Awaken the Heart/Mind-Bodhichitta
How do we open our hearts to a world full of hate and suffering?
The Buddhist tradition has some recommendations. One foundation of Buddhist thought is that everything in reality within an individual and in the world is in constant flux and change. The reason we suffer is that we believe something is permanent. When we see the world thinking that something is stable or constant, then we become attached to it, we cling, hoping that it will never change.
How do you know you are attached to something? You get upset when you lose it, or it changes. Think about how many times you have experienced this phenomenon. From losing your favorite piece of jewelry to a relationship or job. It’s not your fault. It is the nature of human existence to find comfort in a sense of stability, but Buddhism says once you realize that everything is changing, you will suffer less.
There is a Sutra from the Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya “heart of wisdom” that states all form is empty (śūnyatā), and all emptiness is form. In Sanskrit, it is:
Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Swaha
This Heart Sutra is explaining the Buddhist concept of “Two Truths.”
That the relative or conventional truth is often how we see reality as separate, dualistic, and constant, it is the ego characteristics when we believe we are our mind, body, emotions, what we own, what we do, and our beliefs. The Absolute or Ultimate truth is the realization that all form is empty, we are empty, the world is empty, and because of that, we are connected. Thich Nhat Hanh calls it “interbeing.” So, in realizing these Two Truths, your heart can open to another, recognizing everyone, as Pema Chodron says, “is just like me.” When our hearts open to the compassion we can desire, wholeheartedly that the suffering of another is relieved and that we have the capacity to do.
How, you may ask? By practicing the words of the heart sutra or another powerful Sanskrit mantra that comes from the Buddhist tradition is
Om Mani Padme Hum
which is the prayer for compassion or the Jewel in the Lotus and reminds us of the Four Noble Truths of the Buddhas teachings which are realizing the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. Another way to practice compassion is through meditation. Meditation purifies the mind and heart to realize that everything is impermeant and we are connecting. One of my favorite Buddhist meditations is Maitri or loving-kindness meditation.
They are affirmative words offered to oneself, then to all. Try this:
Sit comfortably
Eyes closed or half-open on one spot
Breathe deeply
Let the inhale rise from toe tips up the spine from fingertips gathering tension to the crown of the head\Exhale out of the mouth and trace the breath and awareness back down to give any holding to the earth
Repeat this a few times
Filling the lower belly like a balloon on the inhale and exhale out of the mouth inviting softness
Now bring your attention to the center of your chest
The breath is soft here
If you find yourself distracted or uncomfortable at any time in this meditation, come back to the breath we just did
Otherwise, watch the natural breath moving in and out of the chest
Softening the shoulders, the neck, and tongue drops
Now, as you repeat these words silently, notice your initial reaction
Reactions happen quickly, and it may reveal something to you, like do I resist these words, accept them, believe them, disbelieve them
Whatever you notice is perfect, no judgment, just noticing
I like to say the words on the current of the inhale and let the exhale be empty to expand the words, support the feeling of the words, and over tie the eventual embodiment of the words
Repeat on the inhale and let the exhale be empty
May I see myself
May I know myself
May I love myself
Continue feeling the effects
Then after 3-13 rounds, change I to all
May all see themselves
May all know themselves
May all love themselves
Repeat for 3-13 rounds and breathe softly. I have various Maitri meditations on my Youtube channel. Please consider subscribing.
