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.

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

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[JustifiablyParanoid]

While I fully agree with your message here, and do my best -- no matter how many times I fail, I pick myself up and try again -- to be the best person I can be, I find it difficult almost to the point of absurdity to ask myself to wish loving kindness onto certain people out there who go out of their way to be unpleasant.

It's one thing to try and be a kind, compassionate person overall, which I strive for in my life. It's quite another to wish love and compassion in my mind toward someone who cuts me off to an inch within my life on the highway, and then has the nerve to throw out an obscene hand gesture after I dared to honk at this shameless display of recklessness.

Although it does pay to observe that anger and allowing oneself to get upset at the state of the world doesn't do anyone any good....it still seems like too much to ask.

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

May things go well for others.

[Janice Taylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Loving Kindness is a beautiful meditation and prayer.
I will do my part. Sending love to self, family, friends, etc.

[Alex Pattakos - Huffpost Blogger]

We can not reach "common" ground if we are unwilling to go to a "higher" ground!

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

spot on, thanks Alex! your blogs are quite inspiring

[darker]

Oh, I guess we're fed up with LIES FROM "COMPASSIONATE" REPUBLICANS?

No more years for Republicans:
THEY'RE TOO DAMN CORRUPT & DANGEROUS
AND WE CAN'T AFFORD THEM.

[jake106]

Just a hunch, but I don't think that when they were talking about compassion, they meant anything about screaming at Republicans.

For what it's worth, I agree with the Shapiro's on this subject. As a nation we have become too obsessed with hating. It goes in both directions...it goes in ALL directions, and everyone is guilty. Even when one side does try to reach across to the other, they just get spit at. We have to change that. All of us.

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes! All of us and we must, as the Beattles said, 'COME TOGETHER.'

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

let's turn hate and aggression into forgiveness and compassion