Metta Sutta Part 2

I have really been into reciting the metta sutta to my kids when they go to sleep.  One night I was reciting:

To reach the state of peace 
Those skilled in the Good 
Should be
Capable and upright, 
Straightforward and easy to speak to, 
Gentle and not proud, 
Contented and easily supported, 
Living lightly and with few duties,

when my son interrupts and asks incredulously,
"Dad why are you talking about doodies?"

It hasn't been the same since...

METTA SUTTA Translated by Gil Fronsdal

To reach the state of peace 
Those skilled in the Good 
Should be
Capable and upright, 
Straightforward and easy to speak to, 
Gentle and not proud, 
Contented and easily supported, 
Living lightly and with few duties, 
Wise and with senses calmed, 
Not arrogant and without greed for supporters, 
And they should not do the least thing that the wise would criticize. 
[They should reflect:] 
"May all be happy and secure; 
May all beings be happy at heart. 
All living beings, whether weak or strong, 
Tall, large, medium, or short, 
Tiny or big, 
Seen or unseen, 
Near or distant, 
Born or to be born, 
May they all be happy." 
Let no one deceive another 
Or despise anyone anywhere; 
Let no one through anger or aversion 
Wish for others to suffer. 

As a mother would risk her own life 
To protect her child, her only child, 
So toward all beings should one 
Cultivate a boundless heart. 
With loving-kindness for the whole world 
Should one cultivate a boundless heart, 
Above, below, and all around 
Without obstruction, without hate and without ill-will. 
Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, 
As long as one is alert, 
May one stay with this recollection. 
This is called a sublime abiding, here and now. 
Whoever is virtuous, endowed with vision, 
Not taken by views, 
And having overcome all greed for sensual pleasure 
Will not be reborn again. 

Translated by Gil Fronsdal
http://www.audiodharma.org/documents/MettaSutta.pdf