AOM TV: Compassion in Action

 YouTube Direct Link: https://youtu.be/4bozIrVVVok

AOM TV: Simon Sinek "Help Others"

Simon Sinek

Help Others UNDERSTAND 

Their Own VALUE To Themselves

YouTube Direct Link: https://youtu.be/F-RhaNlXBNg

AOM TV: John Pavlovitz TO THOSE WHO STILL GIVE A DAMN

TO ALL US DAMN GIVERS

Things to do to help you keep going in times of trouble

John Pavlovitz

AN OPEN LETTER 

TO THOSE WHO STILL GIVE A DAMN

YouTube Direct Link: https://youtu.be/BfWASyk3fnU

Meditations: DO-GOODERY

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. 

It is to be useful, to be honorable, 

to be compassionate, 

to have it make some difference 

that you have lived and lived well.” 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~*~

"The way you get meaning into your life 

is to devote yourself to loving others, 

devote yourself to your community around you, 

and devote yourself to creating something 

that gives you purpose and meaning."

~Mitch Albom

~*~

“There is nothing more beautiful 

than someone who goes out of their way 

to make life beautiful for others.” 

~Mandy Hale

~*~

“It's not enough to have lived. 

We should be determined 

to live for something.

May I suggest 

that it be creating joy for others, 

sharing what we have 

for the betterment of personkind, 

bringing hope to the lost 

and love to the lonely.” 

~Leo Buscaglia

~*~

“Lift up your eyes 

and see the good in the world, 

for we are people 

with an amazing capacity 

to do great good. 

And if only the minority 

choose to exercise this capacity 

to the smallest degree, 

oh how wondrous and sweet 

the deeds performed...!” 

~Richelle E. Goodrich

(Slaying Dragons)

Meditations: Kindness and Compassion

 Compassion by John Pitre

~*~

"On the street I saw a naked child, hungry and shivering in the cold. I became angry and said to God, “Why do you permit this? Why don’t you do something?” 

For a while God said nothing. That night he replied, quite suddenly, “I certainly did something. I made you.”"

~Anthony de Mello

(The song of the Bird)

~*~

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely... Acts of Kindness: A random act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact on someone else's life... Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are."

~Roy T. Bennett

(The Light in the Heart)

~*~

“Do your little bit of good where you are; 

it's those little bits of good put together 

that overwhelm the world.” 

~Desmond Tutu

~*~

“How would your life be different if…You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day…You look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.” 

~Steve Maraboli

(Life, the Truth, and Being Free)

~*~

“Your acts of kindness 

are iridescent wings of divine love, 

which linger and continue 

to uplift others long after your sharing.”

~Rumi

What is a Bodhisattva?

Compassion by John Pitre

~*~

What is a Bodhisattva?

"A Bodhisattva is an ordinary person who takes up a course in his or her life that moves in the direction of Buddha. You and I, actually, anyone who directs their attention, their life, to practicing the way of life of a Buddha is a Bodhisattva....

The life that flows through each of us and through everything around us is actually all connected. To say that, of course, means that who I really am cannot be separated from all the things that surround me. Or, to put it another way, all sentient beings have their existence and live within my life. So needless to say, that includes even the fate of all mankind—that, too, lies within me. Therefore, just how mankind might truly live out its life becomes what I aim at as my direction. This aiming or living while moving in a certain direction is what is meant by vow.

In other words, it is the motivation for living that is different for a Bodhisattva. Ordinary people live thinking only about their own personal, narrow circumstances connected with their desires. In contrast to that, a Bodhisattva, though undeniably still an ordinary human being like everyone else, lives by vow. Because of that, the significance of his or her life is not the same. For us as Bodhisattvas, all aspects of life, including the fate of humanity itself, live within us. It is with this in mind that we work to discover and manifest the most vital and alive posture that we can take in living out our life."

~Kosho Uchiyama

(from the article What is a Bodhisattvas)

My thoughts:

I think the ideas in the article above can apply to all of us who want and work for decent living conditions for all living beings. Whether you call us Bodhisattvas, Spiritualists, Religious or just a Band of Do Gooders, we must realize that the world NEEDS us. We all must awaken to the awareness that we are all connected and that our actions in this world have an effect on all of us as a whole. 

The more people who take up the mission to add more good in the world by helping others, the more power the good will have in overcoming the bad. There will always be suffering as it is part of the human condition, but there is suffering that is caused by the systems invented by humankind and that suffering can and must be eliminated so that all living beings can Live happier, healthier, fuller Lives. 

~*~

As I read the quote below, I replace the word Bodhisattvas with Do Gooders  - people who make it their their mission to improve the lives of all living beings by helping others, thus adding more good in the world.

-----

"What the world needs more than anything is Bodhisattvas, active servants of peace, “clothed,” as Longchenpa said, “in the armor of perseverance,” dedicated to their Bodhisattva vision and to the spreading of wisdom into all reaches of our experience. We need Bodhisattva lawyers, Bodhisattva artists and politicians, Bodhisattva doctors and economists, Bodhisattva teachers and scientists, Bodhisattva technicians and engineers, Bodhisattvas everywhere, working consciously as channels of compassion and wisdom at every level and in every situation of society; working to transform their minds and actions and those of others, working tirelessly in the certain knowledge of the support of the Buddhas and enlightened beings for the preservation of our world and for a more merciful future."

-----

My Thoughts:

Whoever you are. Whatever you do. Wherever you live. Just whatever! Let's add more good to the world by helping those around us. Do something good for others today and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow! 

AOM Meditations: 032719

Compassion by John Pitre

~*~

What is a Bodhisattva?

"A Bodhisattva is an ordinary person who takes up a course in his or her life that moves in the direction of Buddha. You and I, actually, anyone who directs their attention, their life, to practicing the way of life of a Buddha is a Bodhisattva....

The life that flows through each of us and through everything around us is actually all connected. To say that, of course, means that who I really am cannot be separated from all the things that surround me. Or, to put it another way, all sentient beings have their existence and live within my life. So needless to say, that includes even the fate of all mankind—that, too, lies within me. Therefore, just how mankind might truly live out its life becomes what I aim at as my direction. This aiming or living while moving in a certain direction is what is meant by vow.

In other words, it is the motivation for living that is different for a Bodhisattva. Ordinary people live thinking only about their own personal, narrow circumstances connected with their desires. In contrast to that, a Bodhisattva, though undeniably still an ordinary human being like everyone else, lives by vow. Because of that, the significance of his or her life is not the same. For us as Bodhisattvas, all aspects of life, including the fate of humanity itself, live within us. It is with this in mind that we work to discover and manifest the most vital and alive posture that we can take in living out our life."

~Kosho Uchiyama

(from the article What is a Bodhisattvas)

My thoughts:

I think the ideas in the article above can apply to all of us who want and work for decent living conditions for all living beings. Whether you call us Bodhisattvas, Spiritualists, Religious or just a Band of Do Gooders, we must realize that the world NEEDS us. We all must awaken to the awareness that we are all connected and that our actions in this world have an effect on all of us as a whole. 

The more people who take up the mission to add more good in the world by helping others, the more power the good will have in overcoming the bad. There will always be suffering as it is part of the human condition, but there is suffering that is caused by the systems invented by humankind and that suffering can and must be eliminated so that all living beings can Live happier, healthier, fuller Lives. ~AOM

~*~

As I read the quote below, I replace the word Bodhisattvas with Do Gooders  - people who make it their their mission to improve the lives of all living beings by helping others, thus adding more good in the world. ~AOM

-----

"What the world needs more than anything is Bodhisattvas, active servants of peace, “clothed,” as Longchenpa said, “in the armor of perseverance,” dedicated to their Bodhisattva vision and to the spreading of wisdom into all reaches of our experience. We need Bodhisattva lawyers, Bodhisattva artists and politicians, Bodhisattva doctors and economists, Bodhisattva teachers and scientists, Bodhisattva technicians and engineers, Bodhisattvas everywhere, working consciously as channels of compassion and wisdom at every level and in every situation of society; working to transform their minds and actions and those of others, working tirelessly in the certain knowledge of the support of the Buddhas and enlightened beings for the preservation of our world and for a more merciful future."

-----

My Thoughts:

Whoever you are. Whatever you do. Wherever you live. Just whatever! Let's add more good to the world by helping those around us. Do something good for others today and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow! ~AOM

AOM Meditations: 100418

~*~

"The world is difficult, 

and we are all breakable. 

So just be kind."

~Caitlin Moran

~*~

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 

~Albert Einstein

~*~

“Love and compassion are necessities, 

not luxuries. 

Without them, 

humanity cannot survive.” 

~Dalai Lama XIV

(The Art of Happiness)

~*~

“When I give food to the poor, 

they call me a saint. 

When I ask why the poor have no food, 

they call me a communist.” 

~Dom Helder Camara

AOM Meditations: 092718

~*~

“Hurt people hurt people. We are not being judgmental by separating ourselves from such people. But we should do so with compassion. Compassion is defined as a "keen awareness of the suffering of another coupled with a desire to see it relieved." People hurt others as a result of their own inner strife and pain. Avoid the reactive response of believing they are bad; they already think so and are acting that way. They aren't bad; they are damaged and they deserve compassion. Note that compassion is an internal process, an understanding of the painful and troubled road trod by another. It is not trying to change or fix that person.”

~Will Bowen

(Complaint Free Relationships)

~*~

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. (from "Loving Your Enemies")”

~Martin Luther King Jr.

(A Knock at Midnight)

~*~

Want to Love others better?

Love yourself more.

For you can only Love others

To the degree that you Love yourself.

Love is not something you learn to do

Love is who you are at your very core.

~AOM

AOM Meditations: 111617

painting by Lin Jinfu (Jeff Lin)

Yesterday I talked about 

using the rest of my time on earth

in the pursuit of helping others.

There are many ways I can do this.

One of the first things I can do for the people in my life

Is be a better listener.

When someone is speaking to me

I often catch myself thinking of what I will say

Or judging what they are saying

That's not listening fully

Because my focus is often on me and my thoughts

I need to give my full attention to the person talking to me.

I need to show attention

by having appropriate eye contact.

The eyes say more than words can ever express

Attending to the other person

Shows Respect and Care, Love and Compassion.

It seems like a little thing in the

Pursuit of making a better world

but it is a start

One person at a time

Then watch the ripples of change begin

~*~

“Listening is a gift of spiritual significance that you can learn to give to others. When you listen, you give one a sense of importance, hope and love that he or she may not receive any other way. Through listening, we nurture and validate the feelings one has, especially when he or she experiences difficulties in life.”

~H. Norman Wright

~*~

“Being heard

is so close to being loved

that for the average person,

they are almost indistinguishable.”

~David Augsburger

~*~

“People love to talk but hate to listen. Listening is not merely not talking, though even that is beyond most of our powers; it means taking a vigorous, human interest in what is being told us. You can listen like a blank wall or like a splendid auditorium where every sound comes back fuller and richer.”

~Alice Duer Miller

~*~

“I care about who you are, who you have been, who you want to be. I open myself to you to listen and learn about you. I cherish you, not just my fantasy of who you are, not just who I need you to be, but who you really are...”

~Betty Berzon

~*~

“Here's why I will be a good person. Because I listen. I cannot speak so I listen very well. I never interrupt, I never deflect the course of the conversation with a comment of my own. People, if you pay attention to them, change the direction of one another's conversations constantly. it's like having a passenger in your car who suddenly grabs the steering wheel and turns you down a side street.”

~Garth Stein

(The Art of Racing in the Rain)

~*~

Do your best to practice compassionate listening. Do not listen for the sole purpose of judging, criticizing, or analyzing. Listen only to help the other person express himself and find some relief from his suffering.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

~*~

Thich Nhat Hanh on Compassionate Listening 

from SuperSoul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey

(runtime: 3 minutes 22 seconds)

YouTube Direct Link: https://youtu.be/lyUxYflkhzo

~*~

If you would like to watch the full (37 minute) interview
You can watch it on YouTube at this address
Thich Nhat Hanh with Oprah Winfrey SuperSoul Sunday (Link)

I will place the link to this full interview
On the sidebar under 'Listen on YouTube"

AOM Meditations: 111517

Compassion by John Pitre

~*~

I am dying

And so are you

We each have our own expiration date

(It's true! It's stamped on tip of our elbows!)

Each one of us is a limited-TIME offer to the world

And time is our friendly reminder of our mortality

It reminds us to make the most of our days

To grow and bring our special gifts to others

As I ponder upon this fact of life and death

I ask myself

What is the most important thing I can do while I am here?

When my time ends and my candle flame goes out

What did it all mean? What was it all for?

What good was achieved?

What difference did my being make?

My conclusion, from my perspective,

Is that the most important thing I can do

Is to do what I can to help make life better for others,

and through them, better for our future generations

To give so that my being 

Will live on in the happiness and well-being of others

If I can do this then I will not have lived in vain

And the world will know greater joy and less pain

~AOM

~*~

Not In Vain

by Emily Dickinson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain:

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

~*~

I expect to pass through this world but once. 

Any good, therefore, that I can do 

or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, 

let me do it now. 

Let me not defer or neglect it 

for I shall not pass this way again.

~attributed to Etienne de Grellet (Quaker Missionary)

also William Penn, or an anonymous source

~*~

Since we know we are dying

Let us waste no more time crying

For us, the now Living

Let us Sing and Dance

And Celebrate this gift of Life

This is our time

The time of our lives

So let us make use of the remaining time we have

To do all the good that we can do through giving.

Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves

Making the world a better place for all the living

~AOM