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Compassion brings Peace
Topic Started: Aug 19 2009, 07:40 AM (82 Views)
Silmerion Skywalker
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Master Consular/Scholar/Healer
This is what Anakin says about Compassion:
"Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life" "Attack of the Clones" R.A.Salvatore

This might sound like a paradox when we consider the first line of the Code:
"There is no emotion, there is peace"

Now let's consider what Compassion is and where we can find this concept:
-In the Buddhist Tradition, the practioners are invited to transform their negative emotions into Compassion and Wisdom.
Compassion isn't a human emotion, it is a divine emotion, more an energy than a mere emotion. The only door to true understanding.

-In the Taoist Tradition, the power of Compassion is used to heal- often visualized as a white energy of love.

-In the Christian Tradition, Compassion is seen really as a divine quality, which can give us the strength to understand and help our brothers.

Now three kinds of Compassion are needed:
-Compassion for oneself: As Jedi we are often very harsh with ourselves, not accepting our failures and weaknesses, of course, we have to do our best to better but without compassion, we become too rigid, arrogant, proud, we can start walking the Dark Path. This is exactly what Anakin did because he never forgave himself for his mother's death. He thought he should be perfect, he had no compassion for himself and he saw himself even above the Will of the Force. This took away from him any inner peace, and with time...it made him fall.

-Compassion for the others: Sometimes it is very difficult to feel compassion for some person. The best example is Darth Vader, he became a monster, not even completely human, he killed thousands of persons, betrayed and destroyed the Jedi Order, tortured his daughter, destroyed her planet, reduced thousands of people as slaves...yet Luke felt compassion for him. Precisely this compassion gave him the strength to surrender to his father, he was trusting that he wouldn't have killed him. This was the only way to defeat the Emperor, to save Anakin and to bring balance to the Force.
Compassion is the only way to fully understand what a person is living and suffering, as well as the reason why he/she behaves this way. Instead of fighting this person, we can help him/her, so that this person can better.

-Compassion for our fellow Jedi: We can be tempted to judge our fellow Jedi with more severity, because in our mind the Jedi should be superior, they can't mistake, they are perfect. Look at Star Wars: who is perfect? Obi-Wan made many mistakes in his life, Master Yoda mistook many times which eventually led the Order to its downfall...and these are only the examples of those we consider like the best Jedi...
If we do not feel compassion for our brothers, if we are unable to forgive them, or to support them, how can we help the others? If we aren't united in the difficult moments, how shall we be able to bring unity and peace to our world?

Compassion is central for the Jedi's Ideal because without it, we fail to fully understand the others. There is a subtle knowledge that only Compassion can give us, and which, with time can become wisdom.

Compassion is a great mystery, a great power, the way to Enlightenment and to manifesting the Luminous Being we have inside of us, our true nature, made by the pure essence of the Force.

How can we work on Compassion?
In the Buddhist Tradition, there is beautiful practice open even to non- Buddhist, which is called Chenrezig, it is a sung practice which can be guided only by a Buddhist but we can repeat its Mantra:
OM MANI PEME HUNG (in Tibetan)
OM MANI PADME HUM (in Sankrit)- the origin of Padmé's name...

In the Christian Tradition, any prayer to call for the Holy Spirit will open your heart to Compassion, as well as most of the practices and lectures.

In the Taoist Tradition, any exercise which fills your heart with loving white energy will help you gain Compassion.

Many other cultures can have practices, meditations...

I invite you to meditate on the concept of Compassion, as it is really central to a Jedi's life.

Master Silmerion Skywalker
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