Daily Compass

“It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion” -The Charter for Compassion

How can you affirm the humanity of another today?

“Never forget, a teacher of mine once said, that every Sunday morning when you rise to preach, someone in that congregation has just suffered the broken heart that they will spend a lifetime trying to mend. Never forget that someone in that congregation has just found a way through some great desolation. Never forget that someone in that congregation is here for the first time, wondering if this will be cared for. And somewhere in that congregation there is someone grappling with a choice that will remake their life.” -Nancy McDonald Ladd, from After the Good News

How do you cultivate an awareness of the needs of others around you?

Sit with the recognition that for many folks in your midst, the grief and pain of our world has been a permanent way of life. Sit with that recognition in order to cultivate empathy for others—an ability to see the suffering of another and spur us to the internal reflection needed for us to change.

What are events in your life that have prompted you to engage in empathy?

The first noble truth of Buddhism is that suffering is part of human existence.  Physical suffering, mental suffering, spiritual suffering.  We all ache in some way.  And we need to recognize that ache and tend to it.

How can you acknowledge your own suffering without being overwhelmed by it?

We  all have flaws.  We have shadows.  Even the best among us has imperfections that come right along with our best qualities. We react, we overreact, we ignore. I lose my temper and patience—sometimes just when anger and impatience are needed, and sometimes at the most inopportune times.  And that’s just one on the very long list of the things that are wrong with me. We are all cracked vessels. The treasure of our being is stored in earthen jars. And since all of us are imperfect, we have to be gentle with ourselves. -Rev. Michael Tino (CLF)

How can you be gentle with yourself today?