Steps in cultivating compassion
Before you begin learning the techniques for generating deep and continuous
compassion, it is helpful to have an overview of the steps involved.
This big view itself exerts an influence on the mind, drawing it toward
the ultimate state being sought.
This is the process you will learn in this course,
along with several booster meditations:
| 1 Establishing
Equanimity |
Equality
Realizing that everyone wants happiness and does
not want suffering. Cultivation of equanimity is bolstered
by eight meditations.
Motivation
Empowering practice by adjusting your motivation beforehand and by dedicating
its value afterward.
Awareness of Death
Becoming more realistic
- by meditating on the
nearness of death
- by developing a strong intention
to use the precious opportunity of this life;
- by
lessening the force of previous negative actions though
a four-step technique: disclosure of ill-deeds, contrition,
intending to restrain from them in the future, and virtuous
activity.
Facing Horror
- Removing barriers
to equanimity and compassion through a three-step technique:
imagining hell-like situations, relieving those beings
of pain, and reflecting on the similarity of aspiration
between yourself and others.
- Transforming reactions
by remembering conflict situations earlier in your life
and imagining a change of attitude.
- Overcoming fright
by imagining monsters and contemplating that the monster,
like you, wants to be rid of suffering and gain happiness.
Lifetimes: Cultivating equanimity
by imagining specific relationships in past lifetimes. |
|
| 2 Recognizing
friends |
Making
Progress
Proceeding effectively and removing
obstacles
Valuing Others
Separating from selfishness
by choosing who should be helped, radiating beneficence,
and enjoying their success. |
|
| 3 Reflecting
on others' kindness |
Considering
the kindness of individuals, intended and unintended |
|
| 4 Returning Kindness |
Developing
an intention to reciprocate kindness |
|
| 5 Cultivating
love |
Meditating
on three levels of love |
|
| 6 Cultivating
compassion |
Cultivating Compassion
Seeing Suffering Beings through contemplating
a bucket battered in a well
Cultivating Compassion
Seeing Evanescent Beings through
contemplating the reflection of the moon rippling in
a breezy lake
Cultivating Compassion Seeing Empty Beings through
contemplating the reflection of the moon in a calm lake
Compassion and wisdom combined |
|
