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(Half bell)

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(Bell)

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Dear Thay,

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I'm very grateful for your teaching[br]that is helping me over time,

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learn ways to transform my feeling[br]that I am a victim.

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I realize that I am transmitting the[br]thinking and behavior of being a victim

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from my Jewish and my Native American [br]ancestors who sufferred greatly.

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And from this practise, I have learned [br]to cultivate understanding

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and I believe, have loving my heart [br]for people who have hurt me

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but my question is, perhaps, [br]how you might advice

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that I can act and behave in a way [br]that I do not behave as a victim.

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And sometimes it is just a simple thing,[br]I regret that even times,

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here in the retreat, around many [br]wonderful people that are my friends

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but I feel like I have maybe [br]some disconnection.

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It is easier for me to just walk away [br]and not look at them.

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And then later I think, [br]perhaps I am behaving as a victim

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because I want to walk by them[br]or say hello.

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And perhaps, if you please advice me

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on a better way to not behaving[br]as a victim.

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The key of the problem is [br]how to see the suffering in them.

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Of course there is suffering[br]in these people.

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If they are happy, [br]they would not behave like that.

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Behave in such a way [br]that make you suffer

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and feel you are the victim.

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So, look and see that they are victims [br]of their own suffering.

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And so far, no one has been able [br]to help them to suffer less.

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You may be the first person[br]who can help them.

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That is process, looking deeply [br]to see the suffering in them,

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to see that they don't know [br]how to transform the suffering

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that no one so far has helped them [br]to transform the suffering

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and they continue to suffer

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and you only suffer with them.

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If you have that kind of insight[br]and compassion in you

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and you behave not as a victim [br]but as a Bodhisatva.

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Instead of trying to run away,[br]you want to stay and help.

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because you know [br]you have the capacity to help.

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Compassion goes together[br]with happiness.

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A scientist have found out that the energy[br]of compassion can heal your body,

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reduce inflammation and[br]pain in your body.

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Not only compassion can heal the mind,[br]but also heal the body.

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When you are happy,[br]you are peaceful,

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you have more energy

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and with happiness as energy and[br]compassion as the other kind of energy,

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you are ready to stay and[br]to help them suffer less.

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If you have had the experience of helping[br]other people, you have the confidence

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that in this way, you can help

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and you will not have the idea [br]of running away.

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Thank you.

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(Half bell)

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(Bell)