Affectionate disposition

Oasis

Have you noticed how you really enjoy meeting up with some persons because they are generally cheerful and interested in you? Then, of course, there are the ones we avoid because they look and act like they have been sucking on lemons all their life.  According to His Holiness, the 14the Dalai Lama, we are able to cultivate a cheerful attitude, and in so doing we will be helping ourselves as well as others.

He instructs, "Now let us look at the last moment of our lives - death.  Even at the time of death, although the dying person can no longer benefit much from his friends, if he is surrounded by friends his mind may be more calm.  Therefore, throughout lives from the very beginning, right up to our death, human affection plays a very important role." Not surprisingly, perhaps, if we cultivate a loving disposition, it affects our health.

The living Buddha reminds us, "An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too. On the other hand, hatred, jealousy and fear upset our peace of mind, make us agitated and affect our body adversely.  Even our body needs peace of mind, and is not suited to agitation. This shows that an appreciation of peace of mind is in our blood."

Confrontations are to be eliminated through an affectionate disposition even towards our enemies.  Communication expressed with affection may bring about resolution to a conflict, but even if this doesn't happen, you won't be getting sick over someone else's refusal to work toward the mutual resolution of a problem.

His Holiness points out, "Therefore, although some may disagree, I feel that although the aggressive side of our nature is part of life, the dominant force of life is human affection. 
This is why it is possible to strengthen that basic goodness which is our human nature."

One way of strengthening our affection comes by studying what works in our lives and what does not work.  In this way we are able to reach certain conclusions.

The Embodiment of Compassionurges us to think deeply about the way we are living.  He says, "We can also approach the importance of compassion through intelligent
reasoning.  If I help another person, and show concern for him or her, then I myself will benefit from that.”