I have three treasures
Which I hold closely and cherish
First is compassion
Second is simplicity
Third is humility
Compassion generates courage
Simplicity allows generosity
Humility creates enduring potential
This chapter reminds me of Matthew 6:21. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Compassion, simplicity, humility, all bring us into harmony and alignment with our true nature, with others, with our environment.
What are your treasures? What values to you hold closely and cherish? In what way do these values manifest in your life?
When I asked my eight year old grandson before his basketball game what was most important, I wasn’t sure how he would answer. I was delighted when he said, “Have fun. Do your best. Be nice.”
This chapter cautions us that the qualities that manifest, like generosity for example, come from the treasure. The quality, to be genuine, is naturally expressed, not forced. Indeed, the chapter goes on to caution us:
When compassion is rejected, yet courage is contrived
When simplicity is missing, yet generosity is pretended
When one abandons humility, and insists on being first
Death follows
This doesn’t mean a literal, physical death. It means that being false in any way drains our life force and empties our soul of its intrinsic strength. Conversely, when we are aligned with our true nature, the power of the universe flows through us and out into the world. Effortlessly. Beautifully. Perfectly.
The chapter ends with the observation that of the three treasures, compassion is the most essential. Like the Bible says about faith, hope, and love, “the greatest of these is love.”
My religion is kindness. ~The Dalai Lama
Compassion, simplicity, humility - yes, that's a trinity for a life worth living, Galen. And I love what your grandson said - he's got it hands down!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I know. Isn't it great that we have these grandchildren to teach us wisdom?! Hope you are doing all right, Martha.
DeleteHello Galen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I've been reading your inspiring blog (and in fact got curious about A Course In Miracles after you mentioned it in an earlier entry.)
Just wanted to say thank you for writing the way you do. Your blog is often quite nourishing.
Thanks, 3K. I appreciate the kind words. Let me know what you think about ACIM if you decide to give it a try. So glad you stopped by and commented.
Delete'Compassion, simplicity, humility, all bring us into harmony and alignment with our true nature, with others, with our environment...... being false in any way drains our life force and empties our soul of its intrinsic strength'
ReplyDeleteThanks Galen. Its interesting that compassion, humility and simplicity are the pillars of humanities spiritual foundation. For years, truth, life and love has been my focus. I knew that these three words have great power to direct our lives in such a way that enables us to flow with the direction Tao/God leads us in the spirit. Simplicity of living is very attractive to many of us, who are draw to the spiritual side of our being. Compassion seems to come from the heart and we know that it is very close in meaning to love. Patience is used instead of humility in some versions of this chapter. Which makes me wonder about the connection between humility and patience. I suppose a life lived humbly, will naturally result in patience, because it fosters forbearance toward others. When we live an humble, simple and compassionate life we live as if being in flow with universal spiritual principles that are proven to work over thousands of generations within human communities.
I enjoyed reading your post, Galen.
Thanks, Brian. I always enjoy reading your comments. You always add some perspective, reflections, and depth to the conversation.
DeleteThe characters used to convey humility or patience mean "not daring/presuming to be first." I can see why one could interpret that to mean either humility or patience.
I always enjoy your posts, Galen. Years ago I went through the books of ACIM. and one line stays with me on a daily basis: "I am not a body, I am free, for I am still as God created me."
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember that one. Some of the lessons stay with me too. Thanks for stopping by, DJan. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
DeleteHi Galen, this is like a trinity for personal flow where the inner you flows naturally into what we do and who we are in contact with. My hubby asked me from the passenger seat, as I was driving along and giving someone on the side of the road a smile and a small wave (to say thanks for keeping their dog to one side) - he asked me if I knew them. I said no, just being nice because it feels good. It's in these moments I feel that flow with the three features. Simplicity can be a tough one in today's world, as many people just don't want simple or can't accept simple. Everything is made so complicated and knotted up, so I think that is the hardest one for me. Lovely post :>)
ReplyDeleteI love your example of connecting with a stranger in a positive way.
DeleteAbout simplicity, I know. I wrote before about trying to slog through a thick, complicated book written by my teacher's teacher about Taoist healing practices. I finally called my teacher and asked, "Does it need to be this complicated?" "No," he answered. "Can we talk about it some more?" I persisted. "No," he said. "The answer will be the same."
So there you have it! Ha!
Ha! Indeed!
Delete