Understanding and Compassion in Action

My Dear Rishi,

Let's continue the journey of understanding and compassion. I recently stumbled upon a story of understanding and compassion in action.

In 1976 Special Olympics was held in Sponkane, Washington. During a track and field event one of the nine contestants,  taking part in the race fell down after taking few steps because of his handicap. He tried to get up but he fell again. Two of the contestants saw the fallen contestant and came to his rescue. They  helped him to his feet and together they crossed the line. The audience rose to their feet and gave a standing ovation.

Rishi, here is a beautiful example of understanding and compassion in action. The two contestants chose the spirit of cooperation over competition. When we are aligned to cooperate with understanding our compassion lights our lives. We need more understanding and love to sustain this humanity.  His Holiness the Dalia Lama put this concept of "Compassion in Action" much more eloquently, "It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcame the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved"

Rishi, hope and wish you some day be the beacon of compassion in action. I love you very much and miss you.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy
 

Prayer of Understanding

My Dear Rishi,

I wanted to begin this year focusing on, "Understanding and Compassion". Hope, some day you will learn the true meaning and value of these two very powerful words.  Over the course of this year I will share with you some personal experiences, interesting writings I have read from wiser people who have walked this path quite ahead of me and longer than I have. Let me begin this journey of letters with a prayer, I read few days ago it is called, "Prayer of Understanding" By Abby Willowroot.  I took the liberty of making some minor changes but the essence of the poem is kept same. (I hope author forgives me for taking this liberty).

 

Prayer of Understanding



 By Abby Willowroot
 

May I come to Understand

that blessings are everywhere,

that my attitude will effect outcomes,

that challenges are often gifts in disguise.

 

May I come to Trust

that most things can get better, with time,

that a positive attitude make things go smoother.

 

May I come to See

that our skills and talents can be put to help others

that I am a positive influence on many people

that I am surrounded by people who wish me well.

 

May I come to Value

that today is a blessing to be enjoyed,

that each person is unique & important

that each moment of our lives has a meaning

 

Rishi, understanding intellectually will take you to a certain level but understanding with compassion and your heart will free you from you the trappings of this mind and intellectual crutches. Hope you transcend your mind and learn to lead life from a place of compassionate heart.

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

Daddy