Compassion Awareness: Open Awareness Open Mind Series

Compassion means that we care for the well being of others. We wish them peace and happiness and do not want them to suffer. In this meditation, Lama Yeshe invites you to look at compassion through your own experience. He asks you to think about 'What does it feel like to have compassion towards others?' and 'What does it feel like when others show compassion towards you?' If you feel that you may need to boost your compassion for others, then this meditation is for you.

Transcript

This is a guided meditation practice from Buddhism Guide called Compassion Awareness Meditation.

Sit comfortably and lightly close your eyes.

Let's start by doing three calming breaths.

Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

Hold the breath.

And now breathe all the air out through your mouth.

Again,

Breathe in through your nose.

Hold the breath.

And breathe the air out through your mouth.

One more time,

Breathe in.

Hold.

And breathe out.

Now breathe normally and don't try to force your breath in any way.

Just leave it to find its own rhythm.

I personally believe the definition of compassion is the wish to free others from suffering.

Think about these words for a moment.

Is this how you would describe compassion?

I want you to look at compassion through your own experience.

What does it feel like to have compassion towards others?

What does it feel like to have compassion towards others?

What does it feel like when others show compassion towards you?

What does it feel like when others show compassion towards you?

Now think about what it feels like when you lose your compassion for others.

You stop caring about them and your heart closes down.

You stop caring about them and your heart closes down.

What does it feel like when others lose compassion for you?

What does it feel like when others lose compassion for you?

Think of a time when you were going through a difficult period in your life and no one cared.

What did it feel like?

What does it feel like when others lose compassion for you?

What does it feel like when others lose compassion for you?

Now think of a time when you show compassion towards someone.

What emotions do you feel?

What body sensations do you feel?

What benefit did you gain from giving compassion?

Now think of a time when you were shown compassion by someone.

What emotions do you feel?

What body sensations do you feel?

What benefit did you gain from receiving compassion?

What body sensations do you feel?

Now just sit for a moment with the warmth of compassion in your heart.

In a moment you'll hear the final bells.

Once the bells have finished,

Very slowly start to open your eyes.

And just sit there a moment to allow yourself to return to the outside world.

Bells.

Reviews

Thank you for the reflection on the too often hidden quality of compassion towards others and the self. It calls for an open heart and beneficial daily practice. Namaste🤓🙏🏻

Wow. Ty. That was really enlightening thinking about how I felt when compassion was no longer extended to me. It made room for a lot more compassion for others pain and suffering.

Thank you. Just what is needed at the moment.

Gave me a real sense of what it feels like to give and receive compassion, as well as what it feels like to not give and receive it. Thank you.

Awesome practice
I literally got warmed up in heart

I am so grateful for al the Buddhist meditations from you, thank you. 🙏

This really helped me to focus on what compassion means and how it feels. Thank you 🙏🏼

Extremely helpful today when dealing with news of difficulties in friends lives about which there is little to be done...but we can hold them in compassion

What a great contemplation practice! Thank you!

Thank you very much for your help.

Grounding and loving. Reminds me to be gentle and kind. Thank you.

I love it all. Thank you so much for guiding so gently!

Lovely meditation 🙏very helpful to tune into physical sensations in relationship to emotional states

Nice contemplation on compassion. 🙏🏻😌💓

Very nice! Thank you!