Kalyana Mitta

Kalyana Mitta translates from Pali as “spiritual friends”.
I am very blessed and thankful that I now have many of these people in my life.
But as I research the deeper meaning of this term, I find it truly means a Noble Friend. A Noble Friend has a deep understanding of the Suttas, Abhidhamma and Vinaya. They are also people who have loveable-ness, esteemable-ness, venerable-ness, the ability to counsel well, patience (in listening), the ability to deliver deep discourses and the not-applying oneself to useless ends.
Again, I see that I am blessed to know many of these people.
Then I realize that I want to be this person to others. I aspire to be a Noble Friend, a Kalyana Mitta.
I believe a good starting point for this is my meditation practice.

Meditation is called the Great Teacher. It is the cleansing crucible fire that works slowly through understanding. The greater your understanding, the more flexible and tolerant you can be. The greater your understanding, the more compassionate you can be. You become like a perfect parent or an ideal teacher. kalyana mittaYou are ready to forgive and forget. You feel love towards others because you understand them. And you understand others because you have understood yourself. You have looked deeply inside and seen self-delusion and your own human failings. You have seen your own humanity and learned to forgive and to love. When you have learned compassion for yourself, compassion for others is automatic. An accomplished meditator has achieved a profound understanding of life, and he inevitably relates to the world with a deep and uncritical love. (from Mindfulness In Plain English by Ven. Henepola Gunaratana)
Wow, isn’t that a beautiful explanation!
So this is my effort and aspiration. To be ever mindful and present. To open my mind through mediation, and develop a loving kindness that benefits all beings.
I may not get there in this lifetime, but I will make strides in becoming your Noble Friend.
And I extend my deep gratitude for the spiritual friendship that I share with all of you right now.
Thank you for reading.

May you be well, happy and peaceful.