Meditation: Compassion

Most obvious in disasters, 
we have clear and painfilled
evidence that we are joined: one 
organism living many almost-separate lives.
   
   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under 
   the weight you bear so resolutely.

The boat burns around you.
The quake crushes your child.
Chemo balds your smiling child.
Partner dead after a life together.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

Childhood destroyed by an adult.
Home desecrated; safety lost. 
Drunk driver kills child in yard.
Children taken by terrorists. 

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

My heart throbs in time with your anguish,
beats with yours and aches in sorrow 
for the moment. And in the moment 
we unite: one heart, one love, one pain.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight you bear 
   so resolutely.

Treasure that still moment - savour the pain, 
the tears, the wonder of unexpected connection: 
links that nurture growing awareness
until no-one can ignore our unity.

   I feel what you feel,
   see what you see;
   stagger under the weight 
   you bear so resolutely.

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you, and ask your blessing" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a traditional Bible reading I suggest James 1, 26-27. In the days before social security widows and orphans were the most completely vulnerable citizens.

Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep yourself from being corrupted by the world.

Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.

1. Does a word of phrase jump out to speak to you?
2. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
3. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with the word or phrase, or the word MERCY. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. 
4. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 
5. Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

At the end thank God, and return to your day.