Simplicity, Patience And Compassion: The Three Treasures
According to Eastern tradition there are three treasures on the pathway to enlightenment: simplicity, patience and compassion. At first glance, such simple ideas. Yet after contemplation one easily recognizes: it?s these basic thoughts, when woven into our day, that can lead each of us to a contemplative, peaceful and more fulfilling life.
In this short article then, I invite you to take a page from Eastern religion: explore the three treasures and become aware of your relationship to them.
Simplicity
The first treasure: simplicity. Simplicity in thought and action. According to author Thomas Cleary in his translation of Taoist Meditation, simplicity leads the seeker on the Way. Simplicity of thought, he tells us, can often be brought about by silence. And in the silence, we gain personal wisdom. If finding 10 or 20 minutes each day to rest quietly or meditate could bring you closer to peace, would you be more conscientious in devoting this time?
Simplicity of action, however, feels a greater challenge. It involves priorities and discovering what is truly important. Here?s how I personally handle this: When I feel overwhelmed by my ?to-do list? I create a game by challenging myself to let go of everything I can do without. Then, I remove as many things as I can from my list. What I am left with are those items of greatest importance. I devote as much time necessary to completing each task with joy and precision.
Try it now. What can you remove from the task list today that could bring you closer to simplifying your life? What will you place your attention on?
Patience
Treasure number two: patience. Yes, the virtue. And just like simplicity, it is also a challenge to move slowly through tasks until they have been completed or to remain calm when dealing with someone outrageous. I?ve found that we are often mirror images of others and attract to us parts of ourselves. This is important to note as it could manifest positive or negative events, depending on mindset. In this light, Inalya Vanzant reminds us to keep thoughts pure. She tells us to remind ourselves: "I will gain more understanding when I realize... how I interpret what comes at me is a reflection of what is in me." When faced with a situation requiring patience ask yourself: Am I casting a positive image?
In this framework, more of my favorite wisdom comes from author Richard Carlson in his new book: Easier Than You Think. In it he explains, when we are with someone, we should make every effort to pay expert attention to that person. This engages them and often can diffuse a stressful situation by simply making them feel important. With this in mind, the next time you engage in conversation or even a casual chat with someone: ask yourself if you are creating a role model's image.
Compassion
Compassion, the third treasure. I often liken it to empathy. Although we cannot always know directly what it is like to be another, we can value everyone?s need to be heard. Conflict or anger is often a cry for help. We simply need to be aware of our circumstances in effort to create compassion in our lives. We will be called to help others as we become more enlightened vessels of peace. Events will come to us as a reflection of what we need to heal in ourselves.
Thomas Cleary reminds us we should always act in sincerity. In Taoist Meditation he writes: ?to choose what is good and hold onto it firmly is a matter of sincerity.? Compassion, as well, challenges us to define what is most important to us; a reoccurring theme throughout the three treasures. To me, this involves being awake and aware in our lives to see the ways in which we are available to give sincerity and service.
Today, be aware of the ways spirit is working through you. Remember: You are the vessel of peace for others and the world. I believe, the more we become vulnerable to trust and open ourselves to sincerity, the more we can allow compassionate behavior into our lives and become enlightened each and every day.
In Conclusion:
It is my wish these positive ideas enhance your life and bring you peace. Be conscious every day of the messages you are receiving, the people you meet, your experiences. It is amazing the way these simple ideas can enrich your life exponentially. Go forth then, and be aware. Place your attention on the three treasures: in the darkness they will bring you light.
Laura M. Turner is a 15-year veteran fitness instructor, fitness trainer and natural health practitioner. She hosts http://www.body-and-beauty.com a website dedicated to inspiring and educating others about the benefits of creativity, natural health and fitness. Check out Laura's latest book Spiritual Fitness: The 7-Steps to Living Well or subscribe FREE to her online magazine The New Body News and Wellness Letter: http://www.new-body-news.com
Is Your Tongue Controlled?
People differ from one another in almost every possible respect. Where speaking is concerned, some have a relatively tight tongue, in the sense that they do not easily speak out against something in a critical or wounding way when a thing is done or said to them. Other have a loose tongue in the sense that they are inclined to lash out with it at the least provocation. Others may occupy any position along the continuum. At The Extremes In both these extreme cases, and for any one tending towards them, the tongue is uncontrolled. In the one case, people may fail to speak when they ought. This could be taken for self control when it is in fact a spiritual or character weakness. The emotions are not under control and a consequence may well be that they fasten inside themselves feelings which do the same for their spirituality as water does for iron. They are not progressing in these matters and, in fact, their spiritual base is being eroded away. People with a loose tongue are similarly injuring themselves, and may also be inflicting damage on others (and whether the others warrant it or not is God’s business, not our, and he can actually be left to deal with it in both a just and compassionate manner �" which is quite beyond our capabilities). On balance, although tight-tongued people may cause injury to others by not speaking out when they should, loose-tongued people probably cause considerably more damage by their unconsidered outspokenness. Because I am hurt, I then inflict hurt on someone else (perhaps not even on the person who is responsible for injuring me!). If they respond in like manner, I am hurt again, or someone else is hurt because of my initial reaction �" and are perhaps hurt again when I respond to their reaction! A very serious form of loose-tonguedness is tittle-tattling behind the backs of other people: complaining about them, criticising them, undermining their reputations, and so forth. This is not acceptable conduct for any Christian in respect of any other person, and certainly not in respect of fellow Christians. Probably nothing undermines the sense and reality of fellowship and community more effectively. Even when the targeted person is not aware of it, it breeds, with great effectiveness, a destructive atmosphere of unlove and mistrust. It cannot do any other, because that is the nature of what is being done! Why do people do it? Because they think this other person has hurt them? injured them? neglected them? insulted them? used them? All these things can be very difficult for us to handle, but we must find other ways of dealing with them, for these are very serious sins. Do we want others to be talking like this about us? Jesus told us: Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6. 31, NIV) even if you feel unloved by them, because If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. (Luke 6:31-32, NIV ) This kind of loose-tonguedness not only destroys what should be the essence of a Christian atmosphere, and not only ruins the reputations of other people, it most effectively destroys us more than them. It involves considerable personal risk since ... in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:2, NIV ) The passing sense of satisfaction is hardly worth the consequence..
AUTHOR: Anthony Keith Whitehead WEB SITE: http://www.christianword.co.uk This article is copyright but may be reproduced providing that all this information is included Over twenty-five years in Christian healing teaching writing ministries. Wide range of secular employments before being called by the Lord into full time independent ministry in 1987. With his wife Iris he has ministered both in the UK and USA. Has written several books on healing meditation and various aspects of spirituality. Formal qualifications include: B.A. M.Phil. Cambridge University Certificate in Religious Studies. Post Grad Cert. in Education.
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