Day 18: As you travel through life, offer good wishes to each being you meet. ~ The Buddha
Music from Journey through the Matrix by Harry Massey & David Gibson
No matter what, you can always send a prayer
Compassion is the feeling of wanting to ease the suffering of others. It is a natural human trait but it is always our choice to use it. Fortunately, we can never lose it. For those times when we feel like the chores of daily life are all consuming or when we can barely see beyond our own problems we can feel less than altruistic.
But even just the mental sending of positive vibes or well wishes can be a compassionate gesture with positive benefits for you and the recipient.
This is something you don’t have to sit in meditation to do. On your way to the store you could wish everyone you pass a pleasant day. As you are standing in line at the airport you could wish the woman traveling alone with two kids a drama-free trip.
We can always imagine that other people are dealing with challenges like us. And though they may be sad or irritable we are reminded that people can always change for the better. It starts with just a simple wish, a silent prayer or an internal mental attitude of kindness.
As you travel through life, offer good wishes to every being you meet. ~ The Buddha
THE COMPASSION MEDITATION PRACTICE
Begin today’s meditation by taking five deep, slow breaths. Breathe in through your nose slowly to the count of 6, hold your breath for 2 counts, and exhale slowly to the count of 6. Do this for a total of 5 breaths.
With your hands resting on your lap, or on your heart if you wish, recite the loving kindness phrases and really try to generate the feelings of kindness, friendliness and compassion. Starting with yourself, say:
May I be free from suffering. May I be peaceful and truly happy. May I be well in body, mind and heart. May I live with ease.
As you feel the warmth coming from your heart, a sincere desire that you not suffer, see if you can extend that feeling to someone you care about. Imagine a dear friend or loved one and repeat the phrases:
May you be free from suffering. May you be peaceful and truly happy. May you be well in body, mind and heart. May you live with ease.
Finally, as you bask in these wonderful feelings of kindness and compassion, extend the wish to all beings on the planet.
Spend a few minutes allowing this wave of loving kindness to swirl around you and radiate out from you.
Take this feeling of connectedness with you throughout your day. Always remembering that you, too, are worthy of a life free from suffering, full of peace and true happiness.
Please share this 21-day challenge with your friends and loved ones using the hashtags #Compassion #Meditation
May you be free from suffering. May you be peaceful and truly happy. May you be well in body, mind and heart. May you live with ease.
With love,