This weeks’ topic for reflection is compassion.
Compassion starts at home. Always make sure you also take care of yourself. Like they always tell us on airplanes, “Put your mask on first before assisting others.” One way to take care of yourself is to check in when you meditate. Find out how you’re feeling. Is there tightness anywhere in your body. Are you in pain, either physically or mentally? If so what’s it about? There might be emotions that need to be noticed and held gently. Sometimes they just need to be felt and allowed to be. Offer yourself openness and compassion. During a recent Zen retreat I wanted to offer someone far away love and curiosity as he approaches his death. I found this not possible as I was myself sick and suffering with my own illness and tightness. I needed to attend to myself first in order to have openness toward him.
There is compassion that is effortless and comes from truth. The truth is no one is separate and alone. This is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. Compassion is hard when people believe they are separate and competing. It’s much easier when we know we are all together. Choices are also easier when the desire is to be helpful. As I was told by the nurse in the hospital, “I see. I care. My hands respond.” Her compassion was clear and heart felt without her needing to say anything. Compassion simply requires getting out of the way enough to see, care and respond.
Kindness is at the heart of compassion. This kindness involves noticing. Be kind by noticing how we are. Don’t add a negative comment or narrative on top. There is a reason we’re this way. Be kind to others by showing an interest. It could be a smile and eye contact with a stranger. Ask with sincerity how are you? And then listen to the answer. Slowing down and not being in such a hurry allows the space for kindness to show up.
Next week is Christmas. Reflect on this new beginning, this new opportunity to all be together, sharing all the world. His birth, a simple humble beginning in troubled times. The most precious gift is compassion, freely given and received.
Please join us for morning Zoom zazen from 7:00 to 7:30 Tuesday and Thursday, in person zazen at the McNail Riley House Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 and Sunday morning Zoom zazen and discussion of the topic for reflection blog from 8:00 to 9:00 Pacific Time. Here’s the Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 811 6100 3357
Passcode: 278259
Gassho,
Futai
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