The poster reads, “Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike, each has their suffering.” - Buddha
I am seeing more people go out of their way to help others. Still, many people try to put down others, one-up the people around them, and compete with others. These actions are not the way of love and compassion.
I wish for you to find tolerance for others, kindness for all, and compassion for those having trouble.
Blessings,
Judy
-Sharon Salzberg, “A Quiver of the Heart”
When I read this passage, I am reminded that not all of us see the same way. I realize that many people judge others’ pain to be lesser than their own. I wonder why we seem to feel aversion, or even jealousy, about other people’s pain. A scene from the movie, “Grumpy Old Men” sticks in my mind. Jack Lemmon’s and Walter Matthau’s character each competed to see who had the biggest hurt! It was funny, and sad, at the same time.
I confess, when I see other people in pain, I most often seem to hurt for them. It quickly goes away. The pain lets me see/feel how they are feeling, and, I empathise with their pain. I typically respond the same way to tears of grief or sadness.
I think most people are like that!
Many blessings,
Judy
The following words come from a teaching by Venerable Jagaro of the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre in Perth. These words were a lesson that I needed around understanding attachment, and to help clients who are attached. May these words help you as well.
Picture from Microsoft Clip Art
In Buddhism we are interested in freedom the freedom of non- attachment. We carry around an immense burden of attachment to everything we consider 'me' and 'mine' , like a big heavy stone on our shoulders. When a wise person points out to us that we could throw off this burden, we regard them with suspicion. 'Throw it off? Then I wouldn't have anything left! I couldn't do that!' Thinking they will bring us happiness, we continue to lug around our personal investments and self interests this great big heavy burden! The Buddha taught that nothing is worth attaching to. Do not attach to anything: that will bring true peace and happiness. Reflect on the process of what we call suffering: what it really is how it arises. Only then can one begin to appreciate what attachment really is, what the result of attachment is, and begin to glimpse the idea and the possible results of non-attachment.
Attachment is something we create in the mind. When we let it go, we begin to experience the silent empty mind. This still, peaceful mind can be found when sitting in meditation. Is it possible to bring it also into our daily lives? Can we live as ordinary people with this non-attachment? There is one vital factor needed if we wish to live skilfully, and that factor is mindful awareness. This factor of knowing, of being present, is essential if we wish to go beyond our continual stream of thinking, projecting, analysing and reacting. It is difficult, isn't it? Without awareness, we are locked into our stale conditioning, like a monkey with its paw stuck in the biscuit jar . All it has to do to become free is let go, but this is just what it won't do. Actually , non-attachment is not something you have to do: all you have to do is stop attaching. This is natural for the enlightened mind, and it is awareness which makes this a real possibility in our lives.
The Buddha taught a Path, gave us a method of skilful means. Meditation is the tool to help us with the process of being present, of seeing attachment and tensions arising, of knowing when to relax and let go. The practice of meditation is very highly emphasised. The more you become aware, the more you can begin to experience true peace and happiness. There is no need to have anything else, no need to achieve anything.
Many blessings,
Judy