Welcome.
As you make yourself comfortable in a seated position,
Please close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose and release through your mouth,
Releasing any tension that may be in your body.
Again,
Take a deep breath in through your nose and release everything as you exhale and relax into your body.
Deeply inhale and slowly exhale.
Deeply inhale and slowly exhale.
A great Zen master held a weeks-long meditation retreat that was attended by people from all over the land.
During one of the gatherings,
A pupil was caught stealing.
The matter was reported to the great master with requests that the culprit be expelled.
Yet the Zen master did nothing.
Later the pupil was caught stealing once again and the great Zen master disregarded the matter.
This angered the pupils who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief,
Stating that otherwise all the students will leave.
The great master then called all his students before him,
You are wise brothers and sisters.
You know what is right and what is not.
You may go somewhere else to study if you so choose.
But this pupil does not know right from wrong.
Who will teach him if I do not?
I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave,
Explain the great master.
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who had stolen.
All desire to steal had vanished.
Like the pupils did,
It is easy to cast someone out to see if they have committed wrongdoing.
But what would the world look like if we only extended compassion to the world?
If we continually cast others out for their wrongdoing,
What would the world look like?
If we continually cast others out for their wrongdoings,
There would be no one left.
By extending compassion to those who commit wrongdoings,
We are indirectly extending compassion towards ourselves.
For we also may falter at times.
Perhaps you're dealing with someone who has hurt you now,
Or you'll be faced with the situation where you feel wronged.
Consider pausing in that moment.
Is this an opportunity for you to extend compassion to someone in need?
Perhaps that person may be yourself.
Maybe you've done something you're not proud of or dishonored yourself in some way.
We may not be able to go back and change the beginning,
But you can start where you are and change the ending.
Please take a moment to think of some person that could be yourself if you so choose,
Or some situation where you have an opportunity to extend compassion.
Inhale slowly as you release your thoughts and exhale gently focusing only on your breath for the next minute.
You May you have a meaningful day.
May you have a meaningful day.
