You may have noticed a little trick I use in line six to get around having to use the possessive form of the noun for the recipient of compassion. When the noun is a long compound noun, the possessive form is a bit clunky and awkward. That’s certainly the case for that presence that I feel, and since I use no pronouns for this practice, there are even more lines where I have to get around using the possessive. If this is starting to sound more like an English lesson than a compassion lesson, know that by challenging are minds to reconsider and rewrite the particulars of the lines, we can keep their inherent meaning and feelings alive.
I practice compassion for the presence that I feel
With compassion, I free that presence from suffering
With compassion, I help that presence find peace and feel safe in this world
With compassion, I create contentment in the place where I connect with that presence
With compassion, I inspire that presence to flourish
With patience and good humour, I welcome the imperfections of that presence that I feel
With sympathy, I feel for the suffering felt in the place where I connect with that presence
With empathy, I mind what that presence is feeling and try to understand why
For that presence that I feel, I seek wisdom
I nurture a broad perspective
I foster gratefulness
And I acknowledge that suffering and difficulties are part of what’s felt in the place where I connect with that presence that I feel
This one is really wordy, so it’s not likely I would ever use it in a time when I need the practice for emotional support, or when I need a well memorized practice for quick recall. This practice is more for a busy mind that needs complexity. It gives it something to do while at the same refocusing the mind to the rather uncomplicated mission of relieving suffering, indiscriminately, wherever possible. Thank you for exploring this practice with meš
Photo by Shiyu Zhang
