The Russian nesting dolls suggest looking much deeper than the surface to uncover the truth. I've never failed to be amazed by the layers underneath the normal exteriors of humans. Taking the time to get to know someone more than superficially makes it impossible to put them in a neatly labeled box. I was listening to a talk by Tara Brach the other day, and she had her listeners imagine coming across a cowering dog hiding among shrubbery. We talk softly to it and reach out to pet it, but the dog suddenly snaps and snarls. Immediately we might judge the dog for its behavior. But then we notice one of its legs is caught in a trap, and our hearts open with compassion because we now understand its response. The story was a good reminder not to rush to a verdict about someone because of their words or actions. You never know what inner injury lies behind outward behavior.
I know that particular Tara Brach talk you're referring to. She has some gems. Perhaps 'mirroring diversity' for this combo.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing the Mindfulness Summit too? That's where I heard this one, though I think she has written or spoken about the same thing elsewhere.
DeleteI considered it but I have so many other things on the go. Oh, the irony. I'm subscribed to her podcast so I often listen to her while I walk the pup.
DeleteThat's a good idea. One of these days I'm going to have to trade in my flip phone for a smart phone. :D
DeleteThan you can post the pics from your walk on IG :D
DeleteThis is the 7th anniversary of making our little doxies part of our family. They were adult puppy mill rejects and it was a long road to hoe, and yes I got bit a number of times. But the layers uncovered in these little dogs personality have been well worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteYour story should be called "The Saving Grace of Compassion." I'm sure your four-footed family members would agree!
DeleteThat is an interesting Temperance. Funny how some people tend to see the commonalities and others the differences. I'm reminded that both are necessary: we can't honour someone's individuality unless we recognise their differences, yet if we only see the differences we can lose sight of our common humanity (and often treat one another inhumanly). That summit sounds fascinating! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's online, so it's wonderful! Just register at:
Deletehttp://themindfulnesssummit.com/
They have a different speaker or interview with someone every day that is recorded, so you can listen to it when you have time. Some of the speakers I've enjoyed more than others (didn't care too much for Sam Harris today), but overall it's been a great pleasure.:)
I think our prejudice stems from our little brain: flight or fight! we have to make a judgement in a nano sec to survive. At least that is what we believe. It is so hard to get round our survival instinct and not to crawl back safely into the belly of the Matroesjka :)
ReplyDeleteI think you're absolutely right - it is a survival instinct. But we've been trained to use it for so much more, unfortunately.
DeleteA great card combination and post Bev.
DeleteI have to agree with the Inner whispers comment.
It's so common these days, being quick to judge instead of being open in mind and heart, to see beyond the difference, and to really understand our shared humanity.
I have neither the right nor the responsibility to judge others. This causes nothing but spiritual harm.
We live in a world desperately in need of compassion, and for me the word tolerance isn't it.
To be discerning is one thing, but to use it to separate folks into "us" and "them" is another kettle of fish. I agree about compassion; that would change a lot of things if that was our starting point.
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