WHENEVER NEGATIVITY, MISUNDERSTANDING, CONFUSION,
HEAVINESS, OR ANY DISLIKE OBSESSES YOU, BRING IN COMPASSION
AND YOU WILL SEE THAT YOUR HEART AND MIND RELAX AND SOFTEN.

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      A third point is: what are the counter-balancing factors that help the mind to overcome those obstacles or mitigate them? One could say: sit down, relax, meditate, let the tensions subside. Or: don’t be negative and avoid situations that create tension. Or: use auto-reflection with your mind so you will not be affected; let it go. Each of these is correct. But in a tangible way, on the path of virtue, what would be the counter-balance of tensions? This may not sound technically like a path but it can be made a path. That word is compassion.
      Let’s analyze the word: “com” meaning together, “passion,” meaning feelings, pathos, togetherness. As soon as you bring in compassion, any tension will subside, with others as well as with yourself. Try it. Whenever negativity, misunderstanding, confusion, heaviness, or any dislike obsesses you, bring in compassion and you will see that your heart and mind relax and soften. Tensions of any kind will just disappear. The reason I am stressing compassion is because it not only has the formula for making the mind peaceful, it also includes “Love thy neighbor as thine own self.” It directs that we should harm no one. It is so important, not only from the point of relationships and living in the world, but also in dealing with your own mind. Compassion implies non-violence, harmlessness, subsiding tensions and agitations for your mind and for anyone else. Onepointedness is the natural result of compassion, without fighting with your mind.

      Compassion is one of the two main forces toward Enlightenment. It makes you conscious, receptive, settled and relaxed. Compassion you can cultivate by practice, self-suggestion, by making yourself understand how valuable it is. It includes forgiveness, patience, harmlessness, charity, let go—everything. What is the second force which substantiates compassion and together makes you fit for Enlightenment? This force you cannot study, regulate, practice or cultivate, but it ensues automatically after compassion is achieved. That force is wisdom. These are not new words but let us understand them in a different way. When you are focused and one-pointed, wisdom naturally follows; the understanding or insight of a person or situation or problem follows. It gives you that revelation. Together compassion and wisdom lead to Enlightenment. What further does compassion do? It makes you free from vulnerability to any disturbance, any situation, collective or individual. Compassion has never been preached as a rationalization or therapy; it has always been preached as a virtue. But it is very scientific and therapeutic for the mind. It not only gives you peace and releases you from tension; it settles your nervous system and makes one-pointedness natural. Then wisdom follows.


Teaching from the basis of eternal Truth, the message of Swami Amar Jyoti's Satsangs (Sanskrit: communion with Truth) is one of deep spiritual unity.  His way is not to espouse a particular creed but to impart a spiritual way of life.   He spent four decades (from 1961-2001) awakening and uplifting countless souls around the world to God-consciousness and disseminating the timeless Truth underlying all traditions and faiths.  Prabhushri Swamiji authored several books; over seven hundred of His oral discourses, illuminating the classical path for modern times, are available on CD and audiocassette.



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