My first meditation of today started with Joe in my morning coffee. Joe has traveled a long way to reach my cup. Today, I am reflecting on others’ kindness.
The kindness shown by the person who planted the seed was amazing. They tended the coffee plants and picked the ripest beans. Kindness also came from the person or people who packaged the raw beans and sent the coffee to market. Kindness was shown by the person who purchased the coffee and sent it for processing. The processor roasted the beans. The person who packed the coffee bag or pod also showed kindness. The grocery stock person showed kindness by placing the pack on the shelf. This allowed me to find my favorite coffee.
This simple yet powerful meditation reminds me that I would not be here without the kindness of others. I am grateful to my parents and great-aunts. I appreciate the support of my family, my educators, and my doctors.
I would not have been able to retire comfortably. Living comfortably was only possible because I was hired for my chosen career at the United States Post Office. The human resources lady was kind. She took the time to hire me even though I was running late for my interview.
If I expand my meditation, everything around me reminds me of the kindness others have shown me. Even if they did not intentionally set out to be kind to me, I have still benefited from their kindness.
Why is this meditation on the kindness of others so significant to a Buddhist? It is a method for developing love for others and creating happiness for ourselves. How does it make us happy? By remembering your parents’ kindness, for example, no matter what your relationship with your mother is now. She showed pure kindness by allowing us to be born. She sacrificed her health and well-being to bring us into this world. When we were born, we were utterly helpless; someone took on the role of nurturing us, and here we are.
My kind teacher and Guru Geshe Kelsang Gyatso said, “Love is the nuclear bomb that destroys all enemies.” If you think carefully about this one line, you can see how loving-kindness changes your perspective. By developing it toward others, you have no enemies, only loved ones.
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