The Case For Universal Compassion
Jews might be a cause for great empathy when discussing WW2, and not when witnessing news of the Gaza conflict. Christians and Muslims might be together now, but not during the Crusades. Eastern religions are looked upon as beautiful, but persecuted by Imperial Forces. It seems that 'God-fearing' ain't all that simple.
It is hard for anyone to have empathy and compassion for all sentient beings. This is an ideal that takes many lifetimes to perfect.
Yet we believe that within everyone there is Buddhanature, and therefore the seed of perfection.
How does this help recovery?
Relapse Much?
My partner is scared shitless about relapse. Ken Wells says that relapse is about losing who you are and forfeiting your potential for who you are meant to be.
Fear is a good motivator, but living in fear is less preferable to living in joy.
“For sure, relapse is not necessary for addicts in recovery. Yet, learning to address lapse or relapse behaviours is imperative toward building long-term recovery. There are high-risk zones and pitfalls in recovery that addicts must be alert to avoid the backsliding into old destructive behaviours that are common for many.“
In this article, Ken Wells discusses his experience with living on the edge and going deep or ‘all-in’, so that relapse is less of a fear.
Nuclear War, Mathematicians, and AA’s Step Four
We generally know that the alcoholic seeking recovery has behaved in ways that have caused negative impact. The consequences of our actions causes ourselves and others to experience pain.
In this wonderful documentary, we see that there is a scientific way to prove that changing our behaviour will result in happier, more successful outcomes. That is to say, if we act better, there will be a better result in the long run.
(extra points for watching till the 20-minute mark)
Disappearance
The leaf tips bend under the weight of dew. Fruits are ripening in Earth’s early morning. Daffodils light up in the sun. The curtain of cloud at the gatewa of the garden path begins to shift: have pity for childhood, the way of illusion. Late at night, the candle gutters. In some distant desert, a flower opens. And somewhere else, a cold aster that never knew a cassava patch or gardens of areca palms, never knew the joy of life, at that instant disappears- man’s eternal yearning. – Thich Nhat Hanh
love alwaz
mike