Posted: August 21, 2017
“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.” ― Pema Chödrön, The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
Compassion is the heart's response to pain. Without it, pain can be overwhelming. And it is also true that the pain then transforms into suffering. To connect with compassion takes courage. It means we stop trying to control or manipulate experience and open to life as it is. It is a turning toward rather than away and for this shift compassion is essential. The more we meet experience with an open mind and heart the more we free ourselves from limited beliefs that keep us stuck in isolation, feelings of inadequacy, resentment and the list can go on and on. Instead, we learn to open to what is present in our body, mind and heart and bring a feeling of kindness, understanding and compassion. Just as we would if we saw a loved one suffering, we respond in this way that heals and reconnects us to life.Please take a moment to read the poem below and allow the words to land in the heart.
Opening the mind and awakening the heart…
Takes recognizing That…Every moment is precious…In moments of deep sadness. When we feel isolated and alone…In moments of joy when our minds and hearts are filled with the vibrant energy of being alive. Through joy, sorrow, loss, gain, praise, blame, fame, fortune. It’s important to remember. We all experience moments of painMoments of joy. Moments of grief. This is our common humanity. It’s what connects us heart-to-heart. In those moments. There is no me, mine or I. We are all interconnected. When we forget this there is deep suffering.
So, it’s important to remember you are not alone…Just as you want to happy so do all living beings. Just like you suffer so do all. When we open our hearts to be with what is painful. We open to the healing power of compassion. We walk the path of wisdom together knowing we are all drops in the ocean that together we are the ocean
Pause…breathe…remember your true nature“Make your mind as vast as the sky”
C. RicardoLast line by Matthieu Ricard
