One day a young Buddhist on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier.
Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey, he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young Buddhist yelled over to the teacher, “Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river?”
The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, “My son, you are on the other side.”
This wise Zen parable beautifully illustrates the importance of considering perspectives other than our own to see the bigger picture. It speaks to the importance of empathy and generosity in perspective as well.
In uncertain times, it is easy to carry on with our own individual lives without much thought to the obstacles and suffering of other people, but it is in such times that it becomes even more important that we widen our scope, that we not get swept up in the winds of self-interest. Here are a few activities we can practice daily to maintain connection, empathy and loving-kindness:
- Do everything we can to stay physically healthy. Our physical health not only benefits us, but it benefits others: if I don’t get sick, I can’t spread illness to others.
- Send loving-kindness out into the universe and remember the fundamental worthiness and sacredness of all of humanity.
- Remember that times of crisis impact people differently. While one person may have the resources to keep healthy and safe, another person may be facing great illness and not have the privilege of a day off.
Now, more than ever, we are called to cultivate a great generosity of spirit. The word philanthropy is rooted in the meaning “for the love of humankind.” Do something kind for another person today, whether that’s picking up the phone and calling someone to say “hi,” or praying for someone you know and love. What a difference you can make with even the tiniest of gestures.
—Jessica Lien, Prairiewoods development coordinator