Like smoothing a wall before painting a mural or preparing a field before planting, the cultivation of a true feeling of equality provides the groundwork for the next step in the path to love: recognizing all sentient beings as the best of friends. Now the cultivation of equality will serve as the foundation for love. . . . Having created an equal attitude toward friends, enemies, and neutral persons, you have a foundation for viewing every being as your closest friend. The aim now is to develop a true feeling of intimacy with everyone.
— His Holiness The Dalai Lama, How to Expand Love