Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts

Thursday, October 27, 2011

To be with our suffering...

Buddha heartfully stoned
Picture "Buddha heartfully stoned" kindly  provided by h.koppdelaney

There is a lot of good reasons to care about one's emotions, health, peace of mind, productivity to name a few.  Emotions are the fuel to getting things done, however they can also bring you down,  bring about ill health if not attended too.

Gawler and Bedford indicate that there is two aspects of an emotion, the story, and the experience.  The first part is the story, the cognitive or thinking part the second is the experience, the feeling part. Most people stay with the cognitive part and avoid the feeling part because the feeling may be overwhelming, uncomfortable or may be a sign of weakness (in Aussie slang being a whoosy!)

We tend to repeat the story over and over in our heads, analyzing it from as many angles as possible, continuously fueling the feeling part without even realizing it.  We don't spend enough time paying attention to the feeling part in terms of what is happening to our body, because we are so caught up in thinking about it repeatedly!  Think of all the brain cycles caught up in this useless loop!

Gawler and Bedford say that paying attention to the experience or the feeling part transforms the emotion, I think that is quite powerful...To have strategy to diffuse the negative emotions by paying attention to what is happening to your body opens up many possibilities, so that we can curb our response more appropriately...an arrow of steel can be healed, but an arrow of a hurtful word may never be resolved in a life time...

To close I would like to quote an interesting section from Gawler and Bedford book "Meditation an In-depth Guide":
Mindfulness of emotions is a bit like an alchemical process, only it works! The torso of the body is made up of the throat, chest and abdomen, is the "crucible" By bringing attention to this crucible and allowing intense feelings to be experienced, a process of emotional transformation is initiated.  Out of vulnerability can grow courage and confidence. When we sit with uncomfortable emotions (lead), the emotions gradually unwind and are transformed; they become opportunities for developing spirtual virtues (gold).  The catalyst in this emotional transformation is compassion.  "Com" means with, "passion" means suffering. Compassion means "to be with our suffering" and not to avoid or run away from our vulnerable, soft center.



Sunday, October 16, 2011

Compassion and the blind man

Golden Path
Picture "Golden Path" kindly provided by h.koppdelaney
It's hard to practice compassion when you know you are being wronged at times...an appropriate response is required, but it needs to be tempered with compassion, try to imagine using your anger as flame to cook some food, rather than a flame thrower out of control...the first is beneficial for both parties, the second destroys the relationship and everything else in its path...Here is a great story I like contemplating when I need to be more compassionate from Jack Kornfield's book The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace:


Alan Wallace illustrates a truth from the Tibetan teachings. Imagine walking along a sidewalk with your arms full of groceries, and someone roughly bumps into you so that you fall and your groceries are strewn over the ground. As you rise up from the puddle of broken eggs and tomato juice, you are ready to shout out, “You idiot! What’s wrong with you? Are you blind?” But just before you can catch your breath to speak, you see that the person who bumped into you actually is blind. He (/She), too, is sprawled in the spilled groceries, and your anger vanishes in an instant, to be replaced by sympathetic concern: “Are you hurt? Can I help you up?” Our situation is like that. When we clearly realize that the source of disharmony and misery in the world is ignorance, we can open the door of wisdom and compassion.

 

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Bracing for the Storm...


Its been a dark gloomy day, yesterday we stocked up on gas burners, Sharon cleared up 1/2 the shelf of the portable gas cans :). Our freezers are stacked with ice packs. DC is on the outside edges of the hurricane, it has still be declared as a state of emergency. The rain is starting to belt down now, I can hear it as I write, the trees are swaying with the wind, heavy gusts of winds threaten to bring branches down.

I feel sorry for those who don't have the comforts of home today, we do take a lot of things for granted. First it was the earthquake this week, now a hurricane, what next? In my last post I shared my thoughts on the dramatic climate changes all over the world.

See the physical aspect of what we see is always the tip of the ice berg.  The bottom of the ice berg that cannot be seen is 2/3 of the ice berg.  Simarly consciousness manifest itself physically as the tip of the ice berg individually and globally, what is driving the physical is the mental undercurrents underneath.  Ask yourself what sort of consciousness is present in the world today on a mass level?  Is it kind? is it compassionate? is it thoughtful?  For a blessed minority it is, however for most it is not.

What else can we expect but chaos from mindless thinking? Unfortunately peace and order only comes from mindful and compassionate thinking.  That is the law of cause and effect, the law of Karma.  Leaving the lap of Creator, we are all bound by time, space, our actions.  You may say what has climate change got to do with consciousness, unfortunately suffering caused directly or indirectly can't just be swept under the carpet, the law of Karma is just, precise, unforgiving.  Everything is connected, studies in Princeton University has shown that intention has an influence on random events, add on this global warming, pollution, nuclear disasters, oil-spills, you get my drift.

What else can we expect but chaos from mindless thinking? Unfortunately peace and order only comes from mindful and compassionate thinking.  That is the law of cause and effect, the law of Karma.

A qoute follows from one of my past post:
Peace is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...
Compassion is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...
Thoughtfulness is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected  through our actions on Earth...
Purpose is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected  through our actions on Earth...
Love is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...


I end with a native american quote and a silent prayer for grace to help us on this difficult road ahead for us and future generations.

I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man. 
Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

Peace, 

Kirpal 






Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What is life without love and compassion?

Not attached
Picture "Not attached" kindly provided by h.koppdelaney under CC
For what is life without love and compassion
But a shell of a person, the machine of the ego, mind and senses
The riches of spirit are not be measured by wealth or fame
The riches of spirit are measured by the heart through the currency of generosity
Generosity of thoughtfulness, presence and sensitivity
With love and compassion, divinity is expressed in the mortal frame

Peace,

Kirpal

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Global Compassion for Japan

Picture Earth South Pole by FlyingSinger under Creative Commons

I am lost for words to describe the grief that Japan is going through, its hard to imagine why this has happened, it is a wake up call for the world, it teaches us the lesson of Global Compassion and of Respect for our Planet and all those who occupy it.

I sit here and ponder, what possible good can come out of this disaster where more than 10,000 people are expected to be dead, and there is a deep uncertainty of whats going to happen with nuclear reactor radiation leaks and its prolonged impact on the Japan and the rest of the world.  The world is not as isolated as it once was, there are deep economic, environmental relationships that interrelate the world.   

I am overwhelmed by the compassionate responses of individual, organisation and country support for countries in Crisis. My employer pledged to double the donations collected for charity.  When I was sitting on the donation collection table at lunch time this week, I was astounded by the generosity of individuals and the diversity of them.

Master Li once said to me "The human has a core Dan Tien (Qi Energy Repository around the navel) that need to be kept in tune, to keep the person healthy, the world also has a Dan Tien, if that goes out of balance, there is no telling what will happen".  The events of the past cannot be coincidental, there is just too many natural disasters that are happening to frequently at all parts of the world, very close together.

Lets take a few:

I want to elaborate on the link between the individual and the global Dan Tiens.  

A organisation of whatever scale can be thought of as a larger living breathing thing, so the natural laws that apply to an individual also apply to the organisation.

Now lets take a simple example:
- A drug addict destroys oneself and those connected around him.
- A responsible spiritual person is a blessing to oneself and those around her.

Whats the difference between the two?  Both have been given the same human capacities, both may have started with the same disadvantages.  The drug addict may even be better off financially, but has no true happiness, take for example Hollywood or rock stars.

What differentiates us is our values and our degree of self awareness, or the lack of it!
Garbage in, Garbage out, the quality of the input determines the quality of the output!

If we take the same logic and apply it at a global level.  What genuine positive values is there in cumulative terms? What cumulative self awareness is there? What exploitation is going on; on humans, on animals (mindless exploitation for meat), on poorer countries, on the environment?  Do we really think all this exploitation, pain and suffering will be swept under the carpet?  

There is either a lack of mindfulness of our actions or just plan greed and exploitation at all levels, even so called religious organisations, that have their own interests at heart!

What we need is Self Transcendence, of our own Ego and selfish needs and gratifications...That is probably there in a small percentage of the world's population, God bless their Souls!  The rest of the population are simply being controlled by larger organisations acting with their interests or runaway organisational "Ego".

My blog is a rather strong one this time, but I feel that we really need to wake up.  I was telling my wife the other day over a breakfast conversation.

The sad thing is that human and organisations will only make changes if there is something that forces them to, otherwise they will go their merry way.  
Karma's a bitch, but its there to teach us that the consequences of our action be it at an individual or global level, in that sense it also purifies us

My heart goes out to those affected in Japan. This article does not condemn them in any way, it condemns the individual and global lack of self awareness, integrity, and social responsibilities to the environment, and all those who occupy it.

There is a native american saying "We don't own the land, we borrow it from our children"

Meditation changes you, and how you feel about things, I certainly did would not have responded this way 20 years ago, any disaster like this, would have just been a passing distraction that would have made me uncomfortable for 5 minutes.  Life is unpredictable, we don't know when our time will be up, and how it will end...

I would like to finish with some inspiring quotes:

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe..... Dalai Lama

An untroubled mind,
No longer seeking to consider
What is right and what is wrong,
A mind beyond judgements,
Watches and understands.
~Buddha~

In our deepest moments of struggle~ frustration~ fear~confusion, we are being called upon to reach in and touch our hearts. Then we will know what to do~what to say~how to be. What is right is always in our deepest heart of hearts ~It is from the deepest part of our hearts that we are capable of reaching out & touching another humanbeing. It is, after all, one heart touching another heart. ~Roberta Sage Hamilton.


The way of Love, Compassion and Self Awareness is the only path that will heal our Individual and Global Sickness..
Peace

Kirpal


This article is dedicated to the people of Japan.  God Bless Them..



Friday, February 18, 2011

Switch to Positive Input Channels

I've reached the end of the world
Photo "I've reached the end of the world" kindly provided by  Stuck In Customs

True freedom lies in our self control, alignment to spiritual values such as love, compassion, integrity and meditation.  This may seem paradoxical that one achieves freedom through self control and moderation, however this makes sense, self gratification and indulgence only "adds more fuel to the fire", saying this denial does not work either, but pre-occupation with positive ideals works!

Iyengar puts forward a very powerful metaphor in his book Light on Life:
Imagine your mind as a lake of water, any disturbances makes a ripple, which if dwelt on long enough affects the banks of the shore.  If the disturbance is strong enough, this goes on further till the banks of the shore underneath are affected, so that they can cause secondary waves, even Tsunamis!

Now most people cannot let go of negative things so that it does not make a deep negative impression on them, and further more, cannot control the secondary wave coming to the surface, the automatic reaction.  Add to this dirt, and murky water, which are basically negative actions, one is totally lost.  Thus where is the freedom in this?

Iyengar says, first we must move to plant positive thoughts, then move to non-attachment (and taming the ego), that means the ripples fade away and don't affect the banks, which cause further automatic reactions.

An amazing thing starts happening, when one start moving towards action without attachment and ego.  If you look at this above picture, the lake starts reflecting the pristine glory of the creation itself. Ripples have temporary effects. Movement is in perfect harmony, every moment is perfect, re-balancing happens quickly, just the way it should be.  Tell me how much money can buy you this?

The purity of the soul then shines through and things automatically gets done better, and you are less stressed, and more carefree of the results.  This is different from not caring or ignorance.  Thoughtfulness and care is very much there, but it comes from the endless intelligence of the soul, it expresses itself, and then it lets go just like an arrow leaving the bow hitting bullseye (or not for that matter), observing the results but not attached to it.  What matters is the shot was taken with total presence, engaging our Mind, Body and Soul, rather than the joy or disappointment of the result.  What fault can one find with that approach?

Now not everyone is a Zen master, but I don't believe one needs to be a Zen master to start applying this practically in their lives, and there will be times where we fail miserably, but thats ok, don't beat yourself over it, as long as we recognize it and learn from it, it may take months, years, maybe lifetimes.  It gives us more motivation to change the next time.  No one is perfect, no-one can change overnight, it takes time, so take it easy on yourself!  Persistence pays off...Easy Come, Easy Go, anything that comes easily does not stay with you.

Try  focusing on a daily meditation discipline, a vegetarian healthy diet, some basic deep breathing, some basic exercise and stretching, some positive values, some positive books, some positive company, eliminate all the negative input "channels", start exposing yourself to positive input "channels".  To effect the output change the input, that you have some control over (what happens in the middle, is pretty much automatic).

Tuning the body through yoga (asanas, pranayamas) is like replacing the shock absorbers in a car, bumps are much smoother.  Tuning the mind, is like taking hold of the steering wheel so that ditches and dangers ahead can be avoided.  Tuning in to your spirit (meditation) is driving your car home after a long journey away.  Integrity is like obeying traffic rules, if you don't there is a danger to yourself and others.  

Peace,

Kirpal


”May the sun bring you energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
May you walk gently through the world
and know its beauty all the days of your life.”
~Apache Blessing (via Lama Surya Das)

Friday, January 14, 2011

As in Heaven, Let it be on Earth...


Every single thing in existence depends on the exhalation and inhalation of the divine creative power, all are but one manifestation of it like a wave rising from an ocean...

Intolerance because of religion, country, race, creed, caste and even species or anything else discriminatory is a result of plain ignorance of this fact.

We are all but one...

Peace is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...
Compassion is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...
Thoughtfulness is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected  through our actions on Earth...
Purpose is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected  through our actions on Earth...
Love is in Heaven, it needs to be reflected through our actions on Earth...


Wishing you Peace, Compassion, Thoughtfulness, Purpose and last but not least Love,

Kirpal

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
Matthew 6:10

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A Different Type of Thanks Giving!

Her white robes flowing: Kannon, the Bodhisatt...Image via Wikipedia
As I sit here planning my dishes that I am going to make for the day, I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude, things have not always been easy in life, yet somehow one always manage to pull through.

I have a different interpretation of Thanksgiving, and it is about acceptance, grace and compassion.  

Acceptance is freedom from our bottomless desires.  Acceptance is liberating rather than confining.

Lets be thankful to whats given and what is not given, for even in what is not given, there is a gift.  That gift is of character, for only in not receiving we look deeper.  Grace is bountiful, only we have to be receptive to it and not fight it.

Yesterday, I had an minor incident at work, that would normally bring the house down, I was surprised that the the response was filled with compassion due to the holiday spirit.  Compassion is a difficult thing to practice for all of us, as it directly governs our automatic actions, let it extend to ones around you, and all things, from the insect inside, that can be taken outside with a tissue, to what we put in our mouths, to how we speak with others.

Now back to my thanks giving meal:
  • Spinach Ricotta Lasagne - Quite easy to make, tastes absolutely delicious
  • Stuffed Pumpkin - Need to work out the stuffing
  • Garlic Sour Dough - Nothing beats this
  • Eggless Chocolate Cupcakes with my secret chocolate fudge recipe 
In closing I am thankful to my beautiful wife who has stuck by me in all these years, my 3 beautiful kids, and all the friends and family who continue to shower support and love on us.  

I will finish with a Thanks Giving Affirmation:
I am thankful to whats given and what is not given, for even in what is not given, there is a gift, my cup overflows with your grace.  Let me reflect Heaven through my actions on Earth.


Enhanced by Zemanta

Creative Commons License
This work by Kirpal Chauhan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.