In Buddhism, Metta Bhavana is the cultivation of loving-kindness developed through meditation.

“Mettā signifies friendship and non-violence as well as “a strong wish for the happiness of others”, but also less obvious or direct qualities such as showing patience, receptivity, and appreciation. Though it refers to many seemingly disparate ideas, Mettā is in fact a very specific form of love – a caring for another independent of all self-interest – and thus is likened to one’s love for one’s child or parent. Understandably, this energy is often difficult to describe in words; however, in the practice of Mettā meditation, one recites specific words and phrases in order to evoke this “boundless warm-hearted feeling.” The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Indeed, Mettā is a tool that permits one’s generosity and kindness to be applied to all beings and, as a consequence, one finds true happiness in another person’s happiness, no matter who the individual is.”   ~From Wikipedia

We remember from our younger years that the object of winning at the real estate based game “Monopoly” is to amass properties and collect money through taxes, fees, etc. from the other players eventually bankrupting them so the player at the end with the most money and equity wins. Pretty much the real world scenario.

The other day my two boys were playing Monopoly with their niece (ages 12, 10 and 7). Isabel was down to only $140 dollars but got the opportunity to make it around and collect another $200. But then disaster struck… she landed on one of Maxwell’s properties and had to pay $350. She handed over her $340. The game was over for Isabel. But wait! Maxwell said that what she was able to pay was close enough, she could stay in the game. Then another amazing turn of events… Ryan paid Maxwell the $10 difference so Maxwell wasn’t owed any money and said that Isabel didn’t have to pay it back.

What if we did what we could to keep the other players in “the game” without expecting anything in return?