Train Your Brain To Develop Compassion As a Monk
Without compassion, we would be unable to feel empathy or forgiveness.
Understand Compassion
Compassion is the wish to relieve the suffering of another being.
This attitude of compassion is not just limited to humans. It extends to animals, plants, and objects in the environment.
When you feel compassion, you desire to help. This wish to ease the suffering of another has great power and is often very healing.
Without compassion, we would be unable to feel empathy or forgiveness.
How to cultivate compassion
If we want peace, we need to cultivate compassion.
How do we do this?
The easiest method to cultivate compassion in our hearts is to adhere to the “Four Brahmaviharas,” also known as the Four Immeasurables.
1. Metta (loving-kindness)
Wishing peace and happiness for yourself and the world.
2. Karuna (compassion)
Wishing the suffering to be relieved.
3. Mudita (sympathetic joy)
Rejoicing in the happiness of others.
4. Upekkha (equanimity)
A peaceful heart and mind, no matter what the circumstances.
How to practice the four immeasurables?
1. Metta:
Contemplate a specific person whom you love and for whom you wish happiness and peace.
Now, imagine that the words “May you be happy. May you be secure. May you be free from suffering. May you live in health” is spoken to that person.
Try to feel the feelings of love and happiness that you wish for this person.
Next, expand this practice to others. Choose beings based on the following:
- People you know who are ill and suffering
- People you know who require specific help — financial, medical, legal aid, etc.
- People you don’t know who is sick and suffering
- People you don’t know who is in need of specific help — financial, medical, legal help, etc.
2. Karuna:
Contemplate the suffering in the world. It may be general, such as war, poverty, violence, and discrimination, etc.
Whatever you choose, bring compassion to the suffering you experience as you learn of it. You may feel anger, fear, grief, or helplessness as you do so.
If you do, observe these emotions and consider how your own pain is connected to the greater pain that others are experiencing.
3. Mudita:
Rejoice in the happiness of others.
This may be difficult if you are not used to it. Find antidotes to jealous or envious by bringing joy and happiness to the good fortune of others.
4. Upekkha:
Contemplate the acceptance of things as they are. Things are not always going to go the way that you want them to.
Sometimes you will be disappointed and unhappy. Sometimes, you will be in pain. Sometimes you will be in a difficult situation that is beyond your control.
Acknowledging these facts without resistance is one of the secrets to a happy and peaceful life.
Takeaways
Here are few take away for this story:
- Developing the four brahmaviharas It is a method of cultivating compassion in our own hearts and extending that love to other creatures.
- By practicing them, your ability to love and forgive others increases. So, to bring peace to a family, community or a nation, you need compassion first.
- Compassion allows you to see the interconnectedness of all life. It helps you to diminish the separation between yourself and others.
If you enjoyed my story, you might also like to read articles by these writers:
- Soupstik : How to start practicing “Stoicism?”
- Angie Mangino : Is Nature Calling You to Grow?
- Mia Verita : Life on Fire
- Shubha Apte : Navigating Life’s Emotional Landscape.
- Akemi Sagawa : Burning Fire, Like Burning Love
- Cristina Cattai : Endless Emotions Because We Are Humans
- Caroline de Braganza : The Dilemma of Choosing a Favorite Season Leaves Me No Choice
