Comments on: The Magic of Compassion http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/ Practical inspiration. For a happier life Wed, 16 May 2012 19:20:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Trent M. http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-6241 Trent M. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:31:34 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-6241 Fantastic article. I’m always more than opening to strengthen my compassion. Not only to others but myself. The specific meditation practice known as Tonglen seems very interesting. Friendship is probably the most important treasure I seek and guard in life. Though I’m always open talking to a friend, I’m not exactly able to rid them of everything because some of them aren’t willing enough to work themselves at it or they’re stuck in a situation that they can’t do anything about, and as much as I’d like to, I can’t do anything about. Also, I’m one of those people who “embrace” a loved one’s problem(s). I bring their burden upon myself. While that may be a good thing in many ways, I think I may go too far with it. Not only that, but I have MANY problems of my own as it is, and this only causes more stress. The method of Tonglen really appeals to me in the sense that I can relax myself and take my focus off of my own problems. And also send positive waves and energy to my friends or family who need it. Fantastic article. I’m always more than opening to strengthen my compassion. Not only to others but myself.
The specific meditation practice known as Tonglen seems very interesting.
Friendship is probably the most important treasure I seek and guard in life. Though I’m always open talking to a friend, I’m not exactly able to rid them of everything because some of them aren’t willing enough to work themselves at it or they’re stuck in a situation that they can’t do anything about, and as much as I’d like to, I can’t do anything about.
Also, I’m one of those people who “embrace” a loved one’s problem(s). I bring their burden upon myself. While that may be a good thing in many ways, I think I may go too far with it. Not only that, but I have MANY problems of my own as it is, and this only causes more stress.
The method of Tonglen really appeals to me in the sense that I can relax myself and take my focus off of my own problems. And also send positive waves and energy to my friends or family who need it.

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-341 Mary Jaksch Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:28:23 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-341 @ Tibi It's interesting to read about your method of 'walking it off'. It has always seemed to me that walking is a way of integrating what is difficult. I'm not sure why that is, but I notice that when I walk I seem to get a new and wider perspective on dilemmas that may be troubling me. Talking helps too. But not everyone feels comfortable doing that. PS: For those amongst you who are bloggers: Have look at Tibi's exellent site '<a href="http://www.lostartofblogging.com/" rel="nofollow">The Lost Art of Blogging</a>' @ Tibi
It’s interesting to read about your method of ‘walking it off’. It has always seemed to me that walking is a way of integrating what is difficult. I’m not sure why that is, but I notice that when I walk I seem to get a new and wider perspective on dilemmas that may be troubling me. Talking helps too. But not everyone feels comfortable doing that.
PS: For those amongst you who are bloggers: Have look at Tibi’s exellent site ‘The Lost Art of Blogging‘

]]> By: Tibi Puiu http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-340 Tibi Puiu Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:56:13 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-340 When I'm feeling troubled inside I prefer to "walk it out" and keep it all inside off me. I'm more of a loner and don't like talking to people about my problems, I don't get any comfort, but I don't mind at all listening to other people's troubles and giving them council. I know it's not healthy, but I'd rather battle my demons alone. Great article :P When I’m feeling troubled inside I prefer to “walk it out” and keep it all inside off me. I’m more of a loner and don’t like talking to people about my problems, I don’t get any comfort, but I don’t mind at all listening to other people’s troubles and giving them council. I know it’s not healthy, but I’d rather battle my demons alone. Great article :P

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-339 Mary Jaksch Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:07:51 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-339 @ Mrs. Micah I think we often take those we love the most for granted. We know they won't run away or turn their backs on us if we are horrible to them for a moment. It's good to remind ourselves that we need to repair our behaviour glitches. @ Mrs. Micah
I think we often take those we love the most for granted. We know they won’t run away or turn their backs on us if we are horrible to them for a moment. It’s good to remind ourselves that we need to repair our behaviour glitches.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-338 Mrs. Micah Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:46:08 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-338 It surprises me sometimes how cold I can be towards those I love. Fortunately, I often also know how best to help them (in recurring situations, anyway). For example, I know a few things that will bring my husband back to his happier state---making him tea or giving a backrub. :) It surprises me sometimes how cold I can be towards those I love. Fortunately, I often also know how best to help them (in recurring situations, anyway). For example, I know a few things that will bring my husband back to his happier state—making him tea or giving a backrub. :)

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-337 Mary Jaksch Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:22:45 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-337 @ AmazingMess What a lovely question, 'What is breath?' The ancient Greeks called it 'pneuma', which means spirit as well as breath. The Roman word for both breath and spirit is 'spiritus'. The word 'inspiration' derives from the Roman word 'ispiratio' - 'to breath life into' Most major meditation techniques use breath as a treasured pathway. When we are born, we take our first breath. Our death is marked by the last outbreath. Each single breath is like the full life cycle: we are born and we die. What is breath? It is a mystery. @ AmazingMess
What a lovely question, ‘What is breath?’

The ancient Greeks called it ‘pneuma’, which means spirit as well as breath.
The Roman word for both breath and spirit is ‘spiritus’.
The word ‘inspiration’ derives from the Roman word ‘ispiratio’ – ‘to breath life into’

Most major meditation techniques use breath as a treasured pathway.

When we are born, we take our first breath. Our death is marked by the last outbreath.
Each single breath is like the full life cycle: we are born and we die.

What is breath?
It is a mystery.

]]> By: Mary Jaksch http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-336 Mary Jaksch Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:56:38 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-336 @ Mete Yes, I agree, Mete - focusing on the suffering of other's does help to make our own anguish more bearable. Maybe it's something to do with opening one's focus. I think that when our focus is narrow and centres on 'me, mine, myself', our suffering is heightened. As soon as we widen our attention to others and even the whole world, magic happens. I call this widening and opening 'wisdom'. @ Mete
Yes, I agree, Mete – focusing on the suffering of other’s does help to make our own anguish more bearable. Maybe it’s something to do with opening one’s focus. I think that when our focus is narrow and centres on ‘me, mine, myself’, our suffering is heightened. As soon as we widen our attention to others and even the whole world, magic happens. I call this widening and opening ‘wisdom’.

]]> By: AmazingMess http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-335 AmazingMess Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:23:03 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-335 All this makes me really wonder, what is breath? All this makes me really wonder, what is breath?

]]> By: Mete http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-334 Mete Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:09:54 +0000 http://goodlifezen.com/2008/03/22/the-magic-of-compassion/#comment-334 I remember a time of fairly long-lasting mental anguish some years ago... I tried many things to overcome that pain, avoiding it, reasoning with it, facing it, holding my breath and counting backwards in French... but I found that one of the most effective ways of reducing the unhappiness and anxiety I was feeling from that situation was when I focused my attention on somebody elses suffering, on solving somebody elses problem or offering an ear to their woes. Then life became a lot less frustrating and scary. Strange eh! I remember a time of fairly long-lasting mental anguish some years ago… I tried many things to overcome that pain, avoiding it, reasoning with it, facing it, holding my breath and counting backwards in French… but I found that one of the most effective ways of reducing the unhappiness and anxiety I was feeling from that situation was when I focused my attention on somebody elses suffering, on solving somebody elses problem or offering an ear to their woes. Then life became a lot less frustrating and scary. Strange eh!

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