Today, I want to delve into the profound concept of compassion, a cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy and an essential element in our journey through yoga and life. In Buddhism, compassion, or Karuna, is more than just a feeling. It is a deliberate and mindful response to the suffering of others, an active intention to alleviate pain and offer solace.

Imagine a lotus flower, blossoming in the murky waters of a pond. Despite its challenging surroundings, the lotus rises above, pure and beautiful. Similarly, compassion allows us to rise above our own struggles and extend kindness to others. It is the light that illuminates the darkness of suffering, both for ourselves and for those around us. As we practice yoga, let us cultivate this inner light, allowing it to guide our actions and interactions.

Compassion, or Karuna, is an emotional balm we use to heal the wounds of the heart. Where there is anger, there is often unhealed pain yearning for relief. Compassion serves as a powerful tool to deescalate and disarm uncomfortable confrontations. People not only desire to be heard but also to be understood. Compassion is the instrument that allows us to reflect the heartfelt emotions of others, creating a bridge of empathy and connection.

The next time you find yourself becoming defensive and ready to lash out at someone, pause for a moment. Take a deep breath, and instead, offer the loving hand of compassion. Observe how the difficult encounter dissolves, like a shadow immersed in light.

I Am That By: Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

There is only one mistake you are making:

you take the inner for the outer and outer for the inner.

What is in you, you take to be outside you

and what is outside, you take to be in you.

The mind and feelings are external,

but you take them to be intimate.

You believe the world to be objective,

while it is entirely a projection of your psyche.

That is the basic confusion . . .

“You only lose what you cling to.” – Buddha

“If you haven’t made the sacrifices necessary to reach the level of success you’re trying to achieve, you have no one to blame but yourself. The only way to get what you want is to be worthy of receiving it.” Ayodeji Awosika

Michael Jordan

Jordan attended Emsley A. Laney High School in Wilmington, NC where he highlighted his athletic career by playing basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the varsity basketball team during his sophomore year, but at 5’11” (1.80 m), he was cut from the team, deemed too short to play at that level.

Moving back to the JV team he did not give up. He was always to the first to practice and the last to leave. While he lack a few inches in height, he more than made up for it in heart and discipline.

In college people saw he was talented, but no one saw his true greatness

He was picked third in the NBA draft

He exploded on the NBA scene, but only after constantly practicing for a decade

They say our path to freedom flies on two wings – practice and non-attachment. Called “Bird of Yoga”

“Our journey is about being more deeply involved in life and less attached to it.” – Ram Das

“In Buddhism, it is taught that there is not good or evil in this world, but only wisdom or ignorance. An ignorant person can be enlightened persons teacher.”- David Scott

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – Charles Glassman

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

“Compassion is to look beyond your own pain, to see the pain of others.” Yasmin Mogahed

“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.” Jack Kornfield

“Compassion for others begins with kindness to ourselves.” Pema Chodron

When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it. That’s when you can get more creative in solving problems. – Stephen Covey

“Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace”

“We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another.”

“Our relationships are a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves.” – Iyanla Vanzant

“Every moment of your life is a second chance.” ~Rick Price

“This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”

“When you’re forcing love to stay alive with someone, it isn’t love anymore. It has become the fear of being hurt and alone. Clinging to love will be a lot more painful in the long run, and sometimes, you just have to know when to let go.”

With Freedom, comes loneliness. With loneliness comes adventure. With adventure our life has meaning.

Unconditional

Willing to experience aloneness,, I discover connection everywhere;

Turning to face my fear, I meet the warrior who lives within;

“To get over the past you first have to accept that the past is over. No matter how many times you revisit it, analyze it, sweat it, or regret it, it’s over. The past can hurt you no more.” ~Mandy Hale

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” – Irish Blessing

“Use your voice for kindness, your ears for empathy, your hands for helping others, your mind for truth, and your heart for compassionate love.” – David Scott