There are no problems, there are only situations
that ask for your loving attention.
~ Aaron
I was blessed
to be the guest speaker at Pilgrim Congregational Church and some
requested I share these practical suggestions for how you can keep an open heart
and experience true freedom.
Pema Chödrön suggests when we are frustrated or disappointed
or otherwise not approving of life's current circumstances, we can benefit by playing
a game of "Just Like Me" to help us recognize our connection to all
other beings. Sitting in traffic, think, "Just like me, these people have
other things they would rather be doing." Frightened by medical tests or
procedures, realize, "Just like me, these people are frightened and
suffering." Concerned about finances, remember, "Just like me, others
worry whether there is enough money."
She says you can let life stop your mind and create a "Pause
Practice." A
car backfires, a siren blows, a crow caws. Each of these common events can call
us to be present, teaching us to live our lives without giving the conditioned
mind the reigns. Take a few conscious breaths and say
something that inspires our clarity such as:
Loving others is an act of my true freedom.
The freedom of loving others as ourselves requires
awareness and compassion. Our own response to racism, sexism, or fundamentalism
may be fueled by our unconscious
prejudice. We may be prejudiced
against racism. The best way to lessen prejudice in the world is to not be prejudiced
about the prejudice of other people.
Use this wonderful practice to develop sympathetic joy and
keep your heart open. Bring to mind the person or situation and affirm, “May
your happiness continue, may it increase.”
Breathe the phrase, "May your happiness and good
fortune continue, may it increase. May it expand out into the world. May all
beings experience happiness and good fortune."
Use the practice for general categories: "May all
women/men/children find happiness and good fortune. May all on this planet have
a sense of well-being and enjoy success. May all be free from suffering and
feel joy."
Bring to mind any specific professional groups: doctors/lawyers/politicians.
"May right livelihood bless our world. May all on this planet aspire to
do no harm. May all on this planet and beyond aspire to do great good for
all beings. May all be free from suffering and feel joy."
Practice for corporations/countries/ethnic
groups/institutions: "May all beings experience happiness and good fortune."
Bring to mind the animals in the air, on the ground, in
the ground, in the oceans and rivers and streams. Their particular happiness
and well-being. "May they be well-fed and treated with kindness. All
beings. Whatever happiness or well-being. May it continue and grow."
Sacred Text: Galatians
5:13-14 (from the Message)
It is absolutely clear that God has
called you to a free life.
Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an
excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.
Rather, use your
freedom to serve one another in love,
that's how freedom grows.
For everything
we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence:
Love others as you
love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.
