"Banish the word 'struggle' from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we have been waiting for." — Hopi elders
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What can we do as individuals to promote compassion?
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August 7, 2009
As the trend of expanding compassion seems to imply; The more we include others into our circles of reverence and care, the more connected and joyous we get to feel. With this as the model for ever greater experiences of Connection, Joy, Peace, and Unity how can we exemplify, support, and promote the expansion of compassion in our personal circles, our communities, and our world?
Comments
Expanding the circle
— Aug 09, 2009
One thing I work at is not to take others perceived negative reactions personally. To allow what is to be and focus on what I am doing. I can never really know what a person is truly thinking and as an imaginative person I can make myself crazy by guessing and assuming. I find my circle continuing to expand by not attributing my meanings to other people's actions.
Best, James
This is Heaven on Earth.
Seeing the Positive in all expressions
— Aug 09, 2009
I once read that all communication is either an expression of Love or a cry for help. I see this idea as having significant merit. The part about all communication being an expression of Love speaks for itself but the cries for help require a bit more exploration. If someone is crying for help I believe that would imply that they are not happy with where they are. Now they may have plenty of food, more than adequate shelter, friends, and lots of stimulating things all around them to engage their minds (as many Americans do) but something is still missing. There is a void that has yet to be filled and even if they are not certain about what that missing ingredient is, they can't deny that they are feeling unsettled. This unsettledness or 'dis-ease' is often expressed with some sort of dissatisfaction with the world around them. Often this can be interpreted as a personal affront for some people. When a person decides to retaliate in response to this 'cry for help' confrontations arise and dissonance or even pandemonium can break out. I agree with your approach to compassion. I believe that if we were able to hold the awareness that all expressions of dissatisfaction had more to do with a personal lack of fulfillment then we are freer to respond to their expressions compassionately. The real trick would be to keep ourselves in that centered, loving space consistently by clearly identifying, addressing, and resolving as much of our OWN inner dissatisfaction as possible. There are many wonderful ways for us to approach this inner work and I would be happy to explore this as an extension of this conversation. Thank you for your thoughts James.
As Heaven on Earth Blooms so too shall We.
Home
I really like where you are going with this, Home.
— Oct 05, 2009
Marshall Rosenburg talks about aggressive and/or coercive language being "a suicidal attempt at getting our needs met." And that is similar to what you are saying with "This unsettledness or 'dis-ease' is often expressed with some sort of dissatisfaction with the world around them. Often this can be interpreted as a personal affront for some people. When a person decides to retaliate in response to this 'cry for help' confrontations arise and dissonance or even pandemonium can break out."
I would love to take classes at the Center for Nonviolent Communication in Alberquerque after seeing their dvd at a local library.
Best, James
This is Heaven on Earth.
Compassion
— Dec 26, 2009
I think that the best way to promote compassion is by taking care of ourselves. I realize this may seem backwards, but hear me out. When you are on an airplane and the stewards are going over the emergency procedures they always tell you that if you are traveling with someone who needs assistance, and the need for oxygen should arise, you put on your own mask first before helping the other. This is because if you, the able person, don't get oxygen, you will be incapable of helping the other.
The same goes in life, if you, the one who has decided it is your mission to spread compassion, don't take care of your self and make sure your physical and emotional needs are met, you are not going to be at a place where you are able to best show compassion to others.
Love yourself, forgive yourself, show compassion for yourself, and then exercise compassion in every situation with everyone you interact with.
In first Out second
— Dec 26, 2009
Hi Chantel, I just took a moment to get acquainted with your bio. I am grateful for your love of laughter and your encouragement to Smmmmmmmmmmile!! I don't think I could agree with your perspective more. I have often used the analogy about the oxygen mask myself when attempting to convey the importance of expanding compassion INWARDLY first so we have some fortification to continue expanding OUTWARD. Otherwise our exhibitions of 'love, care, and compassion' although benevolent intentions, are hollow in their genuineness. I have a poem posted on my blog called 'The Greatest Gift'. It alludes to this idea. If you decide to read it I would be interested in your reflections of it. I believe that being a complete, outwardly compassionate person begins with being a complete, inwardly compassionate person. Marshall Rosenburgs NVC concepts convey this idea beautifully. I hope all of this has served you. Please share any other ideas, perspectives, notions, or chuckles that you find worthy.
Ciao for now,
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