A good while back, I took several classes on meditation including a class on Centering Prayer. A friend sent me a video of an interview of the Dalai Lama who talked about meditating over four hours per day. Several of my readers are probably thinking, “I wish I had four hours every day to meditate.” But back to this thought. During the interview the Dalai Lama used the term “compassionate meditation.” This one was a new one for me so I did a little research.
Lots of us think of meditation as something we do for ourselves, but compassionate meditation is for others. We sit in the quiet freeing ourselves from thought or noises, and when we are relaxed, we begin to breathe in and out. Compassionate meditation involves breathing in the problems or concerns of a neighbor and then breathing out compassion for that neighbor. The Dalai Lama breathes in the world’s problems and breathes out compassion, but it was suggested that I merely take one minute of my morning’s meditation at first to engage in compassionate meditation. I tried it this morning, and found it to be more helpful than I could imagine.
If you are so inclined experiment with one minute of compassionate meditation during your regular routine. Let me know what you experience. Maybe our Sufi Guru, Tom, can give us a few tips as well. W.
Sounds like a really good idea, Webb. It’s a little like the “Elemental Breaths” that Casey & I both do in our meditations, although more specifically directed. I’ll try it.
Thanks Tom!