Welcome to our latest blog post from Violet Flame World – the place where we share inspiring stories and practical guidance along with the wonders of the violet flame and how to profoundly apply it in your daily life!
In this blog I would like to share some of my experiences living in one of the large cities here in America.
In recent years I have witnessed a marked increase in homelessness, drug use and addiction in areas throughout the city. Many street corners, bridges, and roadways show signs of these problems. Recently, a family member had to step over two passed-out, homeless people to get into their office.
Along with these challenges, I have noticed an accompanying increase in crime, theft and degree of addiction. Behavior has become more brazen and threatening. Even the “help needed” signs have become mocking in nature. In addition, we have a friend who used to cook and deliver breakfast tacos to the homeless – many who are military veterans. Today, our friend is no longer able to perform this service because of the change in behavior of those who are addicted and homeless.
These experiences have left me with a sense of frustration including an inner awareness of a “hardened heart” towards my fellow man.
What is the solution to these and other problems?
It is my hope that what follows in this blog post will help each of us grow in compassion and mercy. We will also endeavor to provide practical tools you can use to help create a better world.
Sympathy vs. Compassion
A close friend and mentor once asked me if I thought there was a difference between sympathy and compassion. I replied that I had not given it much thought and asked what his ideas were. He told me that sympathy, metaphorically speaking, is like jumping into the water to save someone who is in trouble and then drowning with them. Compassion on the other hand, throws a life preserver to someone who is in trouble out in the water and then helps pull them to shore.
True compassion and mercy are not sympathetic or enabling, they are transformative. This is one of the most important things to remember when you set out to help others!
Insights in Compassion and Mercy from Les Misérables
We all make mistakes, and mercy is a welcome unguent. In the 1998 classic movie Les Misérables [1], Jean Valjean has just been released from prison where he served time for stealing bread. Jean Valjean has no money and spends his first night out of prison in the home of a village priest who takes him in. During the night, Jean Valjean assaults the priest and flees his home after stealing most of his valuable silverware.
He is quickly captured and the police return him to the priest so he can be formally accused.
For Jean Valjean, this means his last hope is gone and he now faces imprisonment for the rest of his life. The priest comes to him and looks him in the eyes, and says, “My brother, why did you leave so quickly last night? You took only the silver. But I gave you these as well.” And the priest places several more golden candlesticks in his hands.
The priest saw something worth saving in this thief and extended mercy towards him. This act of mercy touched the core of Jean Valjean’s being. From that moment on, he wanted to live with honor and service towards life.
How to Grow in Compassion and Mercy
Following are some tips and recommendations for growing in compassion and mercy. We hope you will find them helpful along life’s journey!
• As mentioned earlier, mercy is not sympathetic or enabling. Mercy is transformative.
• Do not miss the Jean Valjeans who walk through your life. Mercy changes the giver as well as the receiver.
• Pray continually for mercy and always be willing to grant it to others.
• Brighten the corner where you are. The ultimate path to real, lasting, and profound change is always to change or transform oneself. The following lyrics from the song “Brighten the Corner Where You Are” wonderfully confirm this:
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do
Do not wait to shed your light afar
To the many duties ever near you now be true
Brighten the corner where you are
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed
Brighten the corner where you are
• Remember, we are all one. What impacts one of us affects all of us.
• Give violet flame often on behalf of yourself and others. As you know, the violet flame is the cornerstone of what we share here at Violet Flame World. And there are numerous blog posts on our site which discuss how it works and how to apply it!
• Refrain from criticizing others. Remember, the Master does not condemn - but does not condone either.
• Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings towards others. Our thoughts and feelings will be transparent to all in the next world so why not start upgrading them today?
• Incorporate pink into your wardrobe and decor. Mercy is a quality of the violet flame. It is the pink-ray aspect of the flame. It is a God-quality to which everyone should aspire.
• Guard your heart but always keep it open and attuned to the needs of others.
The surest path to divine mercy is the violet flame!
• Give Kuan Yin Mantras. Ask Kuan Yin to tutor your soul in the flame of mercy, for truly she is the Master Teacher of this holy attribute. These mantras also release violet flame - a high frequency spiritual energy known to improve physical and spiritual conditions as well as overcome karma!
In closing, we leave you with an original song entitled The Stranger on the Street. We hope you will find it moving and that it will further inspire you to grow in compassion and mercy.
Until next time…
Footnotes and other Info
[1] - Movie Les Misérables – 1998. View trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naIepsokKaI
[2] - Brighten the Corner Where You Are – written by Charles H. Gabriel, Ina Duley Ogdon
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