to be or not to be on the face of the Earth

have you ever met a drug-addicted beautiful spirit living in the street? I have---in my line of work, I've met a few. More rare is one who is truly peaceful and takes responsibility for his/her actions. These people also exist, it's true. And when one of them becomes one of my students in the process of getting free from their addiction, it's hard not to want that for them---but it never works that way. Anything that I want for this person just messes them up more.
Like the one I've been working with lately, so hard not to want him to not have to suffer anymore. But what is the truth of his journey? Maybe he is too light for this place and though his spirit is scoping out the Earth, perhaps he will choose not to be anchored here. My encouraging him to succeed would be misguided, substituting a piece of my soul, my desire, for his.
The very deepest connotation that we have of human is to be humane. That is the human spirit---our offering to the universe. How does one become humane? Alas, how can it be done without experiencing inhumane? Having to change one to the other creates the energy of compassion again and again in a continual stream.
But this is brutal work sometimes, as we all know, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. So, my friend, using your drug addiction to shield yourself from the pain of this place, although suffering all the more living on the street and hungry, know that I will not wish you chained here unless you yourself accept those chains willingly. Be a bird of the night sky and fly free if that is where you truly want to be, beyond this garden of despair and hope, cruelty and love.
Terra/ Tara--- our earth is the embodiment of compassion. This is the Goddess/Spirit of our being here.