Buddha taught that we should recognize all living beings as having been our mothers. How is this? Geshe Kelsang explains:
“Since it is impossible to find a beginning to our mental continuum it follows that we have taken countless rebirths in the past; and if we have had countless rebirths, we must have had countless mothers. Where are all these mothers now? They are all the living beings alive today.”
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso – New Meditation Handbook
Then we contemplate the great kindness of all these living beings, when they were our mother, caring for us just as our mother of this life cares for us, and meditate on gratitude, appreciation and our wish to repay their kindness.
This helps us feel close and connected to everyone, and is the basis for increasing our love and compassion.
