When I truly see another person, not just with the eyes, but with the heart, I cannot help but love the person. Understanding and love are then one, and a harmony moves between and within us each. And when I truly see that other person with the heart, I see we are essentially one, not two. In serving her, I serve myself, one serving and one being served. I seek no reward, I need no reward, not even from "God." If I truly love, why would I want a reward for loving? Love is fulfilling, and no reward can add to that, so, what more do I need? If there is a heaven that is a reward for the good we have done, the love we have shown, I would prefer to go elsewhere. To me the idea of a reward for caring for someone, a reward external to the caring itself, is illogical and, to me, totally unappealing.

She is in pain, even as her body is dying of cancer. I promise to stay with her a while, to provide support and make sure she will be okay. She does not feel like talking, and she needs restful sleep. I sit quietly. What am I doing? You could say, "Nothing," you could say, "Something." I prefer to recall the joy of simply being with, even as I recall the inward prayer that I let go of any agenda to do something, a silent prayer to enter into the sense of helplessness that opens to a more loving, more graceful being with than following the sense of need to act in some so-called helpful way. Out of this communion, arises helpfulness - but when asked for... adjusting pillows, helping with cushioning an aching body, a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator before leaving. Amazing how no agenda to love - in any conventional sense of that word - lifts a veil into the purity of compassion and, from that, loving action. What do I get from this? You could say, "Nothing," you could say, "Something." What does it matter?

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* * * CLOSING BLESSING * * *

Grace and Peace to All

The Sacred in Me bows to the Sacred in You

*Move your cursor over photos to see photographer and name of photo.

*Lotus of the Heart is a Work of Arem Nahariim-Samadhi. Bless You Each & All!