When we are curious about another's personal history,
We also nurture our understanding and compassion.
This is especially important when we are angry with someone.
Whenever we meet an angry,
Mean,
Greedy,
Or insensitive person,
It can be helpful to imagine how they got that way.
No one is miserable to others without having been treated poorly themselves.
Let's explore a simple way to expand our ability to feel compassion for someone we are holding outside of our heart.
Allow the image or thought to arise of a person for whom you are holding angry feelings.
This can be a political figure,
Someone who just cut you off on the highway,
Or someone at work or in your family.
Anyone you are upset with will do.
Just notice what goes on inside when you think of this person,
Without pushing away or anything or adding judgment or blame.
Letting that image or thought be with whatever you experience for a few moments.
Now,
Allow our curiosity to arise about this person's background.
What could have happened in their life to make them behave this way with others?
What might have happened when he or she was a child?
A teenager.
Adding whatever you do know about this person's background,
Use your imagination and curiosity to expand the picture.
Just notice what comes up without judging or blaming.
Be with your experience for a while.
What happens now if you try to place the image or thought in a certain way?
What happens now if you try to place the thought of this person or their image in your heart?
Is there still some resistance?
Has there been a shift in your feelings?
It can be helpful to do this work whenever you have been caught up in anger.
Over time,
The mind will more easily include an expanded,
More compassionate understanding of others and yourself,
And there will be less anger.
Now,
Gently let go of the image or thought of the person you have been working with.
Please bring your awareness back to the present.
Before we continue with the next and final experience of this talk,
We will allow the mind to quiet down.
Simply return your focus to the breath for a few moments.
Just notice what's happening.
Please return your focus to the breath for a few moments.
Our hearts will only really be open to others as much as we can allow love to flow through us.
When loving energy is flowing,
Compassion is its natural expression.
