What Exactly is Compassion in Action?
Lately, I’ve been ruminating on compassion., and this idea: What if demonstrating compassion is our way of embodying God (which I define as love) on earth?
The Christian scholar and theologian, Matthew Fox says, “compassion is, of course, a kind of passion. A caring, a feeling of the suffering of others—and acting to relieve that suffering. It is the opposite of a cold heart. Compassion is also the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Fox goes on to remind us that Meister Eckhart insisted that, “the first outburst of whatever God does is always compassion.”
Lately, I’ve been ruminating on compassion and this idea: What if demonstrating compassion is our way of embodying God (which I define as love) on earth?
The Christian scholar and theologian, Matthew Fox says, “compassion is, of course, a kind of passion. A caring, a feeling of the suffering of others—and acting to relieve that suffering. It is the opposite of a cold heart. Compassion is also the work of the Holy Spirit.”
Fox goes on to remind us that Meister Eckhart insisted that, “the first outburst of whatever God does is always compassion.”
Fox concludes that, “compassion then is our origin and our destiny.”
If we embrace this idea that compassion is, in essence, our mission here on earth, questions naturally arise, such as: How can I extend compassion to others? What might that look and feel like?
I often think about it as the small ways we can demonstrate kindness. A simple act of holding the door to a stranger, or picking up litter on the street.
Of course, there are larger ways we can do this, too, by working in a profession like nursing or teaching, where we are constantly interacting with people and able to offer our attention and love.
We can also emulate servant leaders like Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who dedicated their lives to “waging peace.”
But here’s the thing, don’t allow your mind to get mired in this being hard or big or too much.
Simply come back to the small, seemingly insignificant ways you can bring compassion to the people in your circle. A smile, a wave, an acknowledgement, a prayer.
And see how you feel.
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Be Kind
In today’s bully infested world, kindness is seen as weakness.
You and I both know that simply isn't true.
AND
Who wants to live in a world where we pull each other down and make each other wrong?
Instead, let's support one another, help us reach up and become our higher selves.
Which is why I'm making a stand for kindness.
Think about it.
How do you feel when you’re mean or cruel to someone?
Now think about how you feel when you’re kind.
Like fear, kindness is contagious.
In today’s bully infested world, kindness is seen as weakness.
You and I both know that simply isn't true.
AND
Who wants to live in a world where we pull each other down and make each other wrong?
Instead, let's support one another, help us reach up and become our higher selves.
Which is why I'm making a stand for kindness.
Think about it.
How do you feel when you’re mean or cruel to someone?
Now think about how you feel when you’re kind.
Like fear, kindness is contagious.
It can shower the world like water quenching a wild fire.
And, it really is easy.
It starts with a smile.
A caring word to a stranger.
A “thank you.”
That feeling of gratitude in your heart.
Doing something because.
Handing a stranger a tissue.
Holding the door open.
Waving at a car.
Kindness is like a secret weapon. Not only does it impact the receiver, it impacts the giver too.
So today, I have 2 special kindness offerings.
The first is access to a meditation guiding you through the Metta Bhavana, a Buddhist phrase and practice that means loving kindness.
This is a specific Buddhist prayer to help you foster loving kindness. The idea is to cultivate this feeling within your self and then express it to all sentient beings.
The guided meditation follows the steps as I learned them:
1. Focus on yourself. Feel love, compassion and caring for YOU.
2. Now imagine a loved one standing in front of you. Shower this person with that same love, light and healing.
3. Thirdly, envision in front of you a person with whom you have no relationship – think about your postal worker, a shopkeeper or bus driver. Send this same love and healing light to this person.
4. The next person to come before you is someone with whom you have a conflict or issue. Imagine that person standing directly in front of you. See him or her surrounded by love, healing, kindness and light.
5. Lastly, send this beautiful energy out to blanket the entire world.
You can download the meditation here OR listen to it on Insight Timer.
Practicing the Metta Bhavana will help you create and stay in a place of kindness throughout your day. It's a powerful prayer and practice. Every time I do it, it profoundly alters my day.
And as a special bonus, I’ve added a poem for you called Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye. I heard it over the weekend and learned that it has provided much solace to people over the years. Here is a beautiful link to it, enjoy.
Join me is fostering living kindness within your own being. Both yourself and the world will be grateful.