Unit 6: Well On My Way

I have been repeating the phrases from the loving kindness exercises for about four days now, I carry them with me where ever I go. This has been a very personal and eye opening experience. As stated in an earlier post this is one of the hardest things for me to do, to extend loving kindness to strangers or people I deemed "unworthy" of receiving loving kindness. Who am I do deem that? What an "ego" I have! This was a very emotional day when  this realization came to me.

I am very blessed to have a loving family and close personal friends, however, the aspect in my life that has been missing is extending loving kindness and compassion to ALL living beings equally, without exception.

This is why I have chosen (or was this chosen for me) to focus my growth on the Interpersonal.

The practice of loving kindness begins at home, even though these are the people we love the most, sometimes they are the ones that aggravate us the most too. Here at home I always had the phrases "May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness" and "May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness." I consciously had to keep these thoughts in my mind, I remained calm, I listened, and I did not react. This is not something I will perfect overnight, it will take a conscious effort on my part, but I have noticed differences in the people around me, or is it I that have changed and I am actually seeing them for who they really are....individuals. Individuals who are not perfect, who mess up, who try your nerves, but at the end of the day you love them and you would not be complete without them.

Work.......hmmm, when I read in chapter 10, that "To achieve integral life and health, work must become sacred, not when we find the right job, but right now when it is a challenge." (Dacher, 2006) Don't get me wrong I do like what I do, even if it is not what I want to do forever. It is just that it is very stressful, exhausting, and the people (co-workers and patients alike) can be a bit annoying. However, this is the place I need to be at this time, in this very moment. This was my revelation, this is the perfect opportunity for me to practice loving kindness. These people are strangers, as I see many patients every day. I must work with each one I come in contact with, because if I cannot work with the one in front of me, how can I expect to have compassion and loving kindness to ALL living beings?

Here is where I practice "May all individuals gain freedom from suffering." and May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering." What an opportunity I have! I have found that a kind word, a touch of a hand, a smile, a word of encouragement to all that I come in contact with is worth more to that patient then I will ever really know. I see it on their face. I see when someone is upset, or hurting, and they are becoming angry by remaining calm, lowering my voice, and really understanding (not just saying you understand), but really understanding and opening your heart to them, has a profound affect not only to them but to me too.

Again, this is going to take some time and some conscious effort on my part, but seeing a glimpse of the potential here, I am more than willing to forge ahead and see where this will lead.

Peace ~ Robin

"Real compassion comes from seeing the suffering of others. You feel a sense of responsibility, and you want to do something for them. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being."

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~