When I begin each piece of art and face the blank page, I decide how and where I will write the Metta prayer. I sometimes write it once and other times I will choose to add a prayer for the earth. Eventually, I know if I feel like writing the prayer a second or third time. The piece dictates that. Then I add the colors and the borders. The words are there intentionally and do not need to be seen.
Here is Metta
Buddha's Words on Loving-kindness
This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech, Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied, unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, not proud or demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise would later reprove. Wishing: in gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen, those living near and far away, those born and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings; radiating kindness over the entire world: spreading upwards to the skies, and downwards to the depths; outwards and unbounded, freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down free from drowsiness, one should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, the pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, being freed from all sense desires, is not born again into this world.
My Prayer for the EARTH
May the oceans and seas, the bays and inlets, the rivers and brooks, the creeks and rivulets, the mountains and valleys, the deserts and plains and all the earth be safe from all harm and free from fear. May we be forgiven for our greed and the destruction it has caused and may the earth and all that is held dear be healed.
May all beings be safe from all harm and free from fear.
May all beings be filled with lovingkindness and compassion.
May all beings and the earth be at ease.