Compassion – the supreme power

When the policeman took me to the remand cell inside Police station at Thalahena, (Colombo, Sri Lanka), I felt bit uneasy. This person, whome I supposed to see in few minutes, changed my entire life experience in a single night. He has intruded into my house during the midnight, and stole every valuble item (including the wedding neckless of my wife) remained inside house. When I realized, he had roamed around our bed room, when we were in deep sleep, I felt horribly helpless. And for more than a week, I could not sleep.

Months later, Police caught him (during another midnight intrusion). And now, I am in front of this terrifying individual, behind the bars.

He is stout and shot, dark and humble. Smiling, despite the fact he is under police custody. When Policman ask certain questions, he explained how he entered our house, and spend the time there.

I felt sorry (and questioned myself, is this the deamon who made myself so scared). He is another human being, very much helpless in his ability to stand on his own in this society. He is extremely poor, cannot pass a day without having drugs. Theft is the only skill he posses. He use it for his own living.

‘How can I get him out of the prison?’ – that was my question to Policman. ‘Mithuru Mithuro’ – Drug rehabilitation center is the best place for him (not the prison). That can transform this extremely distorted individual into a normal human being.

This is the revelation of Compassion. (in a matter of senconds, my mind has transformed from Aversion to Compassion in front of this humble individual – called thief).

Compassion – is one of the best emotional states any human can experience. That makes us very comfortable in mind and body. When compassion dominates our mind, we feel very relaxed. It passes a soothing feeling through all our body muscles. It empowers our spirit to the point, that we tend to become supreme for a moment.

Compassion tends to radiate unique waves from our entier body, thus every living being around us tend to feel comfortable.

We all humans have compassion inside us, and experiences it random occasions, But awakening compassion skillfully at our will is not that easy. Most difficult is recognizing it from other diffiled emotional states.

At times, we tend to recognize our own love, affection and even some forms of desires as compassion. (as they tend to make our selves comfortable).

Following two examples may provide some help to gain clarity on compassion;

• One day when I was travelling through the woods (in thick jungle) to meet my meditation guru, I suddenly felt the creeping leach on my left leg. In a quick impulse I caught him and started squeezing between my fingures (before throwing). Suddenly I felt how helpless this small creature, between my fingers. I saw how small it is – like a baby leach. Suddenly I felt like holding my own small daugter. Immediately I left him without incurring any more pain.

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