18 Nov Basic goodness is the ground out of which compassion arises
It is said that every one of us has a tender heart. As tough as we try to be there’s always a slit in the armor where our heart can be affected.
The more we practice the simple practices of being present, the more we recognize our basic goodness and allow ourselves to rest in it. We begin to remember that even though we make mistakes, do it wrong, screw it up… at the root of our being we are trying to do our best. That’s what self-compassion opens.
We practice seeing the best in ourselves, in our intentions, in our daily life.
This provides some inner relief from the negative loops we have been caught in for so long.
With that relief, we have room to recognize our patterns. See how they’re connected to any unmet needs. And our heart eases in the connection.
In some ways, this is where the practice begins, over and over, in the willingness to turn toward ourselves with goodness softening our hearts to self-love and then ultimately love and compassion toward others.
Along the way we encounter and practice releasing our need to expect something in return for loving anyone, or anything.
Sometimes, something odd happens — we are the recipients. As we practice generosity, sharing kindness, goodness, compassion, as we give freely something amazing happens — we are united in that same field, no longer alone, connected in compassion, surrounded by generosity and goodness.
Instead of being wrapped up in our own perspective, in our own pain, despair, frustration, and upset, we recognize the protest as it is, calling us instead toward something else, where life might possibly be about contributing our goodness to others, to the world.
In that simple recognition, the world becomes less “me” focused, encouraging us to co-create a world as a better place for all.