practice which helps us develop calm and focus. And also, as long as you’re chanting these Pali words you won’t be doing so much of that tiresome thinking that causes worry, stress, anger, etc.
It comes with a very pleasant lilting tune, and here is a version of the traditional Pali chant, by the Venerable Ariya Ñana.
And as an added bonus, here’s a modern setting of the metta chant by Imee Ooi, a self-taught composer and arranger who is classically trained in piano and has done numerous musical works for television networks in and out of Malaysia.
Aham avero homi May I be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjho homi May I be free from mental suffering
anigha homi May I be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharami May I take care of my own happiness
Mama matapitu May my parents
acariya ca natimitta ca teacher, family, and friends
sabrahmacarino ca fellow Dhamma farers
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharant may they take care of their own happiness
Imasmim arame sabbe yogino May all meditators in this place
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Imasmim arame sabbe bhikkhu May all monks in this place
samanera ca and novice monks
upasaka – upasikaya ca laymen and laywomen disciples
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Amhakam catupaccaya – dayaka May our donors of the four supports: clothing, food, medicine and lodging
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu May they take care of their own happiness
Amhakam arakkha devata May our guardian devas
Ismasmim vihare in this monastery
Ismasmim avase in this dwelling
Ismasmim arame in this compound
arakkha devata May the guardian devas
avera hontu be free from enmity and danger
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi – attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Sabbe satta May all beings
sabbe pana all breathing things
sabbe bhutta all creatures
sabbe puggala all individuals (all beings)
sabbe attabhava – pariyapanna all personalities (all beings with mind and body)
sabbe itthoyo may all females
sabbe purisa all males
sabbe ariya all noble ones (awakened beings)
sabbe anariya all worldlings (those yet to attain awakening)
sabbe deva all devas (deities)
sabbe manussa all humans
sabbe vinipatika all those in the woeful planes
avera hontu be free from enmity and dangers
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Dukkha muccantu May all being be free from suffering
Yattha-laddha-sampattito mavigacchantu May whatever they have gained not be lost
Kammassaka All beings are owners of their own Kamma
Purathimaya disaya in the eastern direction
pacchimaya disaya in the western direction
uttara disaya in the northern direction
dakkhinaya disaya in the southern direction
purathimaya anudisaya in the southeast direction
pacchimaya anudisaya in the northwest direction
uttara anudisaya in the northeast direction
dakkhinaya anudisaya in the southwest direction
hetthimaya disaya in the direction below
uparimaya disaya in the direction above
Sabbe satta May all beings
sabbe pana all breathing things
sabbe bhutta all creatures
sabbe puggala all individuals (all beings)
sabbe attabhava – pariyapanna all personalities (all beings with mind and body)
sabbe itthoyo may all females
sabbe purisa all males
sabbe ariya all noble ones (awakened beings)
sabbe anariya (those yet to attain awakening)
sabbe deva all devas (deities)
sabbe manussa all humans
sabbe vinipatika all those in the woeful planes
avera hontu be free from enmity and dangers
abyapajjha hontu be free from mental suffering
anigha hontu be free from physical suffering
sukhi attanam pariharantu may they take care of their own happiness
Dukkha muccantu May all beings be free from suffering
Yattha-laddha-sampattito mavigacchantu May whatever they have gained not be lost
Kammassaka All beings are owners of their own kamma
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta pathavicara whatever beings that move on earth
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta udakecara whatever beings that move on water
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger
Uddham yava bhavagga ca As far as the highest plane of existence
adho yava aviccito to as far down as the lowest plane
samanta cakkavalesu in the entire universe
ye satta akasecara whatever beings that move in air
abyapajjha nivera ca may they be free of mental suffering and enmity
nidukkha ca nupaddava and from physical suffering and danger.
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Hello Momof4, my name is Quinn and I'm Morgan's daughter. I just wanted to talk to you about your depression. I've suffered with depression my whole life so I know what you're going through. I know how hard it is to get up every morning and face the day. And I know how scarey it can be to take the meds! I'm on a new one right now called Cymbalta. It's very good and it comes with fewer side effects. The one I was on before made me sleep walk. It was terrible. I was even taking my pills in my sleep! I did all sorts of stuff. But the Cymbalta stopped it all and I had no side effects taking it. It might be something you'd like to mention to your therepist.
One thing I find helps me get through the day is doing something special just for me. It doesn't have to be anything huge, just something as simple as making a cup of your favourite tea, playing a favourite CD in the background while you work, stepping outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. Little things like that that make you feel better.
And talk to someone. You can't beat depression alone, that's one thing I've learned. The best approach to managing your depression is to take some meds for it (once you find the one that's right for you) and talking to someone who can teach you coping skills. I'm sorry to hear that your husband is not supportive. I can only imagine how frustrating that must be. I'm glad though that you have your kids. You need to hold on to them and think that for their sake, you'll get the help you need.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Morgan and Quinn, your notes are so uplifting and I appreciate them soo much more than you both will know..Morgan its touching that you passed my story to your daughter..just too kind..
I am [Mumof4: I didn't think it was wise for you to post your email address publicly, so I'll pass it on privately to Morgan and her daughter].
So I can be a little more personal without the whole world seeing..Thanks again...
I play this everynight after doung 10-15 minutes of Vipassana practice as taught by SN Goenka. Not sure why but everytime this is played it brings tears in my eyes and at the same time makes me feel very relaxed. Anyone else feels the same? I understand that when meditating you are only to observe things the way they are; however emotions get better of me when I play this for practicing Metta Sutta.
Any comments helpful.
Metta to all
This was indeed helpful in calming my fragmented mind this Friday. May I be happy !
Thank you for sharing so much. This morning I came across this beautiful website. I have listened to the chant and physically felt my heart moving within my chest, expanding to the point of painfulness, beating more warmly, energized by love. I am grateful to you who put energy and time into this website, I have benefitted already, as I know many others have. I want to tell those who are battling depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, how precious they are to me, how much I love them dearly, every one. You who are fearful and feel unloved, know that I love you so and pray for you constantly! And I am not the only one! there are others, every moment of every day who hold you in their thoughts and love you, and dearly wish the best for you, and on whom you can rely. Know this. Feel this. You are loved and cherished. Look not to your family or even friends for the deepest experience of this love, close your eyes and feel it yourself, for it is there, and your family and friends are trying to show it to you in their own way. Perhaps that can appear limited, especially if they do not understand your depression, but it does not mean that the actual power of love is limited, for it is not. It is endless and utterly powerful and unlimited. Only you can feel the real depth of it, the totality of it, the unlimited nature of this sublime love that is directed to you, enveloping you. When you feel afraid, know that this love is available to you, for it is with us all at all times, and is greater than any fear. I shed tears of pain and joy, pain and joy, that is the nature of humanity, of the experience of life, but know that the lasting thing is love. You who read this, and feel sorrow, you are cherished and blessed and well. I love you very much, and always will.
Thank you so much for this beautiful chant. I listen to it every morning and it brings me a great sense of peace and love. I really enjoy your website, thank you .
As others have already said, this is a very special page. If you know could you tell me who owns the copyright to the chant by Venerable Ariya Ñana? I'd very much like to put a low-key musical accompaniment to this.
Yours in the Dharma,
Derek
Hi, Derek.
I'm afraid I don't know!
Bodhipaksa
I just rediscovered this chant via an old email. Thank you! It is healing on multi levels.