hurt people hurt people

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”

​–Thich Nhat Hanh

In Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness Explained, he explains that one of the highest levels of consciousness is “love.”

An extremely simplified explanation of the state of love is to approach everything and everyone with love, even if they do not exhibit love towards you; although, if you are in a constant state of love, this is not being in love, then you will attract love and kindness from most people and things you come across.

But there will always be someone who is suffering and unable to return the love you are putting into the Universe. While it is easy, and even justified in your mind, to be rude or to ignore that person, the right reaction is to continue to love that person.

There are opportunities to practice staying in a state of love throughout the day.

If someone doesn’t begin driving as soon as the light turns green, stay off the horn.
If someone cuts you off while driving and it’s not an accident-threatening situation, skip the middle finger and cussing.
If you walk past someone and don’t know them, simply smile.

Just like any sport or skill you work on, the more you practice the easier it will be to maintain your consciousness at the level of love, which will come in handy when life tests you in ways much more difficult than traffic and walking by strangers.

One final way to keep your consciousness elevated, especially when dealing with people, is to remember the quote above from Thich Nhat Hanh–and individual is not causing you to suffer because of YOU; it’s because they are suffering. And only operating at the level of love will allow you to give them the space, grace, and support to get better—the normal response will only add to their suffering.

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See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC