Sharon Saltzberg on Connection, Compassion and Loving Kindness

The Tibetan mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” — the mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion.

“As we go about our ordinary day it’s easy to overlook how vulnerable we all are to change. In some ways I think our society is built around the notion that if we accumulate enough, or get that one, special experience, relationship or object, it will serve as a totem against change.

It’s a powerful part of our conditioning, and it’s a shame, because recognising that vulnerability is one of the things that brings us closer and awakens compassion.

It’s not that we all have the same share of joys and sorrows…but we do share the reality that life is constantly changing, nothing static, nothing fixed. We all want to be happy, yet there can be so much confusion about where true happiness is to be found. Instead of finding it in denying change, we find it in the development of Lovingkindness and compassion.

Lovingkindness is the deep recognition that we live in an interconnected reality…our lives have something to do with one another. We may not like someone, or want to bring them home, but we can understand that everybody counts, everybody matters.

Compassion is the movement of the heart in recognizing our own or someone else’s vulnerability. We move towards that person, to see if we can be if help.

In day to day life that might look like simply recognising our own humanity, or the humanity of someone else.”

~ Sharon Saltzberg

NEPAL EARTHQUAKE APPEAL:

Although I don’t normally add appeals on Inspire Portal, having travelled to and volunteered in Nepal, it’s a cause that’s a little dear to my heart. If you can contribute, see the links below.

Over 5,000 people have been killed by the quake, and 3 million children are still in danger.

If you can help, click here: Unicef UK | For every child in danger | Until every child is safe.

After last week’s devastating and heart-breaking earthquake in Nepal, one of the kindest, most beautiful countries I’ve eve been blessed to see, adding this little appeal.

Over 5,000 people have been killed by the quake, and 3 million children are still in danger. If you can help, click here: Unicef UK | For every child in danger | Until every child is safe.

You can, donate to the Nepal aid appeals through UNICEF, Oxfam; ActionAid; British Red Cross, or call 0300 023 0816; Save The Children.

If you’re in the UK, and to donate, give to the Nepal aid appeals through UNICEF, text ‘NEPAL’ to 70123 to donate £5. (Texts cost £5 plus 1 standard rate SMS. Unicef receives 100% of your donation. To see terms, click here).

There’s also a US text donation: Text GIVE NEPAL to 80088 to donate $10 to Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund (message and data rates may apply).

Feel free to add any others from wherever you may be reading this, in the comments. Thank you. ♥

The image above is from the Unicef-supported centre in Kathmandu: Nepal – Unicef UK.

6 ways you can help the survivors of the ‪‎Nepal Earthquake

Nepal – Disaster Management & Emergency Relief – American Red Cross

Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund – GlobalGiving