To Train in Compassion

To train in compassion is to know
that all beings are the same
and suffer in similar ways,
to honor all those who suffer,
and to know that you are
neither separate from
nor superior to anyone.

~Sogyal Rinpoche

Of Note: Everyone would benefit from internalizing these words, but even more so those with Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS.) A noted Bush-hating columnist yesterday had apparently not figured out that Bush had gone home to Crawford, and Obama was the new man in the White House--reconciliation a central theme of his incoming administration. Nope, some have been hell-bent to gnaw on the moving boxes and eat the packing peanuts. Well, we've got news for them. A new day is dawning, and their day has ended. We hope they join us in reconstructing a better world devoid of senseless rancor, but if they don't, a nice padded cell will be made available at no additional cost. The decision is theirs.

Today's Weather Report: More of the same hangs over northern Wisconsin. That would be gray and white. There's just no way to get away from it. However, the mood in the nation is so upbeat, it really makes no difference what the landscape looks like outside. Inside a smile warms my heart as does this picture of a reclining Buddha taken by my sister, Marie.

Watch For Change Snippet: For many years, prayer circles have been a common occurrence when necessity calls. Little did I know until recently that meditation circles were equally as common. For Inauguration Day an "Invocation for the Soul of the United States" circulated between many folks, some of whom are proudly secular. That's one of the nice things about a non-religious though highly spiritual invocation--most everyone can get their brains around making the world a better place through a mutual voicing of an inspiring message. Moreover, its lines shadowed the President's theme of reconciliation and hope. It went like this:

"Let the wounds of separation and division be healed by opening our hearts to listen to the truth on all sides, allowing us to find a higher truth that includes us all;

May we learn to honor and enjoy our diversity and differences as a people, even as we more deeply touch our fundamental unity;

May we, as a people, undergo a transformation that will draw forth individuals to lead our nation who embody courage, compassion and a higher vision;

May our leaders inspire us, and we so inspire each other, that a new spirit of forgiveness, caring and honesty can be born in our nation;

May we, as a united people, move with clear directed purpose to take our place within the community of nations to help build a better future for all humankind;

May we as a nation rededicate ourselves to truly live as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We can thank the Center for Visionary Leadership for making this invocation available. May the words find root in fertile hearts and minds ready to embrace the concept of compassion as a working principle in daily life. The Dalai Lama would be glad for the company.