compassion, surrender, and equanimity

 

This past week was difficult, not so much for me individually, but for people I know and love. It can be described in two words: helplessness, which is what I felt, and hopelessness, which was the rock bottom truth.

It started with someone close to my heart who took ill, and required hospitalization for both evaluation and treatment. It turns out the management part of the story will require long, complicated surgery. That happens tomorrow, followed by that treacherous period when we have to wait for results, and hope for healing, while trying to keep everyone's spirits up. The trouble is I can't be there. Not that I would play any role in his surgery or treatment, but I believe in the healing grace of presence. So, I feel totally helpless.

"When you love someone,

the best thing you can offer

is your presence."

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Then I received word that a friend's husband passed away unexpectedly over the weekend...while they were travelling out West with their two dogs in their brand-spanking new RV...leaving her alone somewhere in Texas to find her way home. Without him. Without hope. Which leaves those of us who love her fraught with worry and sorrow, unable to be there for her. Unable to help at all.

"At some point

you are going to want to give up.

Consider this a reminder:

don't you dare."

~Karen Salmansohn~

Not only my little speck of the world, but the entire planet appears to be blanketed with fear, pain, dread, and sorrow. Punctuated by cruelty, indifference, hatred, and greed. Littered with broken bodies, broken hearts, and broken lives. With no end in sight. It has frustrated us by making us feel helpless. It has discouraged us with loss of hope. 

But make no mistake about it. Both the suffering we witness around us and the pain we experience in our own lives are wellsprings of deep compassion. They invite us to come together and to remain present for one another. They train us to acknowledge what is real and true in our lives, and by doing so, to embrace equanimity:

"EQUANIMITY:

mental calmness, composure, and

evenness of temper,

especially in a difficult situation."

~multiple attributions~

Compassion, surrender, and equanimity are the three healing forces that teach us what is precious and tender about this life we share. They train us to feel deeply. They teach us what we need to do in order to heal.

"It is both a blessing

and a curse

to feel everything so very deeply."

~David Jones~

jan