"Although this practice of cultivating loving-kindness (metta, maitri) and compassion (karuna) is part of a traditional sequence contemplating “the four limitless ones,” many of us discover along the way the apparent limits of our heart’s radiance. For now, I have some difficulty wishing my least favorite politicians happiness. As always, it’s important to be honest—and not become angry with ourselves that we have not yet realized unlimited friendliness. We start where we are, as a famous American Buddhist nun reminds us, and we make friends with ourselves as we are, as the basis for extending further kindness to others." from "Radical Compassion: Shambhala Publications Authors on the Path of Boundless Love" by Shambhala Publications, Ringu Tulku, Pema Chodron, Ken Wilber, Karen Kissel Wegela, Judith L. Lief, Chogyam Trungpa, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Gaylon Ferguson, Diane Musho Hamilton, Reginald A. Ray ---------------------- It can be extremely difficult at times to even think about loving or having compassion for certain people. Even Jesus told his disciples to love their enemies. Because if you love them they are no longer enemies. Why is it easier for us to do this for some than others? Familiarity? The recipient's obvious brokenness? I got another book, recently, titled Cultivating Compassion. Maybe that will have an answer to my question. Or, maybe it won't. The important thing is to keep practicing, right? Eventually, perhaps, I'll have no enemies. Peace!
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