Real Happiness at Work by Sharon Salzberg

Author:Sharon Salzberg
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Published: 2013-06-04T16:00:00+00:00

MEDITATION: Loving-Kindness for Caregivers

Whether you care for a young child in school, aging patients, at-risk teenagers, an anxious client at work whose needs are pressing upon you, or a community that demands a lot of you, any skillful relationship of caregiving relies on balance—the balance between opening one’s heart again and again, and accepting the limits of what one can do. The balance between compassion and equanimity. As mentioned earlier, compassion can be thought of as the trembling of the heart in response to suffering. Equanimity is a spacious stillness that can accept things as they are. The balance of compassion and equanimity allows us to care, and yet not get overwhelmed and unable to cope because of that caring.

The phrases we use reflect this balance. Choose one or two phrases that are personally meaningful to you. There are some options offered below. You can alter them in any way, or use others that you have created out of their unique personal significance.

To begin the practice, take as comfortable a position as possible, sitting or lying down. Take a few deep, soft breaths to let your body settle. Bring your attention to your breath, and begin to silently say your chosen phrases over and over again, in rhythm with the breath. You can also experiment with just having your attention settle in the phrases, without using the anchor of the breath. Feel the meaning of what you are saying, yet without trying to force anything. Let the practice carry you along.

“May I offer my care and presence without conditions, knowing they may be met by gratitude, anger, or indifference.”

“May I find the inner resources to be able to truly give.”

“May I remain in peace and let go of expectations.”

“May I offer love, knowing I can’t control the course of life, suffering, or death.”

“I care about your pain, yet cannot control it.”

“I wish you happiness and peace but cannot make your choices for you.”

“May I recognize my limits compassionately, just as I recognize the limitations of others.”

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