Pragna Paramita - Compassion

“ Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whoever approaches or uses it, so love from
within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service.”
-Swami Ramdas

Most of us find it difficult to be compassionate to ourselves and to others. Caring for
oneself and caring for others is a wise way of practicing spirituality. If I use my energy
unmindfully for taking care of others, I may do a disservice to myself. I get compassion
burnt out. I need to learn how to be balanced, even-minded. The less we dwell on
ourselves, the more sensitivity will open to the needs and feelings of others. “Every time
we hurt someone and grieve inside because of it, we are attending a valuable seminar
on sensitivity. It is a seminar at the deepest and most personal level.” says Eknath
Easwaran. Self-examination, self-honesty and self-awareness can be powerful tools for
internal transformation.

Daily Practice
“ When we take our seat on our meditation cushion we become our own monastery. We
create the compassionate space that allows for the arising of all things: sorrows,
loneliness, shame, desire, regret, frustration, happiness.” Jack Kornfield “ Take the One
Seat”
​
If you feel remorse about something you have done in the past because it has caused
harm to you or someone else, it can be helpful to acknowledge the harm it caused and
undertake a commitment to refrain from such behavior in the future. Self-compassion
and self -correction are the doorways to internal transformation. The same way, if you
feel someone has harmed you, be empathetic and compassionate to the other person.
Loving kindness-metta meditation heals the hurt caused to us and and also the hurt
caused to others.

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