We heard an inspiring story about a revered Tibetan lama whom the Chinese Communists had held in prison for many years. Eventually the lama was released and later met with the Dalai Lama, who asked him, “It must have been difficult to be a prisoner for all those years. Were you ever afraid?”
“Yes,” the lama replied. “There were times when it was very dangerous.”
“Do you mean you were afraid that the guards would kill you?”
“Oh, no,” he explained. “It was dangerous because sometimes I came very close to losing my compassion for them.”
Saints and saviors of all traditions have echoed these words. Paramhansa Yogananda said of Jesus Christ, “O Thou Great Lover of all error-torn brothers, an unseen monument of the mightiest miracle of love was established in every heart when the magic of Thy voice uttered: ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
What is the source of this unconditional love that can forgive even those who attempt to destroy us? Such love flows from a spring of divine consciousness within each of us. A calm, interiorized mind and devotion to God help us tap into the source. Once we find it, we realize that love is much more than a response to others who are pleasing to us. It is a limitless capacity that flows through us to everyone, but isn’t confined or defined by our personal feelings.
In 2009 Swami Kriyananda had a deep inspiration one night while staying at a hotel in Florence, Italy. Awakening at 3:00 a.m., he wrote these words on a small paper coaster in his room:
The more bliss I feel in myself, the more I find everyone around me utterly lovable. How vastly varied are the ways of approaching that same bliss! Every being on earth has his own, unique way of seeking it! No one can be stereotyped! And the stereotyped beliefs of religion are perhaps the worst. Everyone on earth approaches God in his own special way, though perhaps his way be, at present, very lumpy and bumpy indeed.
When we discover this wellspring of love within, we can unite in Spirit with other “explorers” of higher consciousness. The many little streams of our separate existences can merge to form mighty rivers that wash away the dark pools of conflict and hatred, and eventually flood our planet with an Ocean of Divine Love.
Towards the One,
Nayaswami Devi
15 Comments
Beautiful, Devi. Thank you!! Blessings to all.
Thank you Devi. I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi, who was also able to forgive his killer as he was still in the midst of laying aside his fleshly body, and who was repeatedly able to unite Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and many others who expressed various and different forms or techniques of stereotypical ritual, doctrine and dogma…
Beautiful story and powerful words! Thank you so much for sharing these.. Thanks Devi ji!
Dear Nayaswami Devi,
Thank you sharing this lovely article. We shall try to express our love to everyone and those who hate us well. As master said of Jesus Christ ” Forgive them, for they know not what they do “. One love :). Aum
Thank you for sharing such sweet inspiration. Sincere gratitude.
Jai ma! So very inspiring.it is very very difficult not loose compassion and remain calm.but yes thank you for reminding us.jaima.
Dearest Devi,
How inspiring!
And how appropriate for me today, as I contemplate an incredible “danger” inflicted on me yesterday by my own Mother. I was truly in “danger” of loosing my Compassion and Love for her.
I want to cry and be angry too, but at the same time feel calm inside. This is different for me. I “know” on some level this is a test.
I kept Master close to me and felt so much gratitude as I read the Essence of the Bhagavad Gita as her vibration of pain and anger swirled around me (I was in a car with her for 6 hours). I guess that is a relatively short amount of time in the cosmic sense – it “felt” longer.
Knowing that as I get closer to coming to Ananda my tests will get more intense and personal. I am staying aware and I am practicing Aparigraha and Santosha as best as I can. Thank you for these words of inspiration and comfort.
~~~Peace, Josette
Jai Guru Jai! My prayers are with you. Blessings of Love and Light.
Thank you, Devi. Beautifully expressed.
Thank you for that wonderful message! I love that quote from Swamiji, too.
Thank you both for your wonderful reflections of the Grace of the Divine. Each week is a comfort and reminder of our path to Divine Mother.
Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
Thank you for your continued inspiration.
John
Beautiful and Inspiring! Thank You.
This was JUST what I needed to hear today. Thank you so much! God bless you.