Compassion

When Kindness Prevails.

I watched a young man at the corner store; his shoulders we’re hunched, as he reached out his hand. “Please,” he begged. “Can you spare a little something to keep the last of winter away?”

His hands trembled as he watched one, then another and another, again – emerge from the shop with arms overflowing. A sundry of breakfast items, mostly – coffee, egg sandwiches and spicey fried potatoes.

As the last of the crowd shuffled through, I could see his desperation building. Though, as if on cue, a little one – not more than 7 or 8 years old – stopped to stand before him. “Where is your coat?” she asked.

“I don’t have one,” he said. And, noting the perplexed look upon her face offered, “Some folks…they just can’t afford it.”

The child’s mother clenched her jaw as she shuffled through her purse. As her eyes narrowed, the shuffling became more deliberate – almost aggressive. “I swear, they really need to do something about you people. She placed a dollar bill into his hand, “Here, this’ll get you started.”

As she turned to walk towards her car, the little one stayed. “You can have mine,” she smiled, unzipping her jacket.

Children have a way of cutting through to the heart of this world’s ‘far too complex’ problems. Issues like poverty, hunger – and, more recently, weighing into a debate on gun violence. Their thoughts are not yet jaded; they see a need, they respond. They are both the source and embodiment of a healing heart.

“Freedom and love go together,” Jiddu Krishnamurti writes. Within a child’s mind, there is no distinction. To them, the answers are simple – approach all things with the energy of compassion.

This is what I wish to share with you today, a moment to express and experience the love shared so freely here. For it’s only when our the heart is ‘right’ that we may begin to effect a change.

In peace my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣

The Only ‘Wall’ That Matters.

There’s a reverence for life that seems to have been lost. At least, that’s what the news would portray – world leaders effecting hate over Twitter as millions of acres burn away. Our priorities shift as the ego grows.

By all accounts, humanity’s ‘mirror’ has been shattered. Though, in actuality, it’s the actions we take – our role in moving forward – which serves to define the greater measure of man.

In Buddhism, we speak of apertures – the lens by which we view this world. Our reverence for life refines that focus, broadening to include all aspects of life.

We can be angry, we can be sad – but we mustn’t ever lose faith in the value of our place; as the bearer of strength in our time of need.

In the end, the only ‘wall’ truly of concern is the one which confines our heart.

In peace…

Namaste ❣️

In This, We Are Connected.

There’s a beautiful teaching relayed in the pages of the Talmud; one which softly underpins the necessity of our connection.

“How do we know that dawn has arrived?” a Rabbi once asked of his students. After a long silence, one of the students finally replied, “When you can tell a sheep from a wolf?”

The Rabbi shook his head no.

“When you can see a blue thread upon a mottled green cloth?” another asked.

Again, the Rabbi shook his head no. After some discussion, the students finally conceded their loss. “Tell us, Rabbi – how do we know that dawn has arrived?”

The Rabbi replied: “When you can see yourself reflected in the eyes of another, and realize that that we belong to one another – *that* is how we know that the dawn has arrived.”

There’s a dawn that extends beyond the first light; one which unifies and empowers. It is the dawning of our love, and the blessing of our birthright. Within which, we find the spaciousness to become ‘whole’. And through which we discover the freedom of these ‘bindings’.

Though sadly, we tend to suffer the malady of our distinction; a barrier born of ego’s plight.

When in reality, are we not all manifestations of the same endless light?

A little something to consider, my friends…

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

How Does it Make You Feel?

Maybe it would be helpful to ask ourselves what do we know to be true?

Not what we might presume or extrapolate through the influences of rival news media, political strategists and in-office ‘debates’ – rather, how do these present circumstances make you feel?

Angry, upset…enraged? Do you feel powerless against the tides of a rapidly growing dissent? Is the problem ‘too large’ for any one person to engage?

I, too, find myself struggling – 59 missiles striking yet not a single soul ushered in? Haven’t we yet learned, my friends – that taking action only when it suits is never really the way.

They’d like us to believe this war to be imminent – though, those of us who have fought will share that war is never the only justifiable means.

Stop. Take a moment, please – what do you feel?

If you, like me, wish these actions to stop then we must be willing to grant refuge. To extend ourselves in another way, to offer a farther reaching set of arms. And knowing that this harm against one is actually a harm against all.

We share this path, not by happenstance. Rather, in the hopes that we might find healing.

In peace, my friends…

Namaste ❤

Our Collective Human Concern.

I’ve noticed recently a shifting of paradigm; that which once divided is beginning to right its course.

For in the midst of this now grave human crisis, one things stands undeterred – our ability to empathize with those in need.

Irrespective of our political leanings or the caveats of our social circumstance, the heart always retains its capacity to remain open.

When our eyes are visited with the suffering of another, we feel its expanse as the awareness once locked within self suddenly shifts. In this moment, the boundaries of our existence transition and our understanding of ‘I’ begins to grow.

Some may argue that we survive only through ruthless posturing and the actions which place us in a superior position. Though, I would contend the contrary to be true.

I believe the heart craves human connection. Even with all its messiness and complexity, that connection is imperative to the continuance of life on this plane of existence.

Because a heart absent emotion can not thrive; and a spirit absent service will surely die.

Ram Dass once wrote that love is a tall order for those oppressed by dark shadows. Having said that, how else might we effect a more kind and loving society if we are unwilling to tackle this darkness in others?

I believe there to be just one answer – we can’t. Though, what do you think my loves?

In peace…

Namaste ❤

The Lesson of Some.

There’s a young man who waits at the bus stop each day; short in stature, though quite tall in spirit.

He’s taken the task of watching over, ensuring each child may stand without worry. “Do you have enough lunch money,” he’ll ask without a moment’s pause, dipping into his own pockets to ensure all might have some.

At just 11 years old, he’s developed a connection deeper than those twice his age.

If you ask him ‘why’, he’ll answer ‘because’. Though, those of us who know understand there’s more to that story.

His mother had been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and typically incurable form of brain cancer. Early into her treatment, his father filed for divorce leaving the majority of home responsibility squarely upon this then 9 year old’s shoulders.

He did without, for a long while until a classmate took note. “You can have mine,” she smiled, pushing her bag across the table. It was the first bit of food he’d had in 2 days. Afterwards, she approached a counselor at the school, “No one should go without,” she said. “Everyone should have some.”

From that moment on, the community banded together – offering car rides and house cleanings and home made dinners. We all worked together because one of us had none, vowing never again to lose connection with our neighbors.

Eventually, a relative learned of her circumstances – flying in immediately to ensure the young man’s care.

Can you imagine facing so much at such an early age? Not only did this young man ensure, he found the means to rise above – and this lesson of community serves him to this day.

“Do you have enough,” he asks of yet another running behind.

Because no one should go without while others still have some.

A little something to consider, my loves…

In peace…

Namaste ❤

That Which We Share.

Mother Teresa once reminded of the capacity of a true and giving love; sharing that we mustn’t mistake this gift of heart as a ‘single drop’ and nothing more.

Though humanity’s waters are vast, they are not without cause. Even that which seems insignificant by comparison, we must trust serves a greater bond.

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not there, I think the ocean would be less in missing it…”

The truth is that we never really know how a single act may impact the whole. I myself could recount a hundred stories born on the wings of kindness and gratitude.

Because…

What we give inevitably returns to us albeit in different form.

Someone once asked me why I ‘bother to write’. “If not for you, then who?” he mocked, hoping to dissuade the action from its intention.

“I write for everyone,” I answered simply in return, “and, such that no one should ever question whether or not they are loved.”

What we give is of impact, I promise you, my loves. And, that which we share – of infinite value.

In peace…

Namaste ❤

Love’s Blessing Unto Existence.

Sri Ravi Shankar once wrote that love isn’t an emotion, rather – it is the very basis of our existence.

In following through, we must consider the magnitude of these words; the means by which they ebb and flow, infusing this essence of day.

And, we are made better having experienced its wonder – our thoughts enriched through spirit’s engagement. Just as the willows derive peace through the experience of play – so, too, must we concede. While, ever mindful to their care – a waltz upon wind to silence our cares.

And, without which, this world would be absent its ‘seasons’.

In peace ~

Namaste ❤️

Encouraging Our Children’s Growth.

I watched a family standing outside a coffee shop this morning. The parents too busy sorting their order to witness the majesty of compassion’s unfolding.

“Ugh – they never get it right,” the Mother scowled bitterly; just as her little one was breaking away.

Her daughter, who couldn’t have been older than 5 years old, had been watching a homeless man shivering near a street vent.

“Are you cold?” she asked, her eyes painted with worry. Silently, he nodded ‘yes’. Without hesitation, she handed him her scarf.

“You can have it,” she said. “It itches my neck.”

Just then her father turned, “What are you doing? Get away from that man.”

What message are we sending to the young hearts of today, when we encourage them to keep compassion from tomorrow? And then troubled by the declination of streets, we exclaim

“These youths today…”

We are troubled by that which we, ourselves, have designed.

Oddly enough, though we are presented these opportunities each day – its not often that we are able break free of hesitation’s hold. We have the capacity to engage our true Buddha nature, sure – though, are we willing to let it show?

As humans, we are gifted a tremendous opportunity to develop and nurture these roots of compassion. Through meditation, we can learn to extend it. Though, ultimately – it’s only through moments like this that we are finally able to release ‘self’ in service to all.

“You can have it,” she smiled, without hesitation. Sometimes the littlest of hearts have the most love to share.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

What Makes Us Human?

What makes us human, my loves? Is it the passion which lights these trails of empathy, or the strength of will within?

Is it the resolve which compels our purpose, or the readiness to take action?

We find ourselves often at these crossroads of consciousness and realization. The path we choose defining our way, but more so contributing courage. To that which remains at times unseen, slipping from humanity’s view.

We are but one, the collective ‘we’ – and, none without the means to infuse the energy of righteousness and kindness, my loves. It is both the grace and amplitude of our being.

What makes us human, my dearest loves?

It is the inescapable draw of our connection.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️