RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Compassion
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Whatever you intend,
whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will
become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop
meditation on compassion, for when you develop meditation on compassion,
any cruelty will be abandoned. (MN 62)
The proximate cause of compassion is seeing helplessness in those overwhelmed by suffering. (Vm 9.94)
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While
lovingkindness is an emotional attitude that flows indiscriminately to
all beings in all directions, compassion is the form it takes when it
encounters the awareness of suffering. When someone who cares sees
another being suffering, “the heart trembles” and the wish for the
suffering to end arises. Compassion is an expression of caring for
others and as such is an inherently healthy state of mind that should be
cultivated.
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Take some time
to look at suffering rather than avoid it by looking elsewhere. There
are opportunities for doing this all around you, as both small and large
examples of suffering abound. Pay close attention to the quality of
mind that occurs when you are giving sustained attention to the
suffering of another. It is not about getting lost in pity or sorrow but
about allowing the mind to feel the pain with an attitude of caring.
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Tomorrow: Refraining from Malicious Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Appreciative Joy
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