Just Bear Witness

Due to ongoing neurological proclivity, self-concern can quickly set in and our mind can start wandering everywhere. As a result, our body-mind becomes contracted at such a subtle level that this naturally spacious moment can easily escape our awareness. Self-concern is the most basic pattern of our ego-centered consciousness.

Sojong Reminder from Anam Thubten

Dear Dharma Friends,

When the alarm clock goes off and we wake to the morning sunshine, it’s a poignant time of day to take a few moments to allow ourselves to feel the joy of breathing, of simply being alive, and to muse over the wonders of existence. It can also be a time to set our intentions for the day according to our highest ideals and principles. Due to ongoing neurological proclivity, self-concern can quickly set in and our mind can start wandering everywhere. As a result, our body-mind becomes contracted at such a subtle level that this naturally spacious moment can easily escape our awareness. Self-concern is the most basic pattern of our ego-centered consciousness. Perhaps compassion - which counters that narrow focus on ourselves - is the best way to find release from contraction.

Compassion is natural to all human beings even if it is hidden sometimes. It is not merely a religious impulse. If compassion is lacking in a person, it is sometimes just buried by unfortunate circumstances like trauma or hardship in their upbringing or conditioning that trained their mind to be competitive, ambitious, or to divide people. There are thousands of ways our heart can be shielded and buried under such psychological shadows. But whenever compassion arises in us, we feel that it is just so right and natural. We wish to have more of it in our life. This is why we have to open ourselves to practices and techniques that train us to develop more compassion. They will bring more joy to our life and simultaneously change the world around us for the better.

When someone close to us is suffering, our heart usually opens and naturally recognizes what that person is going through. In Buddhism, compassion is the genuine feeling that we want others to be free from suffering. According to that definition, one has to first recognize the suffering of others in order to generate the aspiration for them to be free from it. Researchers have discovered the difference between compassion and empathy and the impact that it has on us. Empathy is not only the recognition of others suffering, but also a complete identification with their suffering. When just practicing empathy, we can begin to feel hopeless, desperate, or unhappy which is not of much help. However, compassion is the simple recognition of what others are going through. With compassion, we can stay energetically grounded in the center of our being and confer strength as well as the ability to respond to the situation.

On my recent trip to Asia, I saw a beautiful image of Kuan Yin in front of a water feature. The statue was very serene and devoid of any sign of stress or unhappiness. Somebody said that she was looking down on the sea of suffering in the world. Perhaps my response seemed a bit casual when I exclaimed, “she seems very cool”. The image of Avalokiteshvara or Kuan Yin teaches us to bear witness without losing one’s center. At least once a day, it is important for us to practice bearing witness to the suffering of others. We can think of someone who is struggling or about people in the world who were brought to our attention by news of their misfortune. Then we can generate a compassionate mind and wish them to be free from suffering. Each time we do our compassion practice, it is important to ground ourselves in the center of our being and not to be carried away by the emotional pain. We become serene like that Kuan Yin.

The month’s Sojong is right around the corner. This time, I invite everybody to contemplate this reminder and to practice compassion in the ground of serenity. Keep this in your daily practice from now on. Sojong is a wonderful time to renew our commitment to the path of awakening. May our hearts continue to blossom like that thousand-petaled flower whose fragrance travels to infinity.

With palms joined,

Anam Thubten