Let your soul lend its ear to every cry of pain as a lotus bares its heart to drink in the morning sun. Let not the fierce sun dry one tear of pain before you yourself have wiped it from the sufferer's eye. But let each burning human tear fall on your heart and there remain, nor ever brush it off until the pain that caused it is removed.
-- Traditional Vedic meditation
Sunday, May 07, 2006
True compassion
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On the surface, this seems easy. Who wouldn't want to remove the cause of pain and therefore suffering in others? I have to wonder though how many times I have wanted to stop another's tears not because it would stop their pain or suffering, but rather to relieve my own discomfort. Especially when I have been the cause of their tears, I want their tears to go away because then I can pretend that I really didn't inflict pain and suffering upon them. It takes true courage to be with the tears of another's pain and suffering until their pain, not mine, has been relieved.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn L.
This is a very profound observation, Carolyn. Thanks for making it.
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