#compassion
Today, I’m feeling not so great.
Instead of focusing on just me
I’m going to extend kindness to others and see what happens
I’m asking myself
How I can be of service?
How can i better someone else’s life?
How can I turn my own suffering into grace?
An Animal Hero
Naoto Matsumura defied the evacuation orders of the Japanese government and returned to the irradiated area of Fukushima back in 2011 to save abandoned animals. He lives in seclusion with them to this day & needs funding ❤️ Donate here: https://www.plumfund.com/community-cro…/savefukushimaanimals
In addition, the Nyander Guard Animal Rescue is a small B&B that has rescued hundreds of cats and dogs in the aftermath of the Fukushima crisis. Get a pet photo in exchange for a donation here: http://nyanderguard.org/items.html and learn more here: http://nyanderguard.org/index_ENGLISH.html
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matching energy.
this world is a mean place. //survival of the fittest//. the only way to thrive (&even sometimes just get by) is to look out for ourselves. //survival of the selfish//. protect ourselves. put ourselves first. watch our own backs. because put them down to build ourselves up, right? //eyeroll//. the world is too jam packed full of ugly. there’s not enough room left for all of us to bloom… that’s what we are taught.
the irony is we really can’t get thru all this shit alone. we need each other. so where do we find our balance? I used to lean all the way towards care&compassion //100%// for my friends. I was their ~go to girl~. but I am tired of that energy never being reciprocated. my roots are dry from overwatering the rest of the garden ¬ myself fully first. I’ve got to try a new game plan. my first. //match their energy//. only care as much as they do.
because I now know how dangerous of a game it is to care about someone more than they care about me.
If your healthy boundaries upset someone, let them work it out. If your self-compassion upsets someone, let them work it out. If your well-being upsets someone, let them work it out. If your joy upsets someone, let them work it out.
Charmed by this beautiful San Martin de Porres santos hand-painted in Peru! Born December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru, St. Martin de Porres is best known for his charitable work. It was his piety that allowed him access to the Dominican order of his country, and his acts of compassion for the sick became part of the justification for his canonization as the first black saint of the Americas. You may also find it of interest, that it was a depiction of St Martin de Porres that was featured in Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” music video. ($148) #saintmartindeporres #stmartindeporres #sanmartindeporres #santos #handpaintedsantos #catholicart #peruvianart #blacksaint #charitablework #compassion #madonna #likeaprayer #peru #madonnalikeaprayer #art #decorate #gift #shop #nyc #unionsquare #beadsofparadise (at Beads of Paradise NYC)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbQ1qjdODNz/?utm_medium=tumblr
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‘Bodhicitta’ - Egg tempera, plaka and SRO linseed oil and earth pigment on panel by Daniel Mirante 2016
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If you think we can “agree to disagree” on theology so easily, I have to tell you about my old friend “Don.”
Don was a pastor who told me satan was using me. I was eager to believe Don because I didn’t want satan using me. In my impressionable young mind, I tried hard to get on his good side.
Don was the type of guy in constant lecture mode. Always condescending. But his theology only made that worse.
Here’s when I knew it was all wrong.
At the church Don was working at, a student took his own life. The lead pastor told the staff, “This is the biggest attack on our church from satan we’ve ever faced.” The student’s suicide was “spiritual warfare” against the church. Don believed that completely.
I still would’ve done anything for him. I did. I listened to Don lecture me for hours and trash talk every pastor in town and he confided in me his own deepest heartbreaks, though he never listened to mine. And even then, I was put on his list anyway: the list of people being used by satan. I feel a deep shame about all of it. Part of me still wonders, “Is Don right? Am I being used by satan?”
Don’s story of spiritual abuse is mild compared to so many stories I’ve heard over the years. My sad suspicion is that if it were not for his theology, we might still be friends.
I say that to say: Your theology matters.
If your theology demonizes others so much that even their suicide is called an attack from the devil, then hey: you are the devil. It’s you. You can go straight back to hell with that theology. Or throw it out and start over.
I know I’ve gotten it wrong too. But what I know is that if my faith ever compels me to erase someone’s dignity, then Scripture has become my weapon and not a mirror to check myself. It is a no longer a home for connecting with God, but a throne in my own image.
If your faith makes you a jerk, then what is it even for? If you harm others in the name of Jesus, in the end the only name you’re dragging is yours.
I believe that Scripture must move us to a theology of compassion, accountability, to be wildly kind. Otherwise it is not the life that Jesus had in mind. Christ is for the wounded. This is where I will be too.
— J.S.
The next time you find yourself having a disagreement with someone, consider if the way in which you conduct yourself is to demand that they show you due respect or consideration, or are you trying to establish understanding.
When we feel taken for granted or invisible in something that is important to us, we’re more likely to become defensive, aggressive, or passive aggressive in our efforts to get our point across.
If we’re not aware of our need for significance, we will go in search of significance in almost every setting.
This is how we end up yelling at cashiers, losing ourselves to road rage, and being argumentative with co-workers, as just a few examples.
Understanding why we feel insignificant is the first step towards breaking that cycle.
Understanding why those who are significant to us are not treating us with the significance that we need is the second step.
And the third step towards breaking this cycle of rage or bitterness at the world is to understand why we need such validation to feel significant before treating others in a way that is true to who we are, rather than being driven by the anger or disappointment that we feel.
Emotional mindfulness is core to the above, and having a healthy self-worth is what makes it possible to pace ourselves in our efforts towards creating the understanding and establishing the bonds that we believe will improve the quality of our relationships.
It always starts with you.
If you need help to understand what drives you to be less than who you want to be, reach out via my website at zaidismail.com or on WhatsApp at +27836599183, and let’s get the conversation started.
#selfworth #selflove #selfawareness #selfrespect #mindfulness #theegosystem #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthrecovery #ownyourshit #ownyourlife #compassion #sincerity #authenticity #lifecoaching #zaidismail (at The Egosystem)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTOlg5hq3MT/?utm_medium=tumblr
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Godliness, like humility, is lost the moment we lay claim to it.
It is something that we may exhibit in our conduct or demeanour, but not something that we can directly claim.
It is our ability to manifest the attributes of the divine in our character and in our treatment of others without wanting to appear pious or godly in our approach.
The need to claim such attributes of godliness reflects the insecurity that we feel about our standing among those around us.
The moment we’re focused on how we appear to others, we begin to lose ourselves to their validation.
Similarly, the moment we claim godliness, we lose ourselves to arrogance.
And arrogance is only required to compensate for our insecurities. It is a mask to hide our shame, or to claim our needs because we believe that we’re not significant enough for others to want to care about what we need from them.
That’s why we take, instead of waiting to be offered. Or why we insult or demean rather than advising sincerely.
It’s all a means towards demanding that our virtues be acknowledged because we feel unappreciated by those we care about the most.
If you don’t appreciate who you are, in the absence of validation from others, how can you expect others to appreciate you?
Gratitude begets sincerity, and sincerity fosters brotherhood. Or sisterhood. And claiming divinity or godliness has no place at all.
#compassion #sincerity #authenticity #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthrecovery #selfworth #selflove #selfawareness #selfrespect #mindfulness #inspiration #ownyourlife #theegosystem #forgiveness #rewards #lifecoaching #zaidismail (at The Egosystem)
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ABOUT GREEN CALCITE
Calcite comes in many colors. All Calcites are very good amplifiers and cleansers of several different energy types.
Green Calcite specifically has some pretty amazing properties. It is said to have a very emotional, compassionate vibration. It’s definitely a stone of the heart chakra. It’s very good for emotional balance and helping one find peace in difficult situations.
It’s also very good for the mind. It’s very cleansing in the sense that it can help you get past old, clinging beliefs and help you get away from your comfort zone in order to leave old, “safe” situations that are no longer in your best interest.
It’s also said to be a great abundance stone! This stone attracts prosperity and good fortune to the wearer!
I myself am an emotional lady, so I try to always carry a Green Calcite with me in my bag always. It helps me balance my energy and in my experience has a very cooling, soothing energy.
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Walk the Unarmored Path: embrace vulnerability and transmute your pain into compassion.
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#mantra #mantracard #heart #vulnerability #unarmoredpath #kindness #compassion #graphicart #graphicdesign #illustration #queerart #magick #occultart #occultism #eldritch #eldritchtree #eldritchtreeprints #phillyartist #motivationalquotes #motivation #meditation #contemplation #gaywitch #queerwitch (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHIsQ9HhUD/?igshid=mxhgk15blf1e
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Had a lovely birthday. Did everything that I wanted to do. The weather was fabulous, like how I remember it as a kid. Just a pleasant late Spring day. Even helped a little lost bat on the grand union canal
I’m so grateful for so many things, so many people in my life, who have stayed with me, when I hit rock bottom. I’m a very private person, so not much comes out in public.
These people know who they are. I’m also grateful for all the lessons I needed to learn in the last year. I did my best, some things worked out others didn’t at least I gave everything a good shot.
To everyone past and present, thank you for being in my life, it’s been a honour. I am happy in myself and it now shows in a good way. Yes, still got work to do, life in progress and all that. Anticipating the next adventure. Much love to you all. ❤ ***
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#birthday #birthdaygirl #gratitude #happiness #love #friendship #lessonslearnedinlife #honour #spring #taurus #divinetiming #synchronicity #adventure #sunshine #latespring #reiki #kellyhowell #hooponopono #forgiveness #compassion #intermittentfasting #selfcare #radiance #glutenfree #healthy #grateful #vegan #plantbased #oustudent #dreamcatcher (at Warwick, Warwickshire)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxvX_aOladZ/?igshid=1vxeewmpezwaq
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I had the opportunity to attend an online meditation retreat with the Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi and others from Buddhist Global Relief this weekend. It focused on the Brahma Viharas, which translates to The Divine Abodes, and are sometimes called ‘The Four Sublime States.’ They have also been called ‘The only emotions worth having.’
Mettā, or loving-kindness. This is a deep, gentle, heartfelt concern for the wellbeing of others and is the basis of the Brahma Viharas.
Karuṇā, or Compassion is what happens when Loving-Kindness encounters Suffering. It is the sincere wish that others’ suffering is relieved and empathizing with their pain to the point where you feel it as well.
Muditā, or Sympathetic Joy, or Altruistic Joy is what happens when Loving-Kindness encounters wholesome Happiness or Joy. It is the celebration of others’ wholesome happiness and joy, sharing in their happiness and being happy that they’re happy.
Upekkhā, or Equanimity is what balances the others. It sees the larger picture and the sameness and equality and unity of all living beings.
The four work with each other and connect to each other. If you only practice one, you will become unbalanced. If you only practice loving-kindness you can become attached to the people you direct it to. If you only practice compassion you can be overwhelmed by the suffering and the compassion can turn to pity. If you only practice sympathetic joy you can lose sight of the suffering of others and become hypocritical. If you only practice equanimity you can become indifferent to the others because everything’s the same and eventually going to end, so they become unimportant.
The real benefit to meditating on these feelings and practicing them often is that you can change your character. What you think becomes what you say and what you say becomes what you do. So, the more you think about things from these points of view and feel these emotions, the more they will saturate into your everyday life until they become your instinctual reactions. When you encounter a situation that you would normally feel anger you will feel love, compassion, and equanimity with the other person and be able to calmly and wisely approach the situation.
Overall, the retreat was a really good experience and I enjoyed it greatly while learning a lot. It gave me a lot to add to my daily meditation practice and I can’t wait to continue exploring these concepts.
You can watch the entire retreat on YouTube, here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt_a6UaknGoqf4WV-y12PbmD5COzQwxKR
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“Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.“
- His Holiness, The Dalai Lama
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#Repost @climatevegan (@get_repost)
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Yesterday Toronto held its 5th annual March to Close All Slaughterhouses! We were just one of the many marches organized in dozens of cities across five continents! Once again in Toronto we had an incredible turnout with about 800
people standing up and raising their voices for the rights of the animals whose own voices are violently silenced. This video was taken during the “die-in”, in which activists paused their marching to lay on the ground as a way to symbolically represent the deaths of the trillions of nonhuman persons killed each year for food alone, and to be with them in solidarity, as the actual recorded screams of animals inside slaughterhouses as they were dying and watching their friends die, were played over a loud speaker for all to hear. So not only did the activists scream at the top of their lungs and from the bottom of their hearts on behalf of the animals, they literally broadcast their unheard screams for all to hear, thus in some small, yet incredibly powerful way, giving them their voices back.
Here are the lyrics to the song, “Liberation” by Ernesto which was sung at the beginning of the march:
“Let me be free; free from your tyranny; it’s all I’ve ever wanted; it’s all I’ve ever wanted…. everyday they will try to convince you that humane murder is justified, but believe me I don’t want to die…. Be the voices of the silenced… let love guide you towards justice; cause I want to be happy, safe, and free; just happy, safe, and free….”
#marchtocloseallslaughterhouses #toronto #torontovegan #thesavemovement #animalrights #animalliberation #animallover #food #foodie #diet #adorableanimals #babyanimals #socialjustice #activism #animalactivism #ecofeminism #speciesism #govegan #vegan #vegetarian #intersectionalfeminism
Behind the scenes at “Ryding Regency” slaughterhouse in Toronto. This is the “holding pen” where they leave the cows to wait, anywhere from a few seconds, to a few hours, to over the period of an entire night (without food, and as far as we can tell, without water either), no matter how crowded and/or filthy the pen is, and no matter how cold/hot it may be outside, for their death. While you cannot see the “kill-floor” from this area due to the angles of the chutes that are used to squeeze the cows forward one-by-one, you can most definitely smell it and hear it, meaning that the cows can most definitely smell it and hear it; the gag-worthy, headache-inducing fumes emitted by the putrid mix of sitting blood and feces, and the at-times-extremely-loud mechanical clinking and grinding noises that would be scary-enough on their own, but in combination with the panicked bellowing of the soon-to-die and dying cows inside is utterly terrifying. These are their last moments, whether those moments last mere seconds or stretch over the entirety of a freezing Toronto winter night. If this isn’t torture, what is?
Don’t want to support such torture? Start your vegan journey here.
Learn about Toronto Cow Save and join our vigils every Tuesday morning at 9:30am.
Don’t live near Toronto? Click here for a full list of the Save groups around the world, or start your own.
Click here to buy our Toronto Save merchandise (we have t-shirts, sweaters, hats, and even dog bandannas)
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When you are on the side of compassion and love, you cannot lose.
Live with love. Live vegan.
To learn about Toronto Pig/Cow/Chicken Save and join our vigils click here.
If you don’t live near Toronto, here is a list of the Save groups worldwide. Can’t find one near your home? Start a Save group yourself!!
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Says Marc Ching from Animal Hope and Wellness:
“The owners and association that run one of the largest and oldest dog meat markets in South Korea, agree to close their slaughterhouses.
Not just the dog meat slaughterhouses, but all of them. The chicken slaughterhouses. The duck slaughterhouses. The rabbit slaughterhouses.
They told me that many local activists and international groups have lobbied and petitioned, asking for the same thing. They told me that when they come, all they do is argue and fight with them.
He said, “This is the first time ever, that someone has come asking how we can work together.”
He said, “You should feel lucky, because today is historic.”
Our first victory…
(Deeply rooted in tradition, Gupo Meat Market has been slaughtering animals for over a century.
Today marks the first time in history that they have agreed to make a change, accepting to work with our foundation.
While the process of emptying the cages still needs to be presented to the government, the hard part is over. Getting the dog meat traders themselves, to want to become something else.
This victory - let it be for the animals.)”
This post was taken from the Animal Hope and Wellness Facebook page where a short, yet beautiful video of a little dog being rescued from a slaughterhouse+farm which is currently being destroyed can be found. His name is Ari and he is one of 47 that were rescued yesterday. Thanks to this instrumental leap forward of the closing of this large slaughterhouse-chain, so many more Aris will be saved from their suffering.
While far from being the “first victory” for Animal Hope and Wellness on behalf of the animals (they have already saved the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, by dismantling individual slaughterhouses/farms and direct rescues), it is certainly one of the most monumental. And not just for the animals who are being fought for and represented by Marc Ching and Animal Hope and Wellness, but for all animals and the entire animal rights movement!! In addition to those that will be rescued, re-homed, and given a new chance at life, this victory also means that a vast number of chickens, ducks, dogs, and rabbits will now be spared from ever having to experience such sadness and pain.
Endless gratitude to Marc Ching, those who work with him, those who support him, and the “business” owners who are finally letting their true compassion shine!!
*All pictures belong to Animal Hope and Wellness and/or Marc Ching with the exception of the two pictures depicting the beautiful moment when Toronto Chicken Save, with the critical aid of Marc, rescued four chickens.
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Toronto Cow Save holds regular vigils every week. And if you would like to bear witness with us, but are not available during the scheduled vigil time, please contact us and we will organize a vigil at a special time that works for you
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