Nancy Hom present to us this mandala who honors the values of love, generosity, openness, compassion, and creativity—follow by a tribute to Yuri Kochiyama, named We Are All Part of One Another.
Interconnectedness in all of its manifestations is key to my healing. This includes being connected to my body, rather than trying to escape it,” writes Beth Patterson, one of Nalandabodhi’s karunikas.
“We are made of the love and kindness that other people have selflessly given us, and other beings benefit from the love and kindness we provide them,” writes sangha member Justin Hellier.
Sangha member Alicja Bardin writes from Poland: “I have often thought about people I know but don’t have daily contact with. We are connected, interconnected by circumstances, places, other people . . . After all, being connected is not the same as being in constant touch.”
In this article, Mitra Lee teaches: “Using our imagination enables us to expand our mind toward great love and great compassion, which are much more useful for bringing us into connection than are negative thinking and judgment. Kleshas, negative emotions, or depressing thoughts can really bring us down and cause despair, despondency, and disconnection. If we want to connect with ourselves and others, imagining, cultivating, and offering love and joy will be of much more benefit.”
Ben Mikolaj challenges us to face contempt with compassion: “Loving kindness has no exceptions. Even those who terrify, disgust, or enrage us are beings who feel pain and long for happiness. Even those who actively oppose empathy are worthy of it.”
