COMPASSION IS A Strong Back, Soft Front
Strong back, soft front. This is how we sit in meditation; and how we then walk through life. Tall, strong, resilient, yet open-hearted, kind and caring. In my fifth month of Meditation Teacher Training we are studying compassion, and it feels like now, for so many reasons, (divisiveness, Covid, holidays, to name a few), is such a perfect time to contemplate, practice, and radiate compassion, to all beings.
“Compassion is to see clearly into the nature of suffering, and to recognize that you are not separate from this suffering. In addition, you aspire to transform that suffering, and actively engage in activities that assist in this transformation.”
Why cultivate compassion?
It builds our Resilience. We will feel into the suffering of others more, but we go back to our baseline much easier. This quicker recovery is better for your nervous system and adrenal function to name a few. In addition, with all the global chaos, which we are all experiencing to some degree, this capacity to feel, yet stay calm, is a powerful tool to help keep you centered and balanced.
It enhances Neural Integration. Meaning, it hooks up our right and left hemispheres and connects more neural pathways in our brain. Neural integration has been shown to improve: anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, allergies, mood swings, cognitive difficulties, addictions and more.
Compassion strengthens our Immune System. Amazing to begin to understand that our thoughts, and what we choose to to think about, can change our physiology.
How can I cultivate compassion?
Please listen to this very inspiring Ted Talk by Joan Halifax as she teaches us about compassion on a personal and global level: Click Here
This is a beautiful explanation and meditation on compassion and loving kindness by author and inspirational speaker Pema Chodron. Click Here to uplift yourself and others.
Kristen Neff teaches that our most atrophied muscle is that of Self-Compassion. Her website has wonderful meditations for cultivating self-compassion.
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