Compassion

Reading from Monday, January 23, 2012 yoga class

Compassion for those who are less fortunate

"The word "compassion" is such a beautiful word; soft and gentle, it is comprised of two parts: com, meaning "with," and passion,  meaning "any intense emotion, either pleasurable or painful."  Many times it is difficult to know which aspect of passion we are feeling, and sometimes we clearly encounter both at the same time. 

Compassion is a form of infinite love, in that nothing can affect or limit it. It is extolled as a virtue for the very few, but is it?  As women, we seem to have a natural gift for radiating love and compassion.  Our heartfelt compassion often embraces people in unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. 

What, then, could prevail that would obscure this natural quality?  In certain circumstances a hesitation on our part may occur when someone is unhappy and needs our compassionate balm.  Could our own worry and stress place compassion on the back burner?  

Consider this: You are waiting at a red light.  Right as it changes to green, your foot comes off the brake, hovering over the gas pedal--you're ready to go!   But traffic is not moving!  Irritation mounts.  You strain to look out the window, and even give a toot on the horn.  "Why are they not moving?  The light is not going to get any greener!  Probably someone's daydreaming, or talking on her cell phone.  I don't have all day!  Let's go!!"  You're now in a fully adrenaline-charged state.

Imagine that when accelerating forcefully as the light turns from yellow to red, you notice out of the corner of your eye a blind woman and her guide dog safely finish crossing the street.  That was the cause of the delay-- the very delay that caused you to be so irritated, anxious, and even angry.  Observing the woman and her dog, your heart is again able to open and expand.  The anger and annoyance dissipate, replaced by compassion.

The way we treat others often reflects on how we treat ourselves.  When we are compassionate to those around us, it becomes easier to have compassion when WE are the one who cause a problem.  Did you ever push the wrong button on the computer and delete hours of work?  Or perhaps you thought you set the oven to go on at a certain time but your dinner guests arrived to find dinner uncooked?  At times like these having compassion for yourself is most important.  For many of us, compassion is a one-way street going out of ourselves.  Let it circle back around; use compassion as a soothing salve to treat everyone, starting with yourself!"

                             From the book, The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi

I am MOST guilty of being inpatient in traffic... in fact, not very compassionate at all.  I work on this all the time.  Also, most of the time I don't show myself compassion as much as I do to my family and friends.  Many of the readings I do for class, have a direct reflection on what I am struggling with or working through.