Cultivation of unconditional love and benevolence for all sentient beings constitutes an important spiritual practice which ultimately culminates in identification of oneself with all beings. By empathetic awareness of all beings - ability to share others’ emotions, thoughts or feelings, we realize their concerns, fears, anger, hopes and passions as our own, thereby changing our attitude and behavior towards them. The expanse of unconditional love transforms negative emotions into positive ones suffused with loving care, concern, benevolence and well-being for one and all.
Undiluted love for self, friends or a neutral person may well be easier to be practiced. But the real challenge comes when developing this with those we are in conflict with us.
Instead of probing and pondering over the good or bad qualities of those with whom we differ, we should be ready to ask ourselves – ‘ what if those all negative and odd characteristics were prevalent within ourselves ?’ Well, that’s only when we think rationally about it. But actually what happens when one devoutly adheres to a life of unconditional love towards friends or foe, good or bad and men or animals ? Life transforms into a realm of perennial pleasure which the individual is not physically aware of, but transmits all around him a sort of all pervading vibration of love and this undefined love permeates one and all whosoever come within it’s contact.
Angulimal, a rustic robber and a dangerous dacoit somehow came in contact of Buddha under His all pervading love and compassion; The dacoit was so transformed that he simply forgot what he had been doing and became totally tranquil and calm; Villagers then started pelting stones at him and his whole body was bleeding; yet his heart was full of repentance, forgiveness, and love.
When Purna, a disciple, wanted to spread Buddhism to some notorious villagers everybody discouraged him. The Buddha asked Purna, “If they don’t listen to you and insult you, what will you do?” Purna replied, “I will be thankful for their only insulting me and not hitting me.” The Buddha questioned, “If they hit you, then?” Purna replied, “I will still be thankful for their only hitting me and not killing me.” Lastly, the Buddha asked, “If they come to kill?” Purna replied, “I will profusely thank them for liberating me from bondage of this body.” The Buddha said, “You are grounded in Eternal Love. Nobody on earth can harm you, go ahead.”
Culmination of eternal love transcends hatred, intolerance and all those negative aspects and makes this world harmonious with radiant love, benevolence, serenity and an inexplicable warmth of brotherhood.
Please explain to me what u would do if someone broke into your home with the sole intent of harming you, and shot you dead...yes everything is forgivable in time...I have known people who have been harmed, and they have forgiven their perpetrator. Or the innocence slaughtered because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. To a certain extent, it is God's will...when your time is up, then he calls u home. We are a fallen human race with free will..we need to love and treat others as we want to be treated.. We also need to be smart about letting someone clearly evil into our lives..pray for them ..yes..associate with them..no..Christ said to witness to others, and if they wouldn't listen..to remove the dust from our sandals and move on. I know there is a higher plane of existence..a oneness, but to not acknowledge Satan's influence(in this world) is to be naive..I will say it again evil exists...just like heaven and hell. It also says in the Bible that as much as possible be on good terms with people..that is my belief..truly..but we still need to be aware of the Hitler's, Hussein's, Khaddaffi's...Ida Amin(types)that are evil and can't be regenerated. That ..is the only flaw in the thinking above that I don 't agree with..Thx
ReplyDeleteThank you so-much for your comments.Any knowledge has it's own limitations whereas wisdom has none. All logics are laced with limitations of individual comprehension – which again is influenced by our conditioning.Sight has no benefit in the absence of light. Unless we have light within, we are not capable to lead without.There are phenomenons which can not be explained in words. I can not even explain in words, the taste of a mere chilly to a totally illiterate, ignorant primitive man; how can I explain the above!
ReplyDeleteMillions of living beings were erased from this unique planet just at the click of a nuclear button; What was the satanic element in it ? The pilot who pushed the button, his commander, the strategists,the then policy makers, or the inventor of the bomb,or the lives that were bombed ?
A very devout pilgrim was standing before a famous but much crowded temple to see the presiding deity inside the sanctum-sanatorium; He was trying desperately to have a first-hand view, but his sight was badly hampered by the host of crowd standing before him. He became dejected and was grumbling within himself, when a mystic - standing besides him - very lovingly told him : " My dear, just close your eyes and be still, you will see what you wanted to." After a few seconds, the pilgrim - with an aura of inexplicable pleasure - left the crowd - cool and contented.
Love & Regards.
I was addressing a clearly evil intent/influence...we merely have to be careful with our choices...when we feel/know that the evil is drawing near. We don't have to support a person,thought..that doesn't benefit our personal journey to the soul. Wisdom is wisdom onto it's self, a higher level of consciousness must always be our ultimate goal..as is loving others. The Satanic influence is evil...Jesus said we must flee from it..keeping Jesus on your lips always...the evil must flee from that name, but do we keep His name there always)?? As for the devastation from man's progress/choices..we are all given free will(even Angels & Satan had that choice..he was the #1 angel until vanity was found in him and he wanted to be equal with Papa(God)) Nuclear power can be used for good or evil, those that used it(for example),may not be aware of the intent or the consequences of their actions. Again we have free will..do you think that the Germans knew the full extent of their choice, when they put Hitler in power..no, they were in an economic depression, they were desperate for leadership..a way out..Hitler was a great orator, he swayed the masses..and used brute force later to implement his plan to take over the world. Do you think that they(German people knew the full extent of the killing in the concentration camps..or the world knew), for that matter. I am merely stating that we must be intelligent in our choices. Papa has the evil thing included in His plan, for man..He has devised a way to eradicate EVIL once and for all..He name is Jesus..and Papa will take us to live with Him eternally and be one with our soul forever. Having free will,we must choose Jesus, but we can reject him and suffer the consequences. We may have to agree to disagree..and that is ok. I agree with your analogy otherwise..Love & regards :-)
ReplyDelete....So it be....
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