COMPASSION: River of Light

Stories of Jesus are about showing compassion by demonstration  awareness of the needs and feelings of others–friends and strangers alike….(and I would add the shadow parts of ourselves which we reject…)

Jesus did not turn away from any social outcasts; he  welcomed them in, healed them, and shared meals with them.  His compassion fed multitudes…it still does.

Those stories can also be about our inner struggles…do you turn away from your shadow social outcasts?  Those part of your that need some help?  That are experiencing illness? Or do you want to slap them into compliance when they need some extra rest.  All your life your body has been waging a campaign of love…and health for you.

"“Ring the bells that still can ring
    Forget your perfect offering
    There is a crack in everything
    That's how the light gets in.
    That's how the light gets in.

    The birds they sang
    at the break of day
    Start again
    I heard them say
    Don't dwell on what
    has passed away
    or what is yet to be.
    
    Ah the wars they will
    be fought again
    The holy dove
    She will be caught again
    bought and sold
    and bought again
    the dove is never free.
       – Anthem by Leonard Cohen

A Love Story for All our Orphan Parts...

No. 31- One Story – Human beings are powered by stories – a love story
There is a war.  It is the war we wage each day…Love vs. fear.
 It's the war of caring for ourselves and our loved ones…and the world.

Ah the wars they will
    be fought again
    The holy dove
    She will be caught again
    bought and sold
    and bought again
    the dove is never free."
–Leonard Cohen

“In the trenches the more love I have, the less fear I can hold. Thich Nhat Hanh likens the human heart to an immense river. If we have enough flow of love, little bothers us and little pollutes us. He speaks the most important question, how do we help our hearts to grow in capacity (and flow) like a river?

How do we hold more love & stop the leaks?”

“The birds they sang
    at the break of day
    Start again
    I heard them say
    Don't dwell on what
    has passed away
    or what is yet to be.”

–Leonard Cohen

“I have noticed my own leaks—that comfort for dwelling in the dramatic nuances of my righteous wounding or resentments where I blame others for outcomes. (you know…the ones where I am right and they are wrong.) Yet, when I have enough love and compassion, I can overlook anything. It’s an inner balance. Remember when you were “in love”, did it matter where they left their dirty socks? Or any other nit picky thing?

It’s our human story. Long or short, every human lifetime seems to be just one story. It’s a love story.”

How much love will you welcome into your life today?  Enough to overflow and bless others…how about the world?

Start Again.

Welcome the cracks. Be the light.
Dive into the River
Stay open.

    “Ring the bells that still can ring
    Forget your perfect offering
    There is a crack in everything
    That's how the light gets in.
    That's how the light gets in.”
–Leonard Cohen


Ending Prayer:
May all that you say
and all that you do
be in harmony with thee.
God within me…
God beyond me …
MAKER OF THE TREES.

 - Chinook Liturgy,
a Pacific Northwest Native American Tribe

ATTRIBUTIONS:
1)    Daily Word - Compassion - Aug 2, 2020
2)    Anthem by Leonard Cohen
3)    My book the ending Rule no. 31 …and the most important one…it is the rule my next book will start with.– No. 31- One Story – Human beings are powered by stories – a love story- The Hospice Chaplain's Field Guide to Caregiving–Finding Resilience on the Front Lines of Love.

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THANK YOU:
1) My thanks to Mary Oliver for her line from THE SUMMER DAY– "my one wild and precious life"
2) MY thanks to  SF unity for the invitation to practice as my highest self.   I invite you to do that today.  We need your voice.   

Blessings….on your day.