It's Time For A Compassionate Revolution

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. ~Martin Luther King

If we genuinely want to end terrorism, if we genuinely want to bring real and peaceful change to the world, then there is only one place where we can begin. We must stop the war within ourselves. We have to open our hearts to ourselves and to all others, equally, for there will never be peace if we are not at peace with ourselves.

We have a photograph at home of Bishop Tutu with his hands held in prayer position. Underneath it are his words, Please make it fashionable to be compassionate. That photograph is many years old yet his words are even more relevant today. Is it not time to make compassion fashionable, to make kindness cool, to make consideration and care hot topics?

We can do this and we have to. We've already proven that war does not work, that fighting and killing in the name of religion, to wipe out an enemy, or to claim control never has a happy ending, always there is suffering and anguish and continued pain. The dualistic belief that there is an 'us' and 'them' causes an endless no-win situation, blanketing our minds with ignorance.

We have come so far in our development but now we have to add to the technological wonders we are capable of by including the qualities of the heart, the one piece that is missing. There is enough suffering in the world already. It is time for a revolution that brings alive fearlessness, courage, compassion and love so we can break through the differences that separate us and cause so much loneliness and fear.

A revolution is a re-evolution, it is the willingness to take a higher step in the evolution of consciousness. It is also a revolving, a turning around of ourselves in response to an inner calling. In this case it is the turning from selfishness, self-survival and closed heartedness to openheartedness, sharing and tenderness. It is a shift in emphasis. From being consumed with our fears, doubts, insecurities and dramas, our greatest joy comes from caring for each other.

Anytime Kindness
Whenever we get stressed we tend to close our hearts toward others. We get a couldn't care less attitude--nothing matters but our own little world. By developing a more loving and caring attitude, we will find more joy and certainly less stress.

Every time you feel rushed, irritated, annoyed or upset, sit quietly and silently repeat: May I be happy or May I be filled with loving kindness.

If you can do that for a day then the next day silently say May you be well or May you be happy to each person you see or meet. It is important not to tell them--just feel it in your heart. You can do this to people in an elevator, at work, in the street or at home.

Silently repeat May you be filled with loving kindness when your partner or boss is upset or angry with you, or when someone is criticizing you. The more you do this, the more you release the hook inside yourself so that anger cannot land.

If a day feels easy, try a whole week. Let friendliness and kindness grow within you. Make it your goal to become a more loving and kinder person.

****
Ed and Deb are authors, workshop leaders and corporate consultants. See more at: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

Comments

[livinlife]

Compassion is missing. Ipods close the mind. Stick it in your ear and tune out. No more human interaction or shared compassion.

Thank you Debbie. I hope more people read this.

[allwrite]

The failure of mankind to commit to dispute resolution without conflict will be nuclear holocaust.

As things now stand, the question is when, not if.

[bdaved]

People don't always recognize how practical good spiritual advice can be.
It helps me to remember that you can't get rid of your unhappiness by giving it to somebody else.

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Well said. I will remember th way you put it and share it with others in our workshops. Thanks bdaved

[lighthearted1]

Being the peace we want to see in the world is the challenge. Declaring peace within is a beginning, the unfolding of which opens us to our true nature, which is Peace. So the practice of compassion is a very good one, but while someone is being a good person, they are still being a person. That is the illusion of consciousness we are evolving out of, that this craziness all over the world is calling us to --urgently. The realization of Peace within requires a lot of us, a lot of letting go of the illusory sense of our personhood in separation. There is nothing to it. Realizing that is freedom. May we all be free and be Peace.

[jugganaut]

Hey, I'm with you, but let's be honest with ourselves and face the truth.

As long as there are "haves" and "have nots"-which there always will be-there's always going to be aggression, violence and retaliation. When you have a culture that at the very least tolerates greed, you're going to have envy. And envy breeds distrust and aggression.

As Joseph Fiennes' political officer character said in Enemy at the Gates, "we tried to create a society in which everyone was equal, so there would be no envy, no jealousy. But there are always going to be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts...rich in love, poor in love."

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

For me the Truth is that we can open our hearts even more. See the good in others. It's easy to see the faults. Let us open our hearts to all beings.

It is ignorance that causes suffering.The ignorance of our essential oneness. Aggression, violence and retaliation is ignorance. We are all interconnected. We breathe the same air and share this amazing planet. Be the change that we so lovingly need. raise above these negative emotions. We can do it.

[yoyo22]

Deb and Ed have done it again I cant wait to to use this exercise in my daily life .Thank you again .I look forward to next Thursday's column.

[namste]

I really like this article and would like to see more of these people on the daily blogs. Thank you.

[AndiG]

Hi Ed & Deb...yet another wonderful blog to inspire us with loving kindness and compassion. I have a bumper sticker on my car that says "practice random acts of kindness..."I feel like everytime I stop at a stoplight, perhaps one of my fellow humans will get inspired too! Thanks for a great blog...keep 'em coming!

[soundheals]

Great writing this week. Really important stuff. Quick story--years ago I was presenting a workshop and one of the participants wanted to receive a mantra to protect her from negavity. I replied that this wasn't my work nor my perception of how how to approach the concept of negativity. The workshop continued on and the entire group then proceeded to chant a mantra for embodying compassion. It was very powerful for everyone. This woman went home and returned the next day for the continuation of the week-end workshop. That morning, she related the story about how when she was driving home the night before, there was a car nearby that was terrifying her--driving really erratically. She thought the driver was either intoxicated or simply very angry. Instead of going into a place of fear, she began to chant the mantra of compassion, generating the energy of compassion at the car near her. Soon, the driving became less erratic and then it became normal. I told this woman I thought this was really excellent--a powerful approach to the situation, I suggested it was a great example of how important it was for us to generate compassion in situations such as she encountered rather than fear. Thanks again for your wonderful writing on such an important topic.

[rebelangel]

As we are faced with the impending collapse of industrial capitalism as we have known it in our lifetime. This must become a way in which we respond to, not react to, the events in our lives--by
incorporating this and other spiritual practice into our daily awareness, we will start to awaken to
self realization and begin to "see " that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience--we are now moving towards the light and on the pathway to true joy--love and service!

[krcok]

What a lovely, timely blog. There is no way one can build true happiness on another person's pain and suffering. That goes for countries as well. Thank you Ed and Deb for your insightful inspiration. We love your blogs.

[ken108]

Viva la re-evolution!

[Thisok]

Ed, beautifully stated as always. Being an American living in Asia i am unsure whether the election news is quite the same as in US but from here the McCain-Palin camp are perceived as negative, war-mongering 'more of the W years' folks. Are you better off now than 8 years ago when Clinton left office? Evidently McCain-Palin do not know the Law of Attraction as the more hate they generate the more hate they attract and their camp becomes just what was seen in the debate with the "that one" comment. We, as a people, have tried war for many, many years fighting religions, colours, genders, classes, etc. with no success whatsoever. As is taught in the 'A Course in Miracles' it is through forgiveness that we become happy, not through killings and war.

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for your wisdom from Asia. That is a great point and i agree. Positive attracts positive. When you are at peace with yourself you could never create suffering.

If you can't win on your merit then you have a weak case. When you have nothing positive to contribute you attack. Behind every bully is a frightened, weak and sad individual. That is why compassion is so vital. Let us open our hearts to all people. May we all have compassion for all beings. Happiness is our birthright.

[JacquiDB]

How timely. You've nailed it on the head, as usual!

[JacquiDB]

How timely! This hits the nail on the head, as usual.

[yoginilizzi]

thanks for the bipartisan plug for compassion - perhaps the dems and reps can agree this is what the world needs more of....