Starting Spiritual Practice
What does 'observing loving-kindness' mean observing?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
It means observing whether your own heart contains loving-kindness. Loving-kindness means being happy yourself and wishing others happiness too. This begins with ourselves and then enters daily relationships.
I saw the three Chinese characters for 'observing loving-kindness' during meditation in my early years. I did not understand them then and simply remembered them. Years later, reading 'attaining immortality through loving-kindness,' I discovered a connection and gradually understood the reminder to examine whether this quality was present in myself.
Loving-kindness and compassion can be understood separately. Loving-kindness wishes happiness for yourself, family, friends, and even those who dislike you. Compassion feels others' suffering as your own and wishes to help them leave it. Both need to be experienced and practiced in life.
I also understand attaining immortality through loving-kindness through the joyful freedom associated with immortals. Master Ji Gong represents this happiness and freedom and teaches us to learn from that heart. Leading by example and beginning with ourselves brings observing loving-kindness into actual practice.