“Only your compassion and your loving kindness are invincible, and without limit.”
Kindness: A Living Tribute
Much is spoken of kindness. There are campaigns designed to encourage kindness including the famous random acts of kindness. Kindness is touted as simple and easy. Most of us like to think of ourselves as kind people. And in general, I believe that we are, most of the time. While kindness is wonderful and important, it can be a superficial act. Smile at strangers, buy someone a coffee, help a friend with a task, or volunteer. The list of possible kind acts is endless. I think the bigger question is, are we kind in our private actions and thoughts? Including, our we kind in our thoughts towards ourselves?
If we are honest with ourselves (and hopefully we are), the answer for most of us is sometimes, not always.
Which is okay, actually this is wonderful. For any time that we act with kindness or Love, we make the World a better place. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, “The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.”
This also means that we have room for improvement and rather than large gestures, we can start by focusing on our internal thoughts and dialogue. You know the magic phrase, “As within, so without.” Our internal dialogue affects our outer World. And we can see that our World is in need of healing.
There is much focus lately on the amount of divisiveness in our interactions (at least in the US). I see this as well and it hurts my Heart. And yet, when I sit with the Plants, they encourage me to look again. They remind me that we see what we are looking for. If I am focused on the divisiveness this is what I will see and experience. And I can look at the situation from a different angle and see the many moments of connection and kindness that often go unnoticed.
That is not to say that there isn’t divisiveness, for there most definitely is. It is helpful to remember that divisiveness is financially lucrative to a small group of people. When we find ourselves wanting to dismiss or demonize someone, we can ask “Who is benefitting from this?” It certainly isn’t ourselves. Though we may feel a brief rush from thinking that we are better than someone. In reality, we harm ourselves and cause suffering. Divisiveness feeds the paradigm of separation.
The Plants remind us that we are all connected. We cannot harm or dismiss another person without causing harm to ourselves. When I am upset or frustrated, I turn to Nature. As I sit with the Plants, my energy calms, my body relaxes, and I am returned to my Heart. The Plants remind me that the way forward is with Love. They encourage me to choose Love in all my actions and words. They surround me with loving compassion teaching me how to love myself and others.
Engaging with Love requires action, this is not a passive choice. Which means that when I have a disagreement with someone, I need to consciously engage with compassion and curiosity. It is easy to think that we know all that there is to know about a subject, to attach a story to a particular belief or situation, or to demonize someone. But if we can engage in compassion and curiosity, we may discover that there is more for us to learn. What about this upsets me? Why does this person believe this? Where am I being challenged? As Ruby Sales says, “Where does it hurt?” Or perhaps, I need to get to know the person better. As I do, rather than push them away, I am drawn towards them. The more that I know about them, the harder it is to demonize. I may not agree with their beliefs or decisions, but usually I see these in a different light.
This does not mean that we allow abusive behavior. As Leah Penniman says, “One of the highest forms of love is accountability.” Sometimes in order to engage in Love, we need to point out the abusive behavior and hold each other (including ourselves) accountable for our actions without shaming. After all, there is trauma and pain under the abuse. Shame merely makes the situation worse. Thich Nhat Hanh says, “When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”
The more we engage with Love, compassion, and kindness especially during the difficult moments, the more we can feel ourselves transformed by our choices. Choosing Love has an alchemical reaction on us, helping to dislodge the parts of ourselves we prefer to hide or ignore, the parts we are ashamed of. We recognize that these too are responses to our wounds and traumas. We are being given an opportunity to heal and grow. According to Thich Nhat Hanh, “No one is more worthy of your kindness and compassion than you are.” He encourages us to ask our loved ones, “Please tell me how I can love you better.” I suggest that we also ask this of ourselves. How can I love myself better. When we are loving to ourselves, when our needs are being met, it becomes easier to choose Love and to respond with compassion towards others.
The beloved teacher and guide, Thich Nhat Hanh recently left his physical body. His teachings have touched the Hearts of many and continue on. Perhaps the best way that we can honor him is to choose true kindness every day, being mindful of our thoughts and inner dialogue. As he said, “A community practicing understanding and loving kindness may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the Earth.”
As always, if we are struggling, the Plants are willing to help us. Rose and Tulsi (Holy Basil) both excel at helping us increase compassion and live Heart-centered lives. If we find ourselves wanting to go on the attack or demonizing someone, White Pine can help us to calm, center, and realign with Peace. Beloved Redwood (pictured above) helps us remember our potential, that is the greatest potential for humanity, living a life of Love, connected to all Beings. When we are struggling, Redwood helps us to remember who we are and encourages us to realign with right action. Walking among the Redwood Trees, we realize that John Lennon’s song “Imagine” can be manifested on Earth, if we want this. Redwood helps to bring us back into the place of loving kindness, remembering that we are all connected, and feeling the enormous amount of Love that exists in this World.
These are just a few of the helpers guiding us towards a more Loving and kind World. If you are struggling, I encourage you to ask for help and then pay attention. For I can guarantee that you are surrounded by more Love and support than you can even imagine. The Plants know what we are capable of, Thich Nhat Hanh knew what we are capable of. If they can sense this, we can manifest it. We can create Heaven on Earth, this has already started.
May you always know that you are Love(d).
“A community practicing understanding and loving kindness may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the Earth.”
February 1st is Brigid’s Day or Imbolc, the half-way point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. We turn our focus towards Seeds on this day and contemplate what Seeds we want to plant this year (both physical and metaphorical). It is a good time to focus on the places where we are struggling and would like to bring a shift as well as the energies or projects that we would like to feed. Perhaps, we can collectively plant the Seeds of Love, compassion, and kindness.
Among many other attributes, Brigid is the Goddess of Peace and Unity. She encourages us to step into our potential, embrace Love, and remember that we thrive together. She is also the Goddess of the Flame, reminding us that even in the darkest days, there is Light and hope. Brigid helps to cultivate our inner flame, dreaming the possible into reality.