Understanding That I Must Help

A Zen master came home one evening to find a thief running out the door with a sack full of the master’s valuables. The master watches the thief for a moment, then looks up into the night sky, seeing a full moon rising. His gaze then falls back to the fleeing thief. “I wish I could give you the moon,” sighs the master.
“Nothing can heal anger except compassion. Compassion is possible only when there is understanding. Understanding is the awareness that the other person suffers and that I must help.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Affirmative prayer: I assume a thoughtful, awakened, and gentle heart, freeing myself from the ache of ill will directed to another. I offer sanctuary to my rival, transforming their pain into my compassion, and my soul is restored. Thank you, God, forever. Amen.

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