What is the root of our desire to take away the suffering of others? Is it a gift of the human heart to look on others with compassion? And what happens when our intellectual mind veers us away from that earnest and deep seeded love? What is the cause for us to rename our feelings of compassion- ‘pity’, or ‘relief’, or ‘apathy’?
One of my first memories of true compassion is from age eight. I was raised in a relatively conservative Jewish home, and we went to synagogue nearly every Friday night to celebrate and welcome the Sabbath. As a child, I enjoyed the ceremony: Hebraic chants and words were like a secret code I was blessed to understand, the vibrations of united speech and chanting were a comfort that I was a part of something greater, and I was captivated by the beautiful stained glass windows of the Sanctuary. My favorite part, though, was the social gathering afterward where sweets were laid out—and I could rip off my itchy tights and run around with my friends.
At one special occasion, they served my favorite cupcakes… chocolate with chocolate frosting. I remember elbowing my way to the front of the line in fear they would all run out. They did. But I, contented, walked around the room talking to friends and waited for the perfect moment to devour my beautiful treasure. (I’ve always been the kind of girl to savor the moment before the delight). As I was making rounds to greet everyone I knew, I remember hearing a sharp whine and cry. A little girl had dropped her cupcake… face down on the grey dingy carpet of our social hall. My heart broke. I gave her mine. I told her to, “Enjoy it- it’s super yummy.”
Our actions seem so small. We can never really tell what will make a difference to others. But that feeling I had then… whether it was a selfish joy at my own kindness, or genuine delight in her happiness… the pleasure I felt was my peaceful Truth.
Now, in my studies of Tibetan Buddhism, Yoga, and The Fourth Way, I realize that this desire to give comes from a deeply set habit of my personality. Something “Haley” decided to Like when she was small… something that functions as a way to feel joy. Still, I truly believe that it was a habit formed by Love… and from what I know, that is the thread on which we are all strung: An endless Mala that encircles the universe.
I catch myself at times… intellectualizing Compassion out of my vocabulary… calling it ‘selfish giving’ or ‘pity’ or doubting that my action makes any difference. It is easy to let our negative habits outplay our purest intents. But if we could only remember, that no matter what it seems, the root is Love… the root is our United Mind, where another could never be separate from our Self, we could remember a world free of any kind of need, and act to honor That.
Expand your World. Expand you Heart. Expand your Life… Celebrate Compassion. www.108lives.org
