If we meditate on the kindness of others and feel deeply how we have been the recipient of so much kindness, a feeling of wanting to reciprocate or pay it forward naturally arises. It is a feeling of obligation in the sense that you will not feel good about continuing to live of the kindness of others without reciprocating in some way. This is the kind of feeling that we are trying to generate in our
meditation leading to bodhicitta, at which point our gratitude moves us to action. 

Bodhicitta is the natural result of conquering our selfishness; we see how it is completely inappropriate to be self-centred when we have been the beneficiaries of so much kindness. Once we understand the reality of the situation, we will not fall into thinking, “I’m such a bad person for being selfish.” Instead, we will see that being selfish just does not fit — it is like a round peg in a square hole, so let us chuck it. In its place will arise a strong feeling of wanting to be kind to others and wanting them to be happy, which is love, and wanting others to be free of suffering, which is compassion. Love and compassion for ourselves will also arise at the same time, which means wanting ourselves to be free from samsara.

“365 Gems of Wisdom” Volume One (January — March) e-book is out now!