this third rock from the sun, spinning through space and time, having just the right balance of arising conditions to support life as we are, as we have, and as we have known, thank you for Being.
a miracle, the majority of us have misunderstood, seeing ourselves as above, rather than among.
we are interdependent life ebbing and flowing, the trees and us breathing together, all of us a majority water.
a myriad of microcosmic ecosystems, threads of a tapestry, a whole.
“we, not i” should be our mantra as we seek to heal our “self”-made wounds.
co-healing, co-creating, weaving life anew with love.
Chag Pesach sameach to all my Jewish friends and all observing Passover! may it be blessed!
i’m sharing this profound, insightful, and needed Passover message from Shelly Tygielski.
may all beings be safe, happy, healthy, and free from suffering.
~j
⭕️♥️🙏🏼
Posted @withregram • @mindfulskatergirl A prayer for each of us on Passover – regardless of whether you celebrate or not. #humanity Posted this last #Passover and it’s so relevant right now, in 2024. #bibleverses #biblequotes #prayer
“For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is a law eternal.”
~ Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha
(Dhammapada vs. 5)
often quoted, and a myriad of translations of this verse, it remains for me, the foundation and the guidepost for all other teachings.
this version comes from the translation i have on my shelf, translated from the Pali by Juan Mascaro, for Penguin Classics. in particular, i like this version of very last phrase, “This is a law eternal”, which elicits the idea that this love that is the solution, is at the very foundation of reality and existence itself without beginning, without end. it has an ancient tone to it. other translations use words such as eternal rule, unending truth, unalterable law, etc.
just before this, the Buddha gives insight into what can lead us to hatred. he says in verses 3-4:
“He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me.’ Those who think such thoughts will not be free from hate. ‘He insulted me, he hurt me, he defeated me, he robbed me.’ Those who think not such thoughts will be free from hate.”
so it seems that our ability and commitment to letting go, to not holding onto grievances, is itself an act of love for ourselves and others, and assists in creating an environment and world free from hate, where harm is not perpetually perpetrated. whereas, holding on to grievances, carrying anger and resentment, is not a path of love for ourselves and others, and will not bring us or the world peace.
this challenges us to find ways of undoing the harm and wrongs of this world, while also having accountability, and also doing so without seeding the ground with more harm and wrongdoing, or fostering hate.
may we all sit with this wisdom, and allow it to permeate every cell in our bodies, that we may live in such a way of love, that the world benefits from our lives and we no longer contribute to harm.
so much suffering at the hands of delusion, grasping, and aggression. so many lives endangered, harmed, and lost to the hands of war.
may all beings be safe, at peace, and free from suffering.
may our thirst for violence and retribution find its end.
may we also not lose our awareness of the suffering that has been, in light of the suffering that might be.
it is my hope and prayer that in the light of these latest escalations, that the Israeli hostages and millions of Palestinians facing imminent starvation, the tens of thousands of lives already lost, and the underlying issues and challenges, are not forgotten.
it can feel overwhelming when we look out into the world and see so much suffering.
we have a tendency when our heart is moved by such suffering to take it all on in some way, if not in action, then in thought. this can lead to anger, burnout, and distress, even depression and despair. we get pulled into and swept up by the storm.
we can also have a tendency when our heart is moved by such suffering to close up and stick our head in the sand, choosing an “ignorance is bliss” attitude to avoid the discomfort and feeling of powerlessness. but it isn’t so easy to unsee what we have seen or to un-know what we have known. so it stays with us, perhaps buried, but waiting to reappear at some point in the future.
neither of these approaches are sustainable or beneficial. and we may end up causing even more harm to ourselves and others.
instead, we can take up a middle path of not closing ourselves off to the suffering we see. we can stay aware, but take smaller actions towards alleviating suffering and adding benefit to our immediate relationships, surroundings, and community. and if able, we can support the work of organizations who are taking up the large scale issues, all the while being mindful of our own well-being. mindful of what level we can participate and maintain an open heart and steady mind. we can take up practices that support our own well-being, including valuing rest.
each thread of love, of empathy and kindness, we contribute adds to the larger tapestry of compassion people are weaving for a world in need. in the words of another Stephen, Stephen Sondheim, “Bit by bit, putting together. Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art…”
in humble and grand ways, with those close and far, we have the incredible opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to be the instruments of love and healing needed in this world.
The Metta Garden 