From the dictionary’s point of view, sadness has negative connotations. If you feel sad, you feel unfortunate or bad. Or you may be sad because you don’t have enough money or you don’t have any security. But from the Shambhala point of view, sadness is also inspiring. You feel sad and empty-hearted, but you also feel something positive, because this sadness involves appreciation of others. You would like to tell those who are still stuck in their cocoons that, if they got out of the cocoon, they would also feel that genuine sadness. That empty-heartedness is the principle of the broken-hearted warrior. As an ex-cocooner, you feel it is wonderful that people of the past have gotten out of their cocoons! All the warriors of the past had to leave their cocoons. You wish you could let the cocooners know that. You would like to tell them that they are not alone.
From Great Eastern Sun: The Wisdom of Shambhala, page 9.
Carolyn Gimian, the compiler of these quotes, will give a talk online on “Gentleness and the Genuine Heart of Sadness” as part of a day of online meditation, presented on Saturday, March 27th. All are welcome, and meditation instruction will be available. The program begins at 9:30 am Eastern. To register go to: https://ocean.chronicleproject.com/courses/spring-nyinthun/#tab-course-section__overview