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)
Compassion is the way to purity for one who has much cruelty. (Vm 9.108)
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None of us like
to think of ourselves as cruel, yet cruelty lies dormant in all of us
and can rise up without our calling it intentionally to mind. It may not
ripen into murderous intent, but it can nonetheless manifest in subtle
ways and cause great harm to ourselves and others. Compassion is both
the antidote to and the vaccine for this affliction, dispelling cruelty
once it has arisen and guarding against its arising again in the future.
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Call to mind
the emotion of compassion, feeling tenderness toward those who suffer
and encouraging the gentle wish that they heal and become free from
affliction. Notice how this has a purifying effect on your mind and
heart; it almost feels like fresh, cool water washing away any residue
of selfishness or ill will. Bathe in this shower of compassion at every
opportunity, thereby keeping all thoughts of harm out of mind.
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Tomorrow: Refraining from Malicious Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Appreciative Joy
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