See Yourself through the Lens of Compassion

Do you find it hard to be gentle, loving and compassionate toward yourself?

Consider this reasoning for why you are fully deserving of your own love and compassion.

“We have every reason to feel compassionate toward ourselves. In the ordinary state of mind we are helplessly overtaken by selfish emotions; we lack the freedom to remain unaffected when these emotions occupy our mind. Swept away by feelings of attachment, anger, closed-mindedness, and so forth we lose control, and we suffer a great deal in this process. In such a state, we are unable to help ourselves, let alone others. We need to relate to our own suffering here with compassion in a balanced way, applying compassion toward ourselves just as we would do with others. In order to help others, we must first help ourselves, so that we can become capable of expanding our efforts further. But we shouldn’t get stuck in just helping ourselves. Our compassion must embrace all other beings as well, so that having freed ourselves of negative emotions we are moved by compassion to help all sentient beings.” – from Fearless Simplicity by Tsoknyi Rinpoche

One way to create a basis for compassion in your life is by establishing a regular practice of meditation. When the mind is settled, the heart naturally opens.  Through meditation, you will also develop a greater capacity for transforming whatever may block the natural expression of your innate love and compassion.

If you would like to learn to meditate, consider joining the next What Meditation Really Is online course, which is based on teachings given by Sogyal Rinpoche, author of the international bestseller  The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.  I will be your host and instructor for the upcoming course.  Here are the details:

What Meditation Really Is – Online Course

July 11 – August 22, 2012 (6 sessions)

“This course offers an introduction to methods of meditation practice that are simple, yet powerful and profound. These methods can be practiced by anyone and are extremely effective for bringing inner strength, peace, compassion and understanding into your life.”

Curious?  Learn more about and register for the What Meditation Really Is online meditation course.

Do you hesitate to give yourself the same warmth, love, and compassion that you would naturally extend to others in distress?  Do you find self-judgment and self-criticism your unconscious partners?  Or have you learned to be cozy and with yourself?

Image:  Public Domain

This article is part of my series of Compelling Questions offered to stimulate inner reflection.  Thank you for reading and sharing!  If you enjoyed this article please subscribe for free updates by email.  With love, Sandra