Compassion

Compassion literally means “being with suffering.”

“Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life's search for love and wisdom.” Rumi

“Compassion is that mysterious capacity within each of us that makes it possible for suffering that is neither our own nor of our concern, to affect us as though it were. It is that instinctive and selfless insight that reveals to us the existence of our own true being in every living creature.

Compassion is the tie that binds every human being to each other and to the mystery of creation. It is the common thread of all religions, meditations, and community structures. Compassion does not acknowledge the artificial social, economic, and religious barriers we place between ourselves and others. It acknowledges the common cry of human longings, aspirations, and tragedies. When a reflex reaction causes us to help a stranger, with no motivation other than that person is in need, or maybe in peril of his life, our compassion is in action.” from Wisdom Commons http://www.wisdomcommons.org/virtue/22-compassion/essays

Everyone has to cope with loss, fear, sorrow, and self-doubt at some time in their lives. Instead of reacting during these times with anger and judgement we can make the choice to extend compassion to ourselves and others. We can make the choice to be aware of suffering with an intention to alleviate it. Compassion helps us to transcend our own personal feelings and fears and extend caring for ourselves and all those who suffer.

One of the greatest sources of suffering is the idea that we are separated from everyone and everything else. Practicing compassion for ourselves and others teaches us that we are never separated from the Oneness.

Being compassionate is not always popular in this society. It is more popular to show strength and a certain toughness in all situations. Being compassionate means being vulnerable and that can create uncomfortable feelings. Feeling compassion is worth the risk. By releasing harsh judgements of ourselves and others we can open ourselves to a generosity of spirit which heals the heart.

"Write down how many things you want. Meditate on how many things you need. When you write them down you will see that you want millions of things. When you meditate you will notice that you need only one thing and that is God the Compassion, God the eternal Compassion." By Sri Chinmoy

Love and blessings from Gene and Joyce