The Broken Finger of Compassion

I recently went on a two-day buying trip for the upcoming holiday shopping season. On this specific trip I was able to get some great buys on a variety of items including crystal jewelry and some items from Nepal. One item in particular was one that I had really hoped I would find. In fact, as I lay in bed the morning before I left on my trip I was thinking that if I found nothing else but this one item I would consider the trip a success. See, what I really wanted for the store was a large statue of Quan Yin, The Goddess of Compassion and Mercy.

As I walked into the warehouse that specializes in things from Nepal the first thing I saw was a statue of Quan Yin, sitting in a full lotus position. The statue was right beside the front desk as if it were just waiting to go. It was much larger than I had originally had in mind, the total height being around 41 inches. It is hand-carved out of teak and quite exquisite. It definitely has an energy of loving compassion around it.

There is also something unique about the statue. Somewhere in her travels one of her fingers had broken off. It’s her ring finger on her right hand. The staff at the warehouse had it taped to another finger so that it wouldn’t be lost and as I expressed interest in the statue they apologized a number of times for the imperfection.

But the more I was just present with the statue the more I began to feel that the flaw added to the perfection of the statue rather than detracted from it. To me, the flaw symbolized our own imperfections, our own humanness. I find that the statue challenges us to be lovingly compassionate, not only to others, but also towards our own flaws, our own follies, our own struggles, the places we feel we are broken. To take the concept of compassion deep within to see how complete our understanding of this powerful force is and perhaps to give it a more fuller expression in our world.

So next time you are in the store and if you feel so inclined, take a moment to be with the statue. Perhaps it will represent something completely different, and of course just as valid, for you.

I have reattached the finger but if you look closely from the back of her hand you can clearly see where it was broken.

Back to the Inspiration

Copyright Changing Times Gifts © 2003