There are no problems, there are only situations that ask for your loving attention.
~ Aaron
I was blessed to be the guest speaker at Pilgrim Congregational Church and some requested I share these practical suggestions for how you can keep an open heart and experience true freedom.
Pema Chödrön suggests when we are frustrated or disappointed or otherwise not approving of life’s current circumstances, we can benefit by playing a game of “Just Like Me” to help us recognize our connection to all other beings. Sitting in traffic, think, “Just like me, these people have other things they would rather be doing.” Frightened by medical tests or procedures, realize, “Just like me, these people are frightened and suffering.” Concerned about finances, remember, “Just like me, others worry whether there is enough money.”
She says you can let life stop your mind and create a “Pause Practice.” A car backfires, a siren blows, a crow caws. Each of these common events can call us to be present, teaching us to live our lives without giving the conditioned mind the reigns. Take a few conscious breaths and say something that inspires our clarity such as:Loving others is an act of my true freedom.
The freedom of loving others as ourselves requires awareness and compassion. Our own response to racism, sexism, or fundamentalism may be fueled by our unconscious prejudice. We may be prejudicedagainst racism. The best way to lessen prejudice in the world is to not be prejudiced about the prejudice of other people.
Use this wonderful practice to develop sympathetic joy and keep your heart open. Bring to mind the person or situation and affirm, “May your happiness continue, may it increase.”
Breathe the phrase, “May your happiness and good fortune continue, may it increase. May it expand out into the world. May all beings experience happiness and good fortune.”
Use the practice for general categories: “May all women/men/children find happiness and good fortune. May all on this planet have a sense of well-being and enjoy success. May all be free from suffering and feel joy.”
Bring to mind any specific professional groups: doctors/lawyers/politicians. “May right livelihood bless our world. May all on this planet aspire to do no harm. May all on this planet and beyond aspire to do great good for all beings. May all be free from suffering and feel joy.”
Practice for corporations/countries/ethnic groups/institutions: “May all beings experience happiness and good fortune.”
Bring to mind the animals in the air, on the ground, in the ground, in the oceans and rivers and streams. Their particular happiness and well-being. “May they be well-fed and treated with kindness. All beings. Whatever happiness or well-being. May it continue and grow.”
Sacred Text: Galatians 5:13-14 (from the Message)
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.
Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.
Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love,
that’s how freedom grows.
For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence:
Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.
