Lovingkindness, compassion, empathetic/appreciative joy and equanimity. We weave a tapestry of clear, caring, balanced and appropriate responsivity through our practice. This growing and maturing tapestry made up of these perfectly natural capacities of heart weave into the whole of our life and into all of our relationships.
Reading the Cowherd Sutta illustrates how we need the sangha as a refuge and the practice of metta--as well as right effort, renunciation, right intention, equanimity and compassion--in order for us to come to safety.
"The greatest gift is the act of giving itself" Generosity is the seed--the foundation of spiritual development. It is the ground of compassion. It is a requisite of Liberation. Generosity--the practice of non-clinging--puts us directly in touch with the reality of interconnectedness. We give to help free ourselves. We give to help, bring joy to and to free others. And, we learn to receive graciously and with trust, just what is given..
The Bodhisattva is resolved to realize non-separation and live from this truth. On this path, we widen the circle of compassion to include all of life.
