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    • The Compassion Cure

      by Amy Leigh Mercree

      (Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

      Imagine this scenario: You're walking down a street and you pass a person sitting on a park bench. You can see, even from the distance, in this person's posture that says something is a little off. As you get closer, you see the person is slouching over and sobbing.

      What do you feel? Perhaps you feel the tug on your heartstrings, and the empathy towards this person immediately enters your emotional being. But what do you do? What you do next is the difference between feeling empathy and sharing a moment of compassion.

      So many of us feel all the feels, but rarely do we act upon it. When you see that person on that park bench, do you pause and then keep walking? Or do you pause, take a seat next to the person, and wish them a good day? Or perhaps offer a listening ear to a stranger? To what extent would you offer yourself as a beacon of support to another being?

      Acts of compassion are rooted in a more sensitive state of mind and act as an extension of empathy. Compassion in action is the impetus to go beyond the initial emotional experience, and act toward positive change in a situation in which you feel so moved. Whether it's something small like holding the door for an elderly person, or something large like starting a non-profit organization in the name of something you care about, compassion can come in many different shapes and forms.

      The seeds of compassion extend through all life forms; from the tiniest insect to the largest animal, compassion is widespread throughout the entire animal kingdom. There are may stories of animals helping one another from dolphins, to alligators, to elephants. The possibility of compassion extends beyond humans into all sentient beings.

      Let's take a look at the role of compassion, the energy behind it, and how to develop a daily practice towards being a compassionate being.

      The Origins of Bodhisattva
      Bodhisattva is the Sanskrit term for a person motivated by great compassion. Oftentimes, this person is on a pathway towards enlightenment and is actively finding deeper, stronger, and more frequent acts of compassion.

      Buddha is thought of as the original Bodhisattva, as he was the epitome of kindness and selflessness. Those who follow in Buddha's steps and path are known as Bodhisattvas.

      Maybe we aren't exactly all the next Buddha or Bodhisattvas. However, there has been a huge rise in the practice of yoga in the Western world, bringing with it a heightened awareness around the absolute necessity of compassion.

      In any given yoga or meditation class, you might hear a very popular chant that encompasses the prayer and dedication of compassion:

      "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bavantu: May all beings everywhere live happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

      Feminine Energy and the Goddess Tara
      Our subtle and emotional bodies, which are located in our physical structures, are made up of different types of energies. The two biggest energy forces are the yin and yang of it all—the masculine and the feminine.

      Masculine energy rules processes like willfulness, work ethic, and structure. Feminine energy, however, is the driving force behind empathy (as stated earlier, the fuel for compassion).

      So when the two come together, an interesting and unique force develops into a virtuous liberation. Typically, a Bodhisattva is a male, following in Buddha's footsteps. Yet the Goddess Tara, the most notable female Bodhisattva, is the representative of the embodiment of compassion. Known as "The Mother of Liberation," she represents the willful drive of empathy into action, creating compassion through work and achievement. Whether "Tara" is an actual female person or just a representative conjured up in the ideas mixed together in Hinduism and Buddhism to create a feminine representation of this energy force, it is believed that she hears the cries of pain and suffering and offers mercy, warmth, strength, and a lifeline away from enduring pain.

      Daily Practices of Compassion
      We can look at Goddess Tara as a representative of the mother that plants the seeds of development toward compassion. And just like Tara, our own Earth provides a feminine energy and transformative platform for that compassion to bud and grow.

      You don't have to run out and save the world to be considered compassionate. Small steps in your everyday life can develop compassion, which will bud and grow along the way.

      • Stop and Smell the Flowers
        It's an age-old saying to encourage people to slow down and take in life in the moment. Being present creates the space to accept and receive each other and what's around all of us all the time. But when you literally stop to smell the flowers, you are providing life force for yourself as well as another living being. Flowers give off oxygen, and we give off carbon dioxide. While it's not necessarily a one-to-one ratio in the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, giving a little extra breath to a flower gives it more life and sustainability. And you get to take a moment to embrace its beauty. This moment of pause and exchange builds towards compassion through elements of connection and appreciation for other beings.
      • Hold the Door
        The next time you're out, try holding the door for someone else. That person might receive that and immediately send it off to someone else, as you may have heightened their attitude. You never know what someone's going through….something so small such as opening a door for him or her may just be that extra little piece to make sun shine bright in their life.
      • Send a Smile
        Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to share compassion is to just simply smile at someone. Humans have a natural tendency to smile back when smiled at—help someone turn that frown upside down. It's the easiest form of compassion there is.
      • Give a Compliment
        Telling someone that they look nice may not seem compassionate, but by paying a compliment, you are lightening a person's heart, even if he or she may not realize it. So many of us carry so much on our hearts and shoulders, that we often take it out on ourselves. Give a person a little space to breathe by saying something that will make them feel appreciated.
      • Breathe In, Breathe Out: A Daily Mantra
        Even if you've never even stepped foot in a yoga class, the mantra mentioned earlier is a wonderful way to start your day, and sends out the energy to the world and space around you that you truly and selflessly wish for everyone to have peace, joy, and freedom.
        As you start your day, take a moment to repeat the words:

        "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bavantu: May all beings everywhere live happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

      And to you, an arbiter of empathy and strength, may you continue to find daily moments along the way, recognize them, integrate them, and give devotion to the selfless compassion in your heart and being.

      Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2017. All rights reserved.

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    • IS THERE A SPELL TO PUNISH AN UNFAIR BOSS?

      miserable

      I am facing problems at work: My boss has not paid me all the money I am owed since last December. I am suffering mentally because I am unable to make ends meet. Is there any sort of spell I could use on him so that he will obey me and not make my life miserable? I have lots of problems in my life, and am finding it very hard to cope. My main priority is to see that this unkind, heartless boss of mine is punished for all the suffering that he has inflicted on me, which is affecting my family and daily life. I have also been hanging in for many months now, trying to get a better job, but to no avail. I am wondering if someone out there can help me to lead a normal, trouble-free life. Thank you for your time in reading this most urgent message.
      PS: I am also suffering from cataract and unable to perform the operation because of this financial hardship.

      R.

      Dreamchaser:

      I absolutely cannot help you with this situation. It is my personal belief that we cannot use spells, prayers, wishes or anything else to interfere with someone’s free will. If we wish to bring harm on someone, we are asking for three times the harm to come to us. You are wishing harm on your boss and I cannot help you with that in any way. I refuse to assist anyone in bringing harm to any living thing.

      Why aren’t you using the legal system? You are fully entitled to go down to your local courthouse to file suit against your employer. You are entitled to your wages and you can absolutely use legal methods to demand those payments from your employer. No one can make you a victim except yourself; you have chosen to play the victim role here. As long as you say things like, “I’m unable to perform the operation because of this financial hardship” or “I’m trying to get a better job, but to no avail,” then that is all that will come to you.

      We are what we think we are. I spent 35 years or so being a very typical Virgo. I often used the phrase “I can’t” every single day. “I can’t afford that” or “I can’t ever have a life like that.” Then I read a book by Catherine Ponder called The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity and I changed my thinking. I stopped saying things like “I can’t” and “I won’t,” and my whole life changed. I am now prosperous and abundant in so many ways. You should listen to what I am saying, for I used to be you.

      If you want things to change, you have to change them yourself. You have to change your thinking and the way you live. You have to stop blaming everyone for your problems. You have to stop expecting someone else to bail you out. The reason you can’t find a new job is because you have this angry energy all around you. People can sense that anger, frustration and hatred coming from you, and they decide not to hire you before you even open your mouth.

      I strongly suggest you get some counseling. You have massive amounts of anger you have built up over the years. I also suggest that you read Ms. Ponder’s book. As I doubt you are truly open to counseling right now, then at least read the book. If you really want change, you have to make it happen yourself. No good fairy is going to come down, wave a magic wand and change your whole life.

      You can be happy, abundant and fulfilled, but you have to choose to become those things. I know – I did.

      I wish you real happiness.

      *****
      Astrea:

      As long as your focus in life is getting even with someone, you won’t find anything good for yourself. I’m sure this is affecting your family in a very negative way; you’re a bundle of nothing but negativity. It takes a lot of energy to keep this anger going all the time! You must find some way out of that angry rut.

      I’m so sorry that your boss is doing this to you. I don’t know anyone who has gone to work every day for over eight months without getting paid. If you will quit this job and hire an attorney, you may be able to do something about this situation. Quit now, before your boss racks up any more paychecks to you that you might never see! I feel that he has the money to pay you, and is just using you. By continuing to go to work every day, you enter into a daily legal “credit agreement” with him that he doesn’t have to pay you until he feels like paying you! You should quit that job, get an attorney to talk to him about the money you are owed, and never go back again!

      A spell isn’t the right approach in this situation. I don’t know anyone who would give or sell you a spell to “get back” at anyone. Saying that you want to get even or punish someone with magic is very, very dangerous – to you!  Being so angry is what is holding you back from finding another job or getting any of the money you so need.

      When we have been wronged, releasing anger can be very difficult, and sometimes takes a very long time. Holding on to the anger, however, keeps us from finding relief. You’re so upset about this situation that you’re allowing nothing but negativity into your life, and that is going to keep blocking you until you are able to understand that you are not in control of this situation, and you’re never going to be. Trying to find an easy fix in a spell is absurd. No reputable witch, psychic, or shaman would help you harm anyone else. Any person who suggests they will or can is welcoming the same grief into their life as you have now in yours! Magic is not to be used for getting even.

      I’m sorry things are so difficult, but keeping that anger going all the time is going to make you seriously ill. It’s already affecting your health through your eyes. Anger and hatred are poison; find a way to banish them from your life, and things will change for the better. Become someone who isn’t always a victim. If you don’t, you’re looking at many more years of misery!

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