COMPASSION IS NOT A PITY PARTY
I feel like Compassion needs a total brand overhaul. It has all sorts of sad connotation attached to it, Compassion isn’t soppy, martyr-like or for the faint hearted. It’s a joyous celebration of the fact that deep down, underneath all our stories, we are made of the same stuff. Being compassionate is essentially being a nice human, which sounds simple, but requires huge commitment, the capacity to laugh, not at but with each other.
One thing to get crystal clear is; Practicing genuine compassion isn’t about feeling sorry for another, but scooping another up, giving them a cuddle and saying “I know, life is crazy and weird and hard sometimes and I see you, you’re doing your best, just like we all are”
Here’s 4 ways you can dive deep in the healing waters of Compassion, that don’t involve a pity party.
1. QUIT THE CATTINESS.
This week, I had that moment where you see yourself saying things that you don’t even mean, or want to say. The words come tumbling out. I know the feeling in my body when I’m talking trash and I know it’s a cheap shot. Sometimes it’s out of habit, sometimes it’s a easy default in conversation and mostly it’s fuelled by fear or insecurity. In any case, see if you can go a whole day (or hour) without injecting negativity (ie: your crap) into conversation.
2. RACTICE AHIMSA (non-harm/violence)
Anytime we can incorporate food into spiritual sadhana, is a good time. Compassion is not confined to our fellow human but for all beings. Every meal is an opportunity to decrease the amount of suffering currently experienced on our planet. There are 1008 reasons to go vego, but if you want to feel peaceful inside, this is like getting on the freeway to raising your frequency. Take it or leave it.
3. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
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This is an easy one, and fun! Take a look around; whether you’re at home, on the train, at a café, at work and notice what you can do RIGHT NOW to contribute to someone having an awesome day.
YOU CAN JUST SMILE AT SOMEONE
Make giving your daily cup of goodness – it’ll give a pep in your step better than coffee! Cultivating a generous heart doesn’t cost a thing. Like spiritual teacher Matt Kahn says “…be an undercover agent of goodness” he says “ If you want to be more spiritual, just give a shit” Care about the people you interact with, give your presence, give compliments, give open ears. When we rise above the scarcity mentality and give generously, life becomes oh-so richer.
4. SELF LURVE
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it’s incomplete”
If Jack said it, it must be true.
As awkward and contrived as self-love can feel, practice it on the understanding that if we are still judging and trash-talking ourselves, how can we dream of doing that for other imperfect humans! Trying out compassion on yourself also fills up your cup, so you have the resources to support others. Strip off and get vulnerable with yourself, tell yourself you’re doing a good job, tell yourself you deserve to be happy, healthy, abundant, loved and free. Even if it feels fake. And try this lovingkidness meditation; say these words to yourself over and over until it feels smooth, true and tactile.
May I be filled with lovingkindness.
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May I be well in body and mind.
May I be happy and at peace.
True compassion emerges when we cease believing the story that we are separate or in competition with one another. See beyond the story, see the soul, the sameness that exists in us all.
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