Compassionate Present Moment Awareness

After morally distressing events, it’s important to reflect on how we got there, and plan to protect and repair. When reflection becomes rumination, and planning becomes worry, it’s time for compassionate present moment awareness!

Genuine Broken Heart
Ani Pema Chodron

In the very middle of the chest, deep, deep inside
Something has broken
And it hurts almost all the time.
Sometimes it gives birth to anxiety, fear, and panic.
Sometimes it gives birth to anger, resentment and blame.
Sometimes it gives birth to tears.
This is our kinship with all who have loved truly—
From beginningless time.
You, my dear friend, understand it well
This genuine heart of sadness can teach us great compassion.
It humbles the Arrogant and softens the Unkind.
This genuine heart of sadness can teach us great
Fearlessness.
It awakens Those who prefer to sleep and pierces through
Indifference.
This continual ache of the human heart—
Broken by the Loss of all that we hold dear
Is this not a blessing
Which when accepted fully—can be shared
With all?