This week we continue our exploration of the Brahma-viharas, the heart-centered practices of meditation stemming from the Buddhist tradition. Last week we explored Metta meditation, that of loving-kindness. The practice is the repetition of phrases such as:
May you be safe
May you be happy
May you be healthy
May you live with ease and find peace
As stated last week the phrases are simple and succinct and are repeated as we sit in the practice of meditation and stillness. We began the practice with statements focused on ” May I” as that is the starting point for this practice. We begin by offering these statements to ourselves and over time we begin to offer them to others. This week we begin to move further away from ourselves as we explore the second of the Brahma-viharas, Karuna, translated as compassion.
Compassion is where loving-kindness meets suffering, whether it’s within ourselves or others. The Brahma-viharas are one wing of a bird with the other wing being mindfulness and insight. When we see the suffering in others (wisdom and awareness) and couple that with loving-kindness, we begin to take the idea of compassion and place it into action. Compassion means “to suffer with” and goes beyond mere empathy. When we empathize and then go further to offer phrases of loving-kindness, compassion comes to life. It’s more than an intellectual idea and can become a way of traveling through our daily lives.
All of these practices take time and consistent repetition. Introducing these practices through classes and writings is simply that…an opening of a small door into a much larger way of being in the world. Recently His Holiness the Dalai Lama was asked about his daily (and lengthy 4-6 hours) meditation practice. He said that he no longer has the emotion of anger. It appears momentarily and then dissipates. It’s incredible to think that this is possible, given the seemingly endless violence and unrest in the world, particularly for His Holiness as he has so many issues that he could be angry about! Yet, his daily commitment and steadfastness have altered his relationship and attachment to such powerful emotions. He’s an extreme example as his practice has lasted for virtually his entire life(times). These practices are so completely embodied that his natural go-to state is that of compassion. It oozes out of him. And the one thing we all have in common with the Dalai Lama is that he’s as human as the rest of us.
So what does this mean for us everyday house holders?
My thought for the week is to recognize that all of us suffer in our lives, yet a way exists to meet it. When we become aware of our own or other people’s’ challenges, we have a way to “hold the space” for what is arising rather than to turn and run away from it. It doesn’t necessarily mean we try to “fix it” but rather to find a way to hold recognition that it exists and soften to what’s happening by taking a breath. We connect our deep-hearted human quality to the moment and offer what we wish for ourselves and all beings. We step into the gap and experience what it means to be deeply human.
Today, wish for yourself and someone else that you know who may be suffering, to be safe, happy, healthy, find peace and live with ease. Our compassionate hearts are greatly needed.
