Question asked by Eli Levine
Dear Pastors,
Thank you for your quick reply to my previous question. I was wondering how one might develop compassion in an effective manner, since I've read the stages of development and find that I already can develop compassion for even transgressors of the path (even though this is not something I can yet sustain permanently; it just kind of spontaneously arises).
At present, my life is in an incredibly uncertain stage. I've managed to find work after I've finished with my present AmeriCorps year, but that will only last another year, and then I've got to find other work to support myself. I'm finding it very difficult to develop and cultivate compassion in a world where, as I mentioned, I'm still burning up karma from past lives, and my hopes and dreams to help others and myself frequently are thwarted. I realize that not getting what you want is sometimes a great stroke of luck. I'm just wondering how one is able to align themselves with the universe, such that one does not want what the universe isn't prepared to give? I'm personally exhausted by perceiving people and opportunities that may help all beings turn to dust the moment I reach for them, and I don't like the doubt that that creates in my mind towards all people and opportunities that may prove to be more substantial. I'll always try to help others and myself, it's just aggravating not being able to.
Hoping you can help. Thank you.
Dearest Eli Levine,
I would suggest that you get a copy of Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, which is a Lam Rim text from the notes of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s teachings that were written down and edited by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Alternatively you could get a copy of Joyful Path of Good Fortune by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, which is another great Lam Rim text. Both these texts are excellent and can guide practitioners on the Buddhist path very well, in all aspects of the path including the development of compassion.
Another book, which is presented in a very easy to understand manner is Compassion Conquers All, by His Eminence 25th Tsem Rinpoche and details the practical application of the Eight Verses of Mind Transformation. There is another book which is excellent to study and that is Compassion in Tibetan Buddhism.
As you can see and have no doubt come across in your readings, there is a multitude of resources out there that teach the development of compassion. However, the key here is that you need to actually apply the methods listed in the resources, rather than just have an intellectual knowledge as this will not get you very far.
As with all the Buddhist practices and philosophies, the key is the actual practice of what you have studied. From the rest of your explanation is seems that you have not come to a thorough understanding of some other aspects of the Buddhist paths. This is a reason why it is important to train oneself in a graded path, step by step and is why teachings such as the Lam Rim are very important on our spiritual path towards enlightenment. One of the things we need to remember and realise is the falseness of our perceptions of not only samsaric existence but our expectations of what our spiritual path should be like. Most of the time when on the spiritual path, we have our own expectations or wants of how our spiritual path should be, but in most cases even these are due to our own attachments.
In regards to compassion you should learn up and practice the following:
1. The practice of the Six Perfections.
2. The Eight Verses of Mind Transformation.
3. The importance and practice of Bodhicitta (using both the Cause & Effect Instruction, and the Seven-Point Mind Training). These can be found in the various Lam Rim texts, especially the Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand.
It is the actual practice of these, and not just an intellectual understanding of the method that will led to the development of compassion. The spontaneous instances of what you think is compassion, is only the very beginning and comes about from an intellectual understanding rather than an actualisation of the practice. Once you beginning to practice further, you will see that your compassion will increase and widen to include more and more beings, and there will be more instances in which this occurs, until it becomes your very being. That is how the development of compassion occurs, it is through effort, learning and practice rather than something that is spontaneous. I hope this helps.