DAY OF REFLECTION :- DEVELOPING COMPASSION

PLEASE NOTE:- Next Meeting Saturday 11th Dec 1.30 - 4.30 - Wolverhampton

Developing Perspectives and

Relationships of Compassion

What Would it Look Like ?

This is a report on our recent day of reflection that took place at the Friends Meeting House on Saturday 13th November. The day was split into two parts. In the morning we listened to input from Sister Ishpriya on Relationships of Compassion and in the afternoon we watched a short video with input from a variety of Spiritual Leaders concerning our need, as a human family, to change and imagine HOW our world and society COULD Look Better.

I will outline each part of the day and then I will give a short summary of some of our responses and sharing in our Group.

Ishpriya’s Audio Talk: Relationships of Compassion
This was the 3^rd in a series of 3 talks, given by Sister Ishpriya , the Spiritual Teacher of the International Satsang Association ( ISA) at a Satsang Retreat in March 2010 at Douai Abbey near Reading in England. All 3 talks encouraged us to reflect deeply on our Satsang Commitment and in particular on the following words of the ISA Logo – these are based on words from Dom Heldar Camera.

Seeking Together- Helping to Create – a Planetary Vision and a Universal Heart of Compassion

In this 3^rd Talk, Ishpriya used ‘The Challenge of Immigration’ to explore some of the issues around immigrants and applied these to The Satsang Companionship and our relationships as a Spiritual Companionship working towards Universal Compassion.

In her talk, Ishpriya presented some FACTS and Statistics about Immigration and challenged us to reflect on our attitudes and responses to strangers and to difference. She emphasised that :

It is not so much the statistics that matter , rather it is our attitudes.

It is the grassroots attitudes that have to change

It is a Planetary Vision and Universal Heart of Compassion that is required to face this current challenge

She reminded us that the Planet does NOT belong to any one group

She reminded us that, we ,as a Satsang Companionship, need to focus on the importance of Relationships and 5 qualities that underpin could guide our attempts to form genuine relationships :

Autonomy of every person

Chosen not imposed

Appreciation of each other and their gifts and talents

Willingness to Collaborate

Commitment

We then had a period of Reflection to focus on OUR RELATIONSHIPS & HOW OUR SATSANG GROUP COULD DEVELOP

Video Presentation

In the afternoon we resumed and watched a short video from Global Oneness with the title

WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE . This looked at the current situation in our world and the inequalities that exist in our human family. It had input from a diverse group of spiritual thinkers and leaders, each commenting upon the current situation and giving their vision for a more equal and spiritually mature world. They gave some indicators and pointers that could lead to a more compassionate, equal and fair world. A world where people could accept and respect difference, see the wonder of diversity and the underlying unity.

SUMMARY OF OUR SHARING

After listening to both talks and after time for reflection we came together to share. This led to a lively discussion and deep sharing. With all the problems that currently beset our planet, what can we do?

Understandably, some expressed feelings of being overwhelmed. One person response, particularly to the video was 'I wish I could take that ( video) around all the Schools and play it to the school children'. It was agreed that youngsters so often have the belief that they can change the world and thank goodness they can . As adults, we can so easily become cynical, particularly given our past experiences. It was unanimously agreed , that as Satsang Members it was important that we speak out on these issues. We also recognised how difficult that can be, particularly with those closest to us and how comparatively easier it was with a stranger. But, as one Member reminded us ' We have to be careful how we do it'

I was reminded of a saying ' the gentle word turneth away wrath' So often this has been true in my own life. When I look back at those who have made a great impression, and consequently a great impact, on my life, they have never been harshly critical. They have been gentle people who stated their point using a few gentle and considered words.

What has stayed with me from all of the day's talks, and there was so much that was informative, uplifting and encouraging, was the question posed ( on the video) by one gentleman. He asked this question 'What do I have to do in order for you to be free?' These words spoke to me of the need for personal responsibility. I alone cannot change the world. But I can play my part in making this world a better place to live in..As a Satsang Member I am committed to this ideal of Seeking Together- Helping to Create – a Planetary Vision and a Universal Heart of Compassion.

Now, surely freedom is what we all wish for. I don't mean the selfish, self-gratifying freedom to please one's self. The freedom I mean , and this is the freedom I think the gentleman on the video was talking about, was the freedom for each of us to evolve and develop into the person we are each intended to be. The freedom to grow to our full potential.. I was reminded of a statement by David Runcorn , an Anglican Priest, 'we are all unfinished'

This personal responsibility to grow to our full potential requires courage, the courage to make ourselves vulnerable. It requires taking a risk. It takes courage and risk to share something of our self that can help the other. It takes courage and risk to speak out about about what we disagree with. In making oneself vulnerable we empower the other to risk also and , as I recently heard someone say , 'To risk nothing is to risk death'

Of course, our decision to risk, does not always work, sometimes we can experience a hurtful and crushing defeat. But I am comforted by these words attributed to a Christian, Saint Francis of Assisi, ' To give and not to count the cost' This is surely true generosity. We have many examples , from all the Faith Traditions, of people who have had the corage to take the risk. One of these is Mahatma Gandhi, who said