Listen with Compassion

August 23, 2015 — 3 Comments

politics as usual

One skill that is central to peace of mind and well being is listening. We hear sounds all the time. People talk to us with varying degrees of sincerity and interest. Our job is to distinguish and sort the grain from the chaff. By paying attention it is possible to harvest harmony from the symphony of sounds and sentences we hear. To listen with compassion is a difficult task. Defending our own position rather than truly comprehending other points of view is one of the most common substitutes for listening. Understanding others is not a sign of weakness but a sign of maturity. We can’t agree with everyone, but we can look for ways to increase loving kindness in our lives.  To love thy neighbor as thyself involves a degree of allowing that neighbor to express himself.  As we in the United States fall deeper into the political season each day I expect some wild rhetoric.  To remain happy, detached and centered is my goal.  I am setting guidelines for myself ignored to keep my cool and enjoy life while those around me might loose it.

• No need to respond to political statements made by anyone on line
• When hearing news reports, suspend judgement and consider the facts
• Keep my own negative feelings about candidates to myself
• Attempt to understand the logic behind all points of view presented
• Realize that many factors contribute to elections, most of which have not yet happened.  A wait and see attitude will serve me well as time passes.

By conscious meditative contemplation I will not only survive but will find my center during the presidential election hoo-ha.  I can admit that the last two elections disturbed and distracted me.  I became enraged at the robo calls and the parties making them.  Now I know that this too shall pass.  I am gearing up to listen with compassion and a distinct sense of humor during the political crazy season.  I wish you a sane election season, gentle reader.  Best of luck.

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