Cultivating Compassion

by CJ Martes

tzu (Chinese: compassion)
Love and compassion are the most powerful forces in our daily lives. Like all things that are so full of truth, we must strive to gain a deeper understanding of true nature of it. Our life is full of many choices which ultimately lead to either an abundance of compassion or a lack thereof.

We could be like the patient gardener who gently tends to the flowers with compassion and caring. The patient gardener knows that like the flowers, compassion is a thing of real beauty that must be cultivated and nurtured.

We could also choose to be the apathetic gardener who simply doesn’t care that the weeds are beginning to grow around the beautiful flowers. The apathetic gardener watches without action as the beautiful flowers are overrun with many weeds. The apathetic gardener doesn’t see that their lack of action causes the direct result of dying flowers.

There are many times in our lives when we deny ourselves compassion. Like the apathetic gardener we can fail to see how often we cheat ourselves or react to others with a lack of compassion. There is so much that happens that we barely notice most of it.

How often do we push ourselves too hard, neglect proper diet, don’t get adequate sleep or make unrealistic demands on our time? There are many other examples of the lack compassion we have for ourselves. This can be the root of much of the suffering we encounter on a daily basis.

If we become apathetic gardeners toward our own life, then how can we cultivate true compassion for others?

The truth is… if we do not give ourselves compassion, then the compassion we show for others is simply illusionary and incomplete.

If we have the right mind and become like the patient gardener, then we look at the beautiful flowers as an extension of ourselves without any perceived separation. Instead of looking at the flowers as mere plants, we can understand that the plant is us and we are the plant.

Exploring life as an interconnected universe where all living things are a part of the whole allows us to cultivate a deeper compassion.

For a single day, try an experiment.

Wake up and say, today I choose to cultivate a deeper compassion for myself and others.

Throughout the entire day…

Take a reality break. Take 5-10 minutes to stop and look around you. If you are outside, look at the trees, grass, flowers and appreciate that they are alive just as you are. If you are inside, notice the objects in the room, see textures in the flooring and furniture. Pay attention to the smaller details of life. We often miss so much of the rich details when we are too busy to notice them. (Try taking at least 3 moments during the day.)

Give yourself a small compassionate gift. What is something you simply like to do that gives you happiness and joy? Do you remember to acknowledge what you did well? How often do you actually take that lunch break? Try taking a walk if the weather permits or sit in a park and listen to the birds singing. Try buying yourself some flowers.

Breathe More Deeply. Attempt to notice your own breathing more often. Whenever we experience stress, we are more likely to interrupt our natural breathing process. Is your usual breathing deep or shallow? Breath in slowly and notice the way the air feels as it enters your nostrils. As you inhale more deeply and your lungs fill with air notice how your chest feels as it expands. Being aware of your breath helps you create more mindfulness.

Try to be more conscious of other people. Is there someone who needs help? Is there someone who could benefit from my kindness?
It is a divine endeavor to cultivate deeper compassion in our lives. Compassion creates more empathy, deeper understanding and greater happiness. We often focus on what is wrong in our lives without even noticing what is right.

Each day is a gift in our precious human life. We are fortunate to be alive, to be breathing or to feel the ground beneath our feet. Your core essence is love and compassion.

Do not waste precious time only going through the motions of life. Embrace the cultivation of compassion as your joyous path. Spreading true compassion can guide you toward growth and more mindful awareness of yourself and others.



HAVE A BEAUTIFUL & COMPASSIONATE DAY!
OM MANI PADME HUM