Post by Indilwen on Jul 14, 2010 16:25:06 GMT 12
The Testing of Compassion
When things don't go your way, how do you react?
Do you fret and stew, stomping about, thoroughly frustrated?
When you have a partner, or a spouse, or a child who acts this way, what is YOUR reaction to that?
It's hard to have compassion for the suffering of others when we find ourselves irritated with their behavior. When you feel your frustration rising, remind yourself to take a slow, deep breath before speaking, and let this action remind you to re-attune your self to the more relaxed feelings of love.
Are you able to show your compassion for others even though you may feel a bit irritated with their behavior?
~~~
An Indian medicine person explained how the Senecas adapted themselves to their surrounds:
"We adapt ourselves through faith. The faith we have developed in our fellowman is responsible for the depth of peace and contentment we enjoy during routines of daily living. We govern this through our thoughts. We live out our patterns of thought. The patterns we establish serve as personal principles. Society also has principles that affect us. At times there are conflicts that affect our thoughts. The standards we set to govern the conflicts rely upon the depth of our personal principles. Some of us do not recognize our personal principles and permit the principles of society to set our patterns of daily living. This habit does not foster complete peace or contentment. Something is lacking and results in a sense of restlessness. We need to belong to ourselves, not drift along in the maelstrom of society and wonder why problems are always rearing their confused heads.
"Life to the early Seneca had great significance. It was the manifestation of the LIFE FORCE of the Great Mystery or the Great Spirit. It was expressed by one's health, in spirit, mind and body. All American Natives believed that the Spiritual Essence was perfect; a state of perfection, totally balanced in Nature on every dimension of existence. The purpose of life was to develop one's natural potentials and share these gifts with others. The imperfection of earthly experiences were the lessons of self-development. "
~ Excerpted from "Entering Into the Silence: The Seneca Way "
~~~
When I find myself focusing on the problems of others, I know I can get a better perspective if I take time out for meditation. There, I can thoroughly relax myself and let the cares of the day melt away. There, in the silence of my meditation I can feel my own Source Energy and allow myself to become re-attuned to the soft, sweet feeling of relaxation.
I always come away from my meditations with renewed strength and energy to meet the challenges of the day with more compassion.
How do YOU handle the day to day frustrations that arise?
Do you find you are being called to stretch your Compassion?
When things don't go your way, how do you react?
Do you fret and stew, stomping about, thoroughly frustrated?
When you have a partner, or a spouse, or a child who acts this way, what is YOUR reaction to that?
It's hard to have compassion for the suffering of others when we find ourselves irritated with their behavior. When you feel your frustration rising, remind yourself to take a slow, deep breath before speaking, and let this action remind you to re-attune your self to the more relaxed feelings of love.
Are you able to show your compassion for others even though you may feel a bit irritated with their behavior?
~~~
An Indian medicine person explained how the Senecas adapted themselves to their surrounds:
"We adapt ourselves through faith. The faith we have developed in our fellowman is responsible for the depth of peace and contentment we enjoy during routines of daily living. We govern this through our thoughts. We live out our patterns of thought. The patterns we establish serve as personal principles. Society also has principles that affect us. At times there are conflicts that affect our thoughts. The standards we set to govern the conflicts rely upon the depth of our personal principles. Some of us do not recognize our personal principles and permit the principles of society to set our patterns of daily living. This habit does not foster complete peace or contentment. Something is lacking and results in a sense of restlessness. We need to belong to ourselves, not drift along in the maelstrom of society and wonder why problems are always rearing their confused heads.
"Life to the early Seneca had great significance. It was the manifestation of the LIFE FORCE of the Great Mystery or the Great Spirit. It was expressed by one's health, in spirit, mind and body. All American Natives believed that the Spiritual Essence was perfect; a state of perfection, totally balanced in Nature on every dimension of existence. The purpose of life was to develop one's natural potentials and share these gifts with others. The imperfection of earthly experiences were the lessons of self-development. "
~ Excerpted from "Entering Into the Silence: The Seneca Way "
~~~
When I find myself focusing on the problems of others, I know I can get a better perspective if I take time out for meditation. There, I can thoroughly relax myself and let the cares of the day melt away. There, in the silence of my meditation I can feel my own Source Energy and allow myself to become re-attuned to the soft, sweet feeling of relaxation.
I always come away from my meditations with renewed strength and energy to meet the challenges of the day with more compassion.
How do YOU handle the day to day frustrations that arise?
Do you find you are being called to stretch your Compassion?