Tibetan monks recently created a Compassion Sand Mandala at the Frist Museum in Nashville, TN. I was astounded with the infinite patience of these maroon robed men as they worked on their intricate creation. They were bent over and on their feet working for long periods. They focused intently, as they slowly poured the colored sands to form the design. To those watching, it felt like a holy event. While I stood quietly in awe, I wanted to jump up and down and say, ” This cool! This is so cool!”
Afterwards, the show’s guest book asked the audience, “How has this experience influenced you.” Personally, I felt blessed to have experienced this prayer in motion. I find the message of compassion timely, after our nation‘s division over the 2016 presidential elections.
This Mandala ritual is an important. Because we must reach out to those of opposing view points and try to understand where others are coming from. While I am politically active and sometimes disagree with others, it is important to practice compassion for those I do not understand.
