The True Nature of Service.

I happened upon the most beautifully written article in this month’s Lion’s Roar magazine, and speaking to our uncanny ability to further our own pain by dismissing it with another, more virtuous thought. Written by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, it offers perhaps the most compelling insight into the true nature of service.

For example, saying to oneself, “I don’t like this situation – though, I will stay in order that I may not increase the suffering of another.” As the author states, this is “analogous to trying to clean blood off your hands by washing them with more blood—replacing one suffering thought with a better, more virtuous one.”

It doesn’t help to liberate you from your suffering. In fact, it can serve to further entrench. Though, there is this misconception that in being of service to others we must sacrifice our service to self.

When in fact, we are better poised to respond with the fullness of a heart truly centered.

In doing for others, it feels good – yes. But we can not minimize the necessity of finding our own path.

To be centered allows us to be present without the distraction of prejudice or emotion. It allows to listen deeply, to see past…to connect. In doing so, service becomes an effortless extension of our most human spirit.

It’s not ‘put on’, it’s not for show.

It just is.

As the author so eloquently suggests:

“Embrace the experience fully, opening to allow the movement of pain. When fully allowed, the expression of pain will exhaust… In the freshness of your experience, you will see your life through new eyes.”

Indeed, through the freshness of these experiences we are finally able to understand that which is before us. We see suffering as a means to liberate versus that ‘tired old story’ instead.

Because, when the energy of pain finally abates my loves – we’re left only with the richness of the experience.

Sans emotion…

Sans judgement…

Sans that knee jerk old habitry.

It is within this moment they we are finally liberated.

“What begins as suffering liberates, and the expression that arises from the openness you experience will transform your life.”

Beautifully written!

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

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