How to become happy-Shelter Sit Dec.19th

How to become happy-Shelter Sit Dec.19th
by Scott Walker

Buddha was continually asked by Ananda, "Would it be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is a part of our practice?" To which the Buddha replied, "No. It would not be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is part of our practice. It would be true to say that the cultivation of loving kindness and compassion is all of our practice."

Compassion can come from within as doing something compassionate for others because you want to do good, a manifestation of our inherent goodness. Or, compassion can come from a more selfish perspective…because you want to appear compassionate to others maybe (“look at me, I gave to save the whales”), or simply, my compassion makes ME feel good, which charitable organizations sometimes have to rely on, hence the “save the whales” bumper stickers, right? Either way, it’s still compassion, despite its origin.

I learned this weekend, that a two-year resident of the homeless shelter stashes clothing and things around the shelter so he can give them to others when they need it…a blanket now, or a jacket now, not when the donated goods office is open. We had a long discussion about compassion. In fact, we didn’t even meditate in the meditation session because we had this conversation about compassion and different ways in which it manifests itself in the homeless world. Then, toward the end of the hour, just when we were about to begin a tonglen meditation, a church group came in the room, followed by a group of homeless. The group prayed loudly, with audible “yes Lord” and “amen” thrown in to support the pastor. We didn’t get to meditate because of all the praying and giving away of goods for the homeless who had crowded around.

So, I’m driving home thinking, my compassion meditation was interrupted by compassion in action. Who’d have thought? Coincidence? So, the single meditator and I simply agreed to each do a short tonglen meditation each day for the next few weeks, in line with this season of “compassion.”

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." -Dalai Lama
I'm out until January traveling with the kids, etc.
Happy Holidays
SW