Compassion as a way of life

 When I was growing up my parents were Libertarian Conservatives (in other words they thought a lot like the Founding fathers of this country.

This philosophy is basically: "America is the land of opportunity so either work hard, get rich or die trying."

However, as I entered college I began to see just how many were dying trying and I wondered why they all had to die or get sick or maimed trying to succeed.

So, at this point I realized that there was something wrong about this point of view that Libertarian Conservatives had like I was raised to be. They were trying to train me to be a self starter and an opportunist. Then I started to see people working their fingers to the bone and then getting a watch or something and a few days or years later they would die unhappy.

Then I started to think in terms of "Work Smarter not harder". I suppose if you are a workaholic this "Work Smarter not harder" might upset you.

However, it is a college way of thinking. So, "Work Smarter not harder" is about leverage and that leverge often comes from going to college.

So, in the process of being raised Protestant Christian I began to see how racist Christianity can be here in the U.S. and is often tied directly or indirectly to white Racism.

I didn't want to be a racist and helping prevent people of other races or nationalities get ahead through this racism.

So, I searched for a better way.

For me, the answer came through Buddhism which is about "The Path of Compassion'

For me, this meant that everyone is equal and deserves and equal opportunity to succeed in life.

This worked for me because it fit in with the more Libertarian idealism I was taught growing up. So, if everyone actually had an equal opportunity this would be better and more fair.

So, for me, a path of compassion helped me help myself and all others I met more and more and more.

So, this Buddhist prayer for me I found very helpful to run through my mind as a prayer a lot. I even would wake up from Sleeping giving this prayer for compassion for all beings in the universe.

May all beings attain Bliss and the Cause of Bliss

May all beings be free from Suffering and the Cause of Suffering

May all beings never be without the Supreme Bliss that is free from all near and Far, all grasping and Aversion.

By this merit may I become like the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the 10 directions and the three times.

(The ten directions are a way to navigate in space where there is no up or down.)

(The Three Times are the past, present and future)

Also, Buddha Soul Traveled to other planets where there were billions of people alive there too.

I could really relate to this because Soul Travel has always been my path since the Angels Rescued me from Whooping Cough when I was 2 years old.

By God's Grace 

Also, Christianity does not see Buddhism as a Religion but rather as a philosophy So, many ministers and Priests around the world are Buddhists as well as Christians in their practices. It's sort of like all the people who are Christian doing Hatha Yoga as a health practice.

However, Buddhism I see as a practice that helps your mental health by healing you and everyone around you from their psychological problems. It tends to eliminate self hate too.

What Goes Around Comes around

As ye sow so shall ye reap

Karma

Compassion for yourself and all beings is what God would want for you too!