maitri-karuna-mudita-upekshanam such-dukkha-punya-apunya-visharyanam bhavanatash-citta-prasadanam
The projection of friendliness, compassion, gladness, and equanimity towards objects – be they joyful, sorrowful, meritorious, or demeritorious – bring about the pacification of consciousness.
–Yoga Sutra 1:33
Yoga is, traditionally, a solitary practice. Our time on a mat provides great potential for transformation, for awakening, and for growth. Sure, we know how to breathe and center while in a balance pose. Holding chair pose for several breaths is tough, but we know how to soften around the challenge. And we learn to settle our racing minds during meditation. But, often, it is our time between yoga sessions that test the strength of our practice. It is when we are interacting with the world, from strangers on TV to our most intimate relationships, that we can truly examine ourselves as yogis.
According to Patanjali, cultivating compassion is part of the journey toward the “pacification of consciousness”. It’s hard to find calm if you don’t also seek compassion – for yourself, for others, and for all beings in the universe. And Patanjali is hardly alone in his direction to live with compassion. According to 1 John 3:23, Jesus says, “Love one another”. The Dalai Lama is regarded as a reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. In Japan, this Buddha is named Kannon, translated to “she who hears the cries of the world”.
Shouldn’t we all be hearing “the cries of the world” right now? The word compassion is from the Latin prefix com- and the Latin word pati. Put them together and compassion means “to suffer with”. We have been mandated to express compassion to, and share in the suffering of, everyone, all the time. And, according to Patanjali, in doing so we will be purified and rest in the “pacification of consciousness”.
We invite you to take some time this week and practice cultivating compassion.
- Strengthen your compassion “muscles” by writing down all the ways you behaved compassionately each evening before bed.
- Notice how often during the day you judge yourself. When a judgmental thought pops up, purposefully replace it with a compassionate thought (like “I’m doing my best right now”).
- Show compassion to your colleagues, family, and fellow students by keeping their health, safety, and mental well-being in mind.
Actively practicing compassion isn’t easy. You may feel like you are giving up some comfort or happiness. It may feel like what you are doing is an unfair burden. Do it anyway. Share in the suffering of others so we can all grow together. Love one another by keeping each other safe. Hear the cries and respond with compassion.
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