All who are born will one day die, guaranteed! How and where we are born or die
depends on circumstances that are mainly out of our control. Compassion motivates
people to go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental or emotional pains of
others and themselves.
Upon death (of the body), one enters the underworld (Duat, according to ancient Egyptian/Khemetic belief), where Anubis, the God of the dead, weighs the person's heart on a scale against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of order, truth, and righteousness.
According to the Christian belief, the dead are judged by Almighty God, who decides if by their deeds, they are worthy and entitled to enter the kingdom of heaven.
You, the reader may not agree with either statements above, but it is clear that many of the past and present aknowledge the body dies but the mind, or spirit continue, so how one lives is important.
Todays' world is exhibiting a twisted understanding of compassion. Rather than the relief of others suffering, there is the thinking, or not really 'thinking', that by destroying or hurting others 'I' (ego) will feel better or safer,.
This change in behavior can come about by hysteria; a feeling of desperation beyond logic, and therefore the illogical reaction seen in recent shootings. This change can also come about through trainings: to view those unlike your perceived self, as less important, and as such, subject to all sorts of deprecation and the results there of.
To engender compassion, which definitely makes for a more civil society for everyone, no matter our limited opinion, certain things are required.
Compassion is most often revealed when we do three things: Slow down; Take a Breath; and Recognizing Others as your own mirror image.
1. Slowing down does not mean moving in slow motion. It means looking at the total situation. You would be looking inward and outward simultaneously.
2. Taking a breath, allows for the flight and fight mechanism to be better controlled. This way one is not looking for trouble, but can allow for a better assessment and properly control the situation at hand.
3. Lastly, is the recognition that we humans are more alike than different. We may be different colors and have abilities that differ, but we all have basic needs in common with one another.
Instead of focusing on our differences, it would be more helpful to recognize you too will die, sooner or later. Therefor Our time is best spent making good use of every single
second to be the best person we can be, in all circumstances.
Not easy? Maybe not, but at least TRY!
"At this very moment, for the peoples and nations of the earth. May not even the names disease, famine, war, or suffering be heard. Rather, may their moral conduct, merit, wealth and prosperity increase, and may supreme good fortune and well being, always arise for them"..................HH Jigdral Yeshe Dorje