Mama Says Om - Compassion

This is a difficult one...... Compassion is (and has been) at the core of my practice in this and probably many other lifetimes, and yet it is the place where I fall down over and over again in this lifetime, and all those others too. Perhaps I shall get things right in one of the many lifetimes to come, but in the meantime, I am just pottering along in this lifetime: falling and skinning my knees, lurching to my feet and continuing along the trail with a lantern and a song.

In the Pali language, the word for compassion is karuna, and in Tibetan, the expression is snying-rje. Both seek to describe mercy and loving care extended to those who are suffering, and surely we are all suffering in one way or another. Showing mercy, loving care and consideration to each other is an acknowledgment of the non-duality of existence, of our profound connection to each other and the connection of all things, of the sacred animating spark within us all. That includes Mother Earth, and we must be honest here - our treatment of each other and our mother is appalling.

In Buddhist thought, compassion is embodied within the Buddha Avalokitesvara (or Chenresig) of whom the Dalai Lama is a living incarnation, in the path of the Bodhisattva and the way of the Shambala warrior. There can be no real compassion without wisdom, and prajña (or enlightened wisdom) is the perfect working companion to compassion, both qualities working together, hand in hand and side by side.

Compassion is also one of the four Brahmavihāras or boundless states of being: karuna (compassion), metta (loving kindness), mudita (joy/appreciation), and upekkha (equanimity). Boundless is a fine and appropriate word in the circumstances, for a loving heart enfolds all of life and creation within in its care. The vast flowing cosmic web of existence is without breakage, division or separation, whether or not we recognize it and conduct ourselves accordingly — with compassion.

One begins in small ways and just goes on from there: purchasing groceries for an elderly neighbour who tumbled a few days ago and broke her hip, putting grain and apples out for wild deer and turkeys and keeping bird feeders topped up for our winter birds. Sometimes it's just well wishes and a small blessing - this morning as the first flocks of migrating northern geese flew over the garden on their way south, I blessed them one and all and wished them a safe journey there and back again. May we all complete this journey together, and may we travel onward with compassion.

Written for the incandescent mamas at Mama Says Om, and as always, a nod, a smile and a greeting to Lil.