Jerry Astrology

Avalokiteshvara, also Guan Yin bodhisattva or 观世音菩萨, is the embodiment of compassion.

In the video above, Master Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us listening with compassion, listening to the suffering with compassion. Starting with ourselves, we must first learn to listen and accept our own suffering with compassion, then to listen to the suffering of those around us with compassion, and finally to listen to the suffering of the world with compassion.

My reflection on his teachings – Compassion has no judgement. Only acceptance. When we listen or look at suffering (our own or other’s) with compassion, we don’t judge and say, “oh you are suffering because you did this or that incorrect action or behaviour. You shouldn’t have done that. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have this suffering at this moment.”

Instead, with compassion, we do not focus on the past or what could have been, but instead, focus on the present moment. There is a soul(s) that is suffering. Let’s offer whatever relief we can to alleviate the suffering.

When one is suffering, there can be fear, uncertainty or a sense of being lost. Compassion, comfort, understanding for the person is like cradling the person in your love and care. Like a parent’s loving and warm embrace, the embrace that makes you feel that everything will be alright. We can rarely remove the someone else’s suffering for it is theirs to bear (just like our own suffering), but we can always offer each other comfort, strength and courage.

I think the cultivation of compassion can help us recognise that suffering has no separation. There isn’t “your suffering” or “my suffering”. It is just suffering. When my parent, partner, child or pet is suffering, how can I not suffer as well? Surely, I will feel their pain. And vice versa – when I suffer, those around me will feel its impact as well.

When I learn to be compassionate to myself, to my pain and suffering, I become compassionate to the suffering of others. And when I learn to be compassionate to the suffering of others, I also know how to be compassionate to myself.

There’s no better place to start than with ourselves. The video above is about 40 minutes long. I highly encourage you to find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed, listen to the teachings of Master Thich Nhat Hanh and experience the chanting of the sangha.

Namo Avalokiteshvara

🙏