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 upon 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 purpose of compassion is warding off cruelty. (Vm 9.97)
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Intention is
the forerunner of the mind, guiding us toward the next moment. Intention
steers a course through the world, directing our path to tread healthy
or unhealthy terrain. However we set our minds in this moment will
determine where our mind goes next. Compassion is a choice that we can
make over and over, and the result will be the gradual development of a
compassionate character. This is a worthwhile thing to do.
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Cultivate
intentions of compassion by encouraging yourself to be aware of the
suffering of others and care for their well-being. This does not mean
feeling sorry for people or merely hoping they will somehow be better
off. Buddhist texts describe compassion as “the trembling of the heart”
when witnessing suffering, which gives rise to an intention of caring.
Allow your heart to tremble—and to care.
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Tomorrow: Refraining from Malicious Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Appreciative Joy
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