Living in the world, but not part of the world is the best way to serve others. A Bodhisattva strives to help all others. In order to help, we must know their thoughts, feelings, intentions, goals, and struggles, yet not be knocked off balance in the face of challenges or adversity. In this way Buddhist compassion is infused with wisdom, the wisdom that recognizes appearances are not real. This is a similar conclusion that quantum physicists come to regarding all physical things in the universe – they appear one way, but exist in another. Everything appears solid, independent, and permanent. Yet when we look deeper, we cannot find these solid, independent, and permanent things! Thus, everything is like an illusion, appearing one way yet existing in another. This understanding frees us from taking things personally and getting too attached. Ironically it opens our heart to more compassion and love. In this way we live in the world, but are not part of it in terms of buying into the illusion.
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How do we get rid of our destructive negative emotions?
We are on an Easter egg treasure hunt searching for treasures. The treasures are not painted Easter eggs. Rather they are our destructive negative emotions, often lurking just under the surface. You might think, “these […]
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The deepest self-compassion is wisdom
The deepest self-compassion is wisdom. It gets to the heart of the matter – all our dissatisfaction and difficulties. Wisdom is basically nonattachment. There are many levels of nonattachment, like peeling an onion. 1000 years […]
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The first beneficiary of compassion is oneself
The first beneficiary of compassion is always oneself. When compassion, or warm-heartedness, arises in us and our focus shifts away from our own narrow self-interest, it is as if we open an inner door. It […]