The nature of our heart, when in relatively safe circumstances, is kind and caring. But that natural sweetness often gets occluded, blocked by the systemic forces of greed, hatred, ignorance—all the ways that we create ill will and separation through misperception, seeing through the clouded lens of our likes and dislikes, views and opinions. This is why the teachings invite us to look deeply into our nature, to realize the sky-like nature of the mind, the boundless nature of the heart, the capacity of the heart to have lovingkindness for all beings—to have no one left out of your circle of affection. That’s the potential, and that’s what we practice to reawaken.