In China, the Bodhisattva of Compassion has been depicted as Guanyin, an androgynous being who sits in "royal ease."
Guanyin is relaxed and aware. Their left foot is in a position of readiness, on the brink of stepping down and getting involved. They are skilled in wisdom and compassion, and dedicated to ending the suffering of all sentient beings. A bodhisattva is not a squish. As someone who saw the statue remarked, "They look like they could get shit done.”
Any one of us can be a bodhisattva. All that's required is to connect with our compassionate hearts and act accordingly.
Noticing when we've been kind to another person is not so difficult. It's an excellent practice, of course. The wise bodhisattva knows that helping others is the shortest path to happiness.
Appreciating when someone has been kind to us may require a bit more attention. It's helpful to remember to be grateful for the past kindnesses.
It's harder to notice a kindness that does not involve ourselves, but if we look closely we might see the secret bodhisattva activity that is all around us. Discovering it is as subtle as walking outside on an ordinary November day when we've been inside all morning. The air is clean, the black branches of the trees defined against the blue sky as we walk the dog around the same block for the thousandth time.
Years ago, I lost a friend in a traffic accident. Her partner who survived the crash told me about the strangers who stopped and rushed to their demolished car and held her hand while they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
I think also of these people: members of our meditation community who clean the toilet and take out the trash without fanfare, or move the dead thrush from our front porch and lay it gently to rest; the ones in my family who make everyone, no matter who they are, feel welcome in their house; the Restorative Justice team that coaches a young person in the direction of school and a career.
Be a spy in the house of kindness.
I’m having a bit of trouble being patient and kind lately - so thanks for this, I needed it. Pep talk received. Over and out.