Sangha Challenge: Kindness by The Path Meditation Teacher Training graduate Karen DiTrapani

Meditation time in Gilsang Temple. Photo credit by ecodallaluna

I am participating in The Path Sangha for those who have completed the Meditation Teacher Training program. This Sangha offers some extra inner work to do related to our practice in the form of monthly challenges.

Our challenge this month is to practice a kindness act every day. I have a friend who has stage 4 cancer so I send him messages every day. However, I also wanted to try to do this at work. My job can be stressful as I handle serious work related injuries. The folks calling are stressed out too! 

So, sometimes I just want to be very forceful on the phone or end a conversation, when I am feeling very frustrated.

What is happening as I practiced the kindness communication when I am not stressing, is I find in that space before I react, I am able to pause and say, "thank you for helping" or "I am happy to help you with that." Or "let me get back to you about that." Or just "thank you so much."

This has been, and continues to be a great practice for me, and I feel it is retraining my brain and emotional responses.

Thank you all at The Path!