The Seeds of Love

We all have the seeds of Love in us.   We can develop this wonderful source of energy, nurturing the
unconditional Love that does not expect anything in return.  When we understand someone deeply, even
someone who has done us harm, we cannot resist loving him or her.
 Shakyamuni Buddha declared that the Buddha of the next eon will be named    -
 "Maitreya, the Buddha of Love."

The second aspect of true love is karuna, the intention and capacity to relieve and transform suffering
and lighten sorrows.   Karuna is usually translated as "compassion," but that is not exactly correct.
"Compassion" is composed of com ('together with") and passion ("to suffer").    But we do not need to
suffer to remove suffering from another person.   Doctors, for instance, can relieve their patients' suffering
without experiencing the same disease in themselves.  If we suffer too much, we may be crushed and unable to help. Still, until we find a better word, let us use "compassion" to translate karuna.


To develop compassion in ourselves, we need to practice mindful breathing, deep listening, and deep looking. The Lotus Sutra describes Avalokiteshvara as the bodhisattva who practices "looking with the eyes of compassion and listening deeply to the cries of the world."   Compassion contains deep concern.   You know the other person is suffering, so you sit close to them.   You look and listen deeply to be able to touch their pain.   You are in deep communication, deep communion with them, and that alone brings some relief.

One compassionate word, action, or thought can reduce another's suffering and bring them joy.  One word can give comfort and confidence, destroy doubt, help someone avoid a mistake, reconcile a conflict, or open the door to liberation.   One action can save a person's life or help him take advantage of a rare opportunity.  One thought can do the same, because thoughts always lead to words and actions.  With compassion in our heart, every thought, word, and deed can bring about a miracle.

                                
Reference:
The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
Thich Nhat Hanh  ~
Namaste  ~  Love