Goddess of the Month ~ Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin, goddess of compassion and mercy

Kuan Yin is a Chinese Buddhist goddess and bodhisttva. As a bodhisttva, Kuan Yin has pledged to stay on earth until all beings are enlightened and free from suffering. As began the passage into nirvana, the enlightened Kuan Yin, knowing we are all one, realized that she could not be truly free from suffering until everyone she left behind was also free.

As a powerful archetype, Kuan Yin serves to remind us that through compassion, mercy and forgiveness we are released from suffering, and through these practices we may assist in the release of others. But what is compassion? Is it not pity or based on judgment. It is not something we offer in order to relieve guilt or to feel a sense of superiority. Compassion is free of guilt and fear, offered from a heart that acknowledges and feels love for another and extends that love to him.  Now, look at forgiveness. Imagine a world in which people could forgive rather than suffer the wounds of wrongs done to us or by us. Hearts would be healed, anger dissipated and lives could move forward. Is that possible for you? It is if you choose to live in forgiveness as a disciplined practice. It is not easy to bypass the angry, judgmental voices of ego to do so, but isn’t it worth striving toward? Forgive others and in the process forgive and free yourself.

	Introduction Download
	Action Steps Download
	Affirmation Download
	Meditation Download

Inviting Kuan Yin into the Modern Goddess’ world

Some of the things you can do to invite Kuan Yin into your life include:
The greatest act of compassion for oneself and others is to forgive. There are things that are seemingly impossible to release, but try again and again, if necessary. Forgive and live.

As you meet, greet or simply pass by people say to yourself, “I love you”. Feel the love in your heart extend beyond you to them. Do this in all circumstances, even in a moment that might try your patience, such as when cut off in traffic, or when solicited on the street. Be the kind, loving person you were created as.

Children just want to be loved. Spend time with them; let hem know that they are perfectly wonderful just as they are. Help them to see their divinity, and through your example they will share it. The elderly just want to be loved and validated, too. Share a moment listening to them; read to them; touch them with gentle massage if they’d like. As with all people, let the children, the elderly and the infirm know that they matter as much as anybody else.

Affirmation: (Audio above) I extend love, compassion and forgiveness to myself and others, and so I am at peace.

Meditation: (Audio above) Meditation on compassion and forgiveness. (Please exchange “her” for “him”  as necessary to your healing.)

The “mani” mantra of Kuan Yin is “Om Mani Padme Hum” (pronounced Om-ma-knee-pod-may-home) is used to honor the qualities Kuan Yin exemplifies. During this meditation we will chant this nine time as we imagine situations in which to extend love, compassion and forgiveness.

Get into a relaxed, meditative position in a comfortable chair or on a bed. Close your eyes and breath deeply. As you slowly release your breath, relax and become one with the chair or mattress. Feel it support you as you continue to breathe deeply, each time relaxing more and more. Breathe, release and relax.

Now begin to speak quietly in your head, Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum three times. As you hear the words feel the love and light of Kuan Yin surround you. She will assist you in healing yourself and others throughout this meditation.

Breathe, release and relax. Om Mani Padme Hum. Imagine a situation in which you are with someone you love who needs healing in some form. Maybe they are mentally or physically ill, or perhaps they are lonely or living in scarcity. Feel the wings of your heart extend from your chest and wrap around them. See the pink love light penetrate her body and fill her heart. See her heart glow in harmony with yours. Now wrap an emerald green light around her heart, healing it and keeping the love safe within. See her smile as she basks in the glow of your love.

Breathe, release  and relax. Om Mani Padme Hum. Now, visualize someone whom you have wronged. With compassion and understanding for his feelings concerning you and the situation ask for forgiveness. Imagine him extending it. Feel the weight lift from his heart, and yours. Wrap yourself and this person in a cocoon of soft pink silken threads, lined with healing green and infuse the cocoon with love. Now look into his eyes and see your reflection. Forgive yourself, and accept it. Feel the lightness of your being and his as you both emerge from the cocoon, like butterflies, transformed by forgiveness, love and compassion.

Breathe, release  and relax. Om Mani Padme Hum. Next visualize someone whom you need to forgive and release resentment toward. Your heart tightens when you think of her which is a sign that this situation is not serving you and is keeping you from loving fully. Breathe, and when you exhale, feel the tightness unwind. Again, breathe, release and unwind. It is true that every person makes mistakes, but this situation doesn’t need to imprison you any longer. You can begin in this moment to let go of the pain. Hold the hand of your higher self, and the hand of Kuan Yin as you speak to the person “I forgive you. Go in peace”. Speak it aloud as often as you need to. It is you who will walk in peace and in the light of compassion. Feel the pink and green light shine down upon you like rays of light from the Divine. Feel your heart soften, your burden melt away and your heart grow warm. Wrap yourself in the light and carry it with you as a reminder that you are capable of great forgiveness and compassion, a force so strong that nothing can penetrate it for you have chosen the path of love.

Om Mani Padme Hum,  Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum. Awaken, feeling relaxed, refreshed, relieved and filled with love.