I'm enjoying the after effects of the retreat last weekend. Right speech from the two lamas is buzzing around in my head, and yet, I've hardly spoken a word, so the practice is still intangible. I found myself more compassionate even in my prayers, though. I pray every night for my son's and daughter-in-law's unborn baby, hoping he's healthy and comfortable and knows how many people love him already. And in doing so, I can clearly see that he's got his challenges, even right there in the cosy womb. He's growing and changing at such a pace that all his nerves must be on high alert, and perhaps mommy eats something that disagrees with him, or a loud sound startles or he really doesn't like Beethoven.
This degree of empathy with baby is such that I think of my own birth and probable feelings beyond memory, and know that all babies have pain, confusion, and struggles. It's a lot of work getting situated, growing by leaps and bounds, getting crowded out, then the trauma of birth. He's got his hands full. I feel compassion therefore for my own birth and those of every other being. The being born is so precious and such a gift that it's worth the effort, and most babies have beings loving them and welcoming them to the world. But I'm going to spend some time loving those ones who are not so fortunate: those beings I may not know, but with whom I share this gift of life, and the joy of being human.
No comments:
Post a Comment