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THINK about Compassion:
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 “Deep inside, I think we all want to be appreciated for who we are ...” |
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 “Deep inside, I think we all want to be appreciated for who we are and when this happens, it is the happiness that really counts!”
—YONTEN (Tibetan)
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 “I have not always been especially compassionate towards others because I expect people to live at their highest potential. India taught me that sometimes only compassion and gratefulness are appropriate and that judgments won’t get you anywhere. In the US we are materially rich but spiritually devastated. We put emphasis on products and not on relationships. I’ve realized how much I have to be grateful for. Now I know in my heart I have nothing to complain about. Thinking like this is very effective for cultivating compassion, and my critical mind has changed very dramatically. Since that trip I am the happiest I have ever been.”
—EMILY (American) |
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“In the book Ancient Wisdom and Modern World the term “unconditional love" refers to the love that a mother gives to her child every time without hoping for anything in return. A mother can sacrifice everything and anything for the sake of her child. So the love of mother is unconditional and very much needed to establish happiness and peace in the world. Through this very unconditional love of a mother, a good hearted child can be born who cherishes his/her life in a good way, and makes his/her friends and society happy!!”
—DONGBU (Tibetan) |
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 “I believe that unconditional love is when you give with no expectation of return…where you can give someone your love without needing anything back. There isn't any force involved. You are not forcing your love on the person because that would be expecting them to receive it.”
—JEREMY (American)
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 “I think that happiness is the innermost feeling that a sentient being feels when he/she attains a genuine and peaceful state of mind. It can be only attained by practicing compassion and pity toward all beings. We need to be concerned about and care for others as much as we care for ourselves. Think of your need and that it is also needed by another being like you, even a small creature. Then you will feel very secure, loved, cared for and befriended by all as you did towards them. Once you attain this genuine peace of mind, you will be happy. So, I wish my happiness be the same as yours.”
—PALDEN (Tibetan) |
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 “I think to have happiness for whom ever, the first thing that we humans can do is to be peaceful and compassionate. You may notice that the Dalai Lama is a very happy person, but there is no magic for him. The main thing is he is a peaceful person.”
—NGAWANG (Tibetan) |
TOOLS & ACTIVITIES:
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 The Caring Continuum |
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The Caring Continuum |
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Throughout this journey we’ve been developing a new awareness of and concern for ourselves and others. Hopefully we’ve moved from a place of apathy to a place of empathy. Caring about ourselves and others is on a continuum; at one end there is apathy, where we just disconnect and don’t get involved (with others and even with ourselves). Sometimes it’s easier that way — it’s less risky and doesn’t require a commitment on our part. At the same time, it can also get quite lonely living from this perspective
it also challenges our quest for lasting happiness.
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At the other end, there are some of us that get way too attached to other people’s pain. It’s as though weve morphed our body into the other person’s and merged with their heart. Although sympathy is a very natural emotion and we might believe it’s the kindest thing we can do to suffer with someone else, it really doesn’t help anyone when were disabled by someone else’s suffering. Instead, the person we’re consoling ends up having to take care of US!
The best thing we can do is find the middle ground — empathy. We learn to have empathy by recognizing someone else’s pain, yet maintaining our own separate feelings. We can put ourselves in someone else’s shoes
but we bring our bodies with us. We learn to care and be strong!
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 Compassion in Action |
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Compassion in Action |
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Compassion develops from empathy. We need to be able to recognize someone elses pain and have the Will to Care (empathy) before we can show any understanding or warmth towards that person through the Will to Act (compassion). Every human being has this innate capacity for empathy, which is our primary source of compassion. Beyond our desire for happiness and our hope to diminish hardship in our lives, compassion is what truly unites us all.
So, compassion in its truest sense means a feeling of connection with others. It is what helps us feel love, affection, kindness, gentleness, generosity of spirit, and warm heartedness for others in their tough times. While compassion is considered an emotion, starting with a feeling of empathy, it also taps into our ability to reason. It requires a decision to do something and then the Will to Act. Compassion goes moving beyond simply recognizing someone elses pain, to having the courage and determination to respond in a way that is real and from the heart. Sometimes what is compassionate is to do nothing. It might be more empowering for someone who is continually rescued by others to give them the opportunity to find the strength and resilience in themselves to resolve their own issue. In this way compassion requires us to figure out what action is best in that situation, and what EMPOWERS the person in need. Compassion is also real when it has no expectation of reward. So, compassion is really a selfless act
based on a connection to another human being and a wish for them not to struggle alone. If we feel we dont know how to help someone, then at the very least we should not hurt or harm them.
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 Packing Self-Compassion for the Journey |
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 Forgiveness is... |
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Forgiveness is... |
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(Source: Dr. Fred Luskin, Forgive for Good.) |
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