be more compassionate

I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.

Go somewhere public, like a park or the grocery store, whatever. Everyone you see, focus on the idea that like you all of them want happiness and to avoid suffering. Then wish that peace and happiness on each one. Even if you immediately feel aversion to them for some reason, bless them with peace. Picture yourself relieving them of all of their sufferings.
Puts me in a very compassionate and calm mood for the day. Perhaps then I am ready to deal with the people who I KNOW. Sometimes it’s harder to have compassion for them. We already have ideas about whether or not they are worthy of happiness. We’re jealous of some of them , resentful of some, disgusted by others. But strangers- we have no pre-concieved ideas about. So it’s good to start there, and then work up to familiar people.

the work of bringing benefit to beings
will not then, make me proud and self-admiring
the happiness of others is itself my satisfaction
I do not expect another recompense

Just as hands and other limbs
are thought of as members of a body
can we likewise not consider others
as the limbs and members of a living whole?

since I and other beings both
in fleeing suffering are equal and alike,
what difference is there to distinguish us
that I should save myself and not others?

all the good works gathered in a thousand ages,
such as deeds of generosity,
and offerings to the Blissful Ones-
a single flash of anger shatters them

to rip out the old lady’s throat with my teeth. She was taking for EVER in the checkout line! “Oh, can we open up this box, before I buy it and make sure it’s not broken?” “Oh, this item WASN’T on sale?” “Well, I’ll put that back.” Look lady all I want is a newspaper for Christ’s sake! But I didn’t say it. I took a deep breath, and tried to remember that this woman was offering me a chance to practice patience. Damn patience!(shaking fist in air)

Trying to be compassionate to all, but there are people (who shall remain nameless) that I really want to just tell to go the hell away. Ugh. I must say though, there is a fine line between doing for others out of kindness and letting them walk all over you. Need to find the balance.

No, not the hokey pokey, buddhism. Well… come to think of it, any religion has compassion as a building block for spiritual development. Recognizing the divine in all sentient beings is a lofty goal. One that must be practiced constantly. This breeds a certain humility, and respect for life. Your compassion for others in turn leads them to feel more empathy towards you. Thus creating more happiness.