Suspended Coffees

My Dear Rishi,

It has been rather interesting " monosyllable conversations lately. All I want you to understand son is that "I love you from here to the moon and back". Miss you very much Rishi!

Few days back I came across very interesting situation which demonstrated "Compassion in Action". I could not have written about compassion in action more effectively.

 

Suspended Coffee
 

 



I entered a little coffee shop with a friend of mine and gave our order. While were approaching our table,  two people came in and they went to the counter and ordered: ‘Five coffees. Two for us and three suspended, please! They paid for seven cupos of coffee, took their respective cups of coffee and left.

I asked my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?”
My friend said : “Wait, Observe and Learn.”

Some more people entered, The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by two doctors- two for them and five ‘suspended’. While I was still wondering what on earth was a ‘suspended’ coffees as  I was sipping my coffee, enjoying bright  sunny spring morning and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the cafe. Suddenly an old man dressed in shabby clothes who looked like a beggar came in through the door and asked, " Do you have any suspended coffee?’ The lady behind the counter gave the old man a cup of warm coffee and a bagel. The old man thanked the lady behind the counter and left the cafe.

It’s simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition of the suspended coffees, as I understand the tradition was born in the cafes of Italy's southern city of Naples,  people pay in advance for one or several coffees without drinking them. The concept of "Suspended Cafes" has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.

Rishi, Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such cafes or even grocery stores in every city, town around the world where the less fortunate will find hope and support? We humans can take care of each other. It is like bringing "Human Values" to the Humanity.  I hope and wish you learn to be more compassionate and loving person.  Holiness the Dalia Lama, says the following about Compassion and Love:

Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. As a source of both inner and outer peace, they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species."

With lots of love, hugs and best wishes,

Daddy

P.S: I love you and miss you Rishi!

Power of Compassion

My Dear Rishi,

It has been sometime since I wrote to you. I have been going through rather, let's say challenging time. During this time I have never missed a moment where I did not think about you or miss you love.

Words are not enough to even begin describing how much I miss you son. All the things what a father and son take it for granted i.e. playing, walking to school, reading bed time stories, watching a ball game or hugging, building a snowman or playing in snow, bonding etc has been taken away from us, love. I miss you and love you very much.  I just try to tell myself, "The will of God will not take us to places, where his grace will not protect us". I have faith in that God...there is a reason for this gulf between us and only time will tell us although it may not give back us what we have lost but it will give us an opportunity to build in future. That is my hope, that is my prayer, in that I have faith my love.

Today's story is about compassion and demonstrates the power of compassion. I read this story when I was about 12 years old. Although, it took next 20 years for me to understand the true meaning of this story. 

During the time of the Buddha, there was a notorious robber by name of Angulimal who had mercilessly taken hundreds of lives. Angulimal (translated finger-garland) wore a garland made out of one finger of each of his victims. He was a terror and everyone in the village dreaded him. One day, as the Buddha was walking with his disciple, he was stopped by Angulimal, who announced that he was going to take Buddha’s life and adorn his finger in his garland as well.

The Buddha calmly responded “Sure you may take my life, but please fulfill my wish before dying”
“What do you want” asked Angulimal.
“Cut off the branch of that tree” said the Buddha.
In just one slash of Angulimal’s sword the branch came down.
“What now” asked Angulimal.
“Put the branch back on!” said the Buddha.
The bandit laughed. "You must be mad to think that anyone can do that."

The Buddha said “You can cut off my head, however can you give me life back? If you cannot give me life, what right do you have to take it? You think you are mighty because you can wound and destroy others? Any child could have broken of the branch of that tree. The mighty people of the world do not destroy . The truly mighty know how to create and heal”.

Angulimal experienced a deep silence within. He threw away his sword and garland, and fell at Buddha’s feet and said “I never thought about it, that any mediocre person can destroy, and only those with mighty hearts create. Please accept me as your disciple”.

The Buddha embraced Angulimal and initiated him. A violent criminal thus began the process of transformation into a gentle sage. No one is an eternal rogue. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

 

 

Hope and wish you bring compassion and love in your life. I miss you Rishi!!

 

With lots of love, hugs and kisses,

 

Daddy