What is compassion?
Compassion is a quality that allows one to renounce evil towards another living being due to the awareness of the possible suffering that a person’s actions will entail. Compassion is the understanding that humanity is higher than those desires and base impulses that can be satisfied by causing suffering to others. This applies to both crimes and more everyday things, such as methods of manipulation, resentment, tyranny, anger, greed, anger and so on. Compassion counters any sins that cause harm to others, not only in other people, but also in oneself. After all, the first thing a truly compassionate and kind person will do is stop bringing suffering to other living beings through their words, deeds and lifestyle.
Compassion is the ability to refrain from actions that would result in the suffering of others, as well as the desire to reduce the suffering of other living beings.
Such a quality as compassion is a certain form of sacrifice of one’s interests for the sake of peace and joy of others. Despite the fact that sacrifice most often involves low and ignorant habits, this is all perceived very hard and negatively. After all, any victim goes through his own pain. On the other hand, inflicting pain on others is much easier and somehow more common than on oneself. Compassion points out our inability to change for the sake of others, for the sake of those for whom we live, act and work.
We often notice only one side of the coin, preferring to ignore the fact that even the fulfillment of worldly duties does not guarantee a good attitude towards us from those around us, since it is the lack of compassion that prevents us from seeing our own actions in their objective reflection. In other words, due to selfishness, we are not able to see that we are behaving incorrectly, preferring to justify our actions, look for those to blame and deny responsibility for the suffering of our neighbor . This is more like egocentrism, the center of which is the reluctance to feel remorse, because we all understand that even if we are not to blame, the suffering caused by our actions will not disappear anywhere.
Compassion sincerely shows us that it is better to endure pain ourselves than to bring pain to others. As we know, desires, ignorance and aspirations are at the root of causing suffering to other living beings. When we really want to get something, we are ready to cause suffering to others. When we try to take out our inner dissatisfaction with life on others, we ignore the fact that we ourselves are capable of dealing with it. Lack of compassion makes a child out of a person, who himself is not able to reach his toy, and therefore constantly cries, gets offended and runs away from everyone. Such behavior may indicate immaturity and infantilism of the individual. But is it really possible to imagine an old holy sage who, because of his dissatisfaction, will cause suffering to other people, prove to them their inadequacy, take out insults, anger, fatigue and malice on them? This is impossible to imagine, since we all understand that the ability to understand one’s feelings, self-control and refusal to cause suffering to other living beings for the sake of one’s own desires are signs of a mature personality, which does not depend either on the movement of one’s own mood or on the attitude of others towards it .
How does it manifest itself?
Compassion is manifested in not causing suffering to others because of desires, dissatisfaction, or one's own suffering. This is the case when we are able to restrain pain or strong desires within ourselves, realizing that they can bring pain to others. A very young lover strives to put his beloved on a chain, declaring that only with him she will be better. This immature behavior is the essence of selfishness , which is contrary to compassion. A mature personality is more likely to give a person the opportunity to make a choice on his own, without playing on feelings, threatening or issuing ultimatums. Strong dependence on the outcome of an event in which violence must be used is an indication of a childish nature. Immaturity is a person who has not gained independence and is simply looking for a more profitable dependence that can bring as much pleasure as possible and as little suffering as possible.
A person who is satisfied with himself is one who has found the source of happiness in himself. Immature people cannot do this, and at the same time, compassion gives the opportunity to draw happiness from themselves. Conscience and understanding of one’s own rightness are one of the most important conditions for inner peace. If we are able to see that our happiness rests on the suffering of others, will we look at it? No. Rather, we will close our eyes and look for various excuses in the spirit of “the end justifies the means” or “if I hadn’t caused them suffering, then others would have done it.” In the end, a person can directly admit to himself that his own well-being is more important to him than the well-being of others - and this is a sign of the inability to find happiness for himself, within himself is an indication of immaturity.
A mature person is compassionate. His inner principles and conscience stand above base impulses, impulses or desires that lead to causing suffering to others, deception, violence, manipulation and use of others for his own purposes. The possibility of refusing these actions is dictated by knowledge, the root of which is the ability to see the consequences of one’s actions. A reasonable person recognizes that happiness obtained from the suffering of others can neither satisfy nor bring happiness to oneself . Therefore, he, realizing his actions, thoughts and deeds, is able to refuse such actions without causing suffering to other living beings.
The desire for one’s own happiness, which comes from within oneself, is not selfishness, it is human nature , the real “I”, and therefore, even if it may seem that a person’s desire to find happiness in this way is just selfishness, then it is the same That it is selfish to say that a deer’s desire to drink water is contrary to logic. Finding happiness is one of the goals of human life and coming to it through knowledge and compassion is the best way to find happiness.
Compassion is shown not only by not causing harm, but also by trying to help others get rid of suffering. The example of the Good Samaritan indicates that compassion should apply to all living beings, not to mention all people. Of course, we must beware of those who seek to use kindness for their own selfish purposes, but this is not a reason to refuse everyone, much less cause suffering. To deceive is a vice, but to be deceived is atonement. This is not immediately realized, but over time the understanding comes that compassion, which gave us the opportunity not to respond to evil, gave us the opportunity to become better and mature much stronger than revenge.
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Compassion can manifest itself when we see that our abilities and capabilities can reduce someone else's suffering. This does not require astronomical sums or incredible work; sometimes a word or small action is enough to show significance to another person. Saying a nice word, showing patience and sympathy, fulfilling your duties properly and not demanding the same from others are manifestations of compassion.
So, compassion manifests itself in:
- refusal to cause suffering to others
- desire to alleviate the suffering of others
- awareness of the suffering of another living being
Why is compassion important?
Compassion is valued as a virtue, a manifestation of conscience, knowledge and purity of a person’s heart, even humanity itself. Low people are not able to experience compassion, because they cannot control themselves and for them the fulfillment of their desires is more important than the happiness of others. The desire for compassion and its manifestation is a sign of high humanity, a sign of the right path. Indeed, in essence, compassion means that a person does not need to succumb to his low habits and aspirations for the sake of a crime against conscience. The heart and conscience of a compassionate person are pure, and therefore happiness is revealed to him. But can happiness be revealed in a desecrated heart? Obviously not. Compassion cleanses the heart, giving us the opportunity for redemption and forgiveness, which elevates us above any vices: anger, greed, envy, lust and others.
We value compassion as a quality that does not destroy our own happiness, that extends a helping hand to those who have fallen and to those in need. But would people do this if compassion itself did not inspire them with pure happiness? This way of acting purifies a person’s heart and thoughts, these are the qualities of sacrifice for the benefit of another, the quality of serving others. But this is not the service that a dog performs, this is the service that angels perform. Is it possible to look at a dog from below, is it possible to look at an angel from above?
First of all, compassion is a guarantor of one’s own happiness and peace, as well as the ability to clearly realize that our own life is not a source of suffering for others. If our actions bring suffering, this very often means that we are driven by vices, and therefore we should think about whether we are showing the proper degree of compassion. Resentment and anger on the part of other people is undoubtedly a sign of their suffering inside, but understanding that they are only saying that they are hurt, will we cause them even more pain? Are we going to beat a soldier wounded in battle simply because he screams loudly in pain? The ability to compassion is the ability to look at people not from one’s own egoism, but from an awareness of their situation. Compassion makes it possible to see the hearts of others, since most are driven only by their own suffering and inability to find satisfaction in this life.
Compassion for the people in our lives
Let us remember the well-known parable about heaven and hell. The parable talks about two identical rooms, with large cauldrons in the middle, in which soup was prepared. People lived in each room, but in one room they were exhausted from hunger, and in the other they were well-fed and contented, although both of them had long spoons to scoop food from the cauldron. The spoons were made of metal, and only at the very end of the handle there was a wooden handle. When the inhabitants of the first room lowered the spoons into the cauldron, they became very hot, people got burned and dropped them without receiving food. And in the second room people learned to feed each other - this was heaven. The solution turned out to be so simple.
This parable is not only about cooperation and mutual assistance, but also about the feeling of compassion. It shows that sympathy must be effective, that our lives depend on our actions. We can feel sorry for others as much as we want, but only our actions, and not pity at all, can help a person and bring him benefit. Konstantin Nikolsky has the words in his song: “I am kind, but I have not done good to anyone” - these words are about many of us. We know how to sympathize with others, but only a few are able to offer real help to their neighbor.
Everything in a person is mixed - kindness, sympathy, love, acceptance, combined in us with cruelty, indifference and even ruthlessness. We cannot be kind and compassionate all the time, just as we cannot be angry and dislike people all the time. It’s just that at certain moments in life, either one or the other side prevails in us. If we are not compassionate enough, then others will see us as rude, callous and selfish people. But having an overly developed sense of compassion will also not benefit either us or our environment. For example, such a person will constantly be taken advantage of by other people, he may forget about his needs, and sometimes about the needs of his family. Thus, some compassionate women, starting to help homeless animals, cannot stop in this endeavor, and as a result, their home becomes like a shelter. In connection with the above, we need to remember a truth as old as the world - there must be a measure in all our manifestations. And in such a wonderful feeling as compassion and sympathy, there should remain a share of prudence.
If you feel that, on the contrary, you are becoming bitter and losing the ability to compassion, it means that the time has come for changes in your life. After all, without any reason, we do not become cynical and callous. Perhaps you yourself lack sympathy and understanding from your loved ones and you yourself are in a state of apathy and indifference.
Take the first step towards people, because everything in life begins with ourselves and our actions. Look around and you will definitely find someone who needs you. Do something nice for him just like that - selflessly and without expecting anything in return. The only way to learn compassion is through love and acceptance. Then you yourself will feel a surge of positive emotions and feelings. And inspiration and joy from what you have done will decorate your world with fresh, bright colors.
Tags: kindness, compassion and mercy, compassion for people, compassion, feeling of compassion
Compassion and the spiritual path
Compassion is correlated with the spiritual path - as one of the most important qualities that is necessary to begin progress on it. Compassion allows you to give up various material benefits for the sake of others, give up your material desires and act based on the desire for true good, and not temporary. Having dedicated himself to the spiritual path, a compassionate person must set a positive example in order not to become a source of temptation for others. Without many virtues, it is unlikely that one can really advance on the spiritual path, since it, without a doubt, is the complete opposite of the material one. On the spiritual path we renounce desires, and on the material path we strive for them. The spiritual path brings us purification and happiness, while material activities defile and condition us, involve us and make us dependent.
The most important manifestation of compassion on the spiritual path is the ability to refuse and refuse. True compassion moves a person towards eternal, spiritual good and the renunciation of various honors, pleasures and satisfaction of desires, in the context of compassion, is the realization that one’s own satisfaction cannot serve as a deliverance from the suffering of others, but on the contrary will serve as a source of many troubles. Therefore, refusing to use others for your material desires, realizing that this will lead to troubles, is a manifestation of spiritual compassion.
Compassionate refusal means not only the ability to say "no" to another person's desire to commit an indecent act that will cause suffering to others, but also the ability to withhold knowledge from another if there is a clear understanding that that person will use it for his own selfish purposes or if there is understanding that he will not understand them. Such compassion leads to the possibility of gradual growth of those around us, like any living being. If we strive to give knowledge to others out of false compassion, then this often results in suffering, since both the selfish and the unprepared for understanding will never reveal the truth, but will be able to use knowledge to justify their bad actions, which is a sign of lack of compassion.
Compassion is the ability to give up impulsive actions and desires, recognizing the pain of others and the possible suffering that subsequent actions will bring to others. It is also a desire to alleviate the suffering of other living beings, not only humans, but also animals. Compassion is a sign of a mature personality, since only a mature personality realizes that each person is essentially equal in his suffering and will experience pain if it is caused to him. The absence of egoism in a mature personality makes it possible to look at others not through the prism of one’s ego or desires, but truly, perceiving them with one’s heart, just like the observer himself.
With the help of compassion, a person is able to cleanse himself, as well as give a positive example and inspiration to others, also cleansing them both from suffering and from apathy and powerlessness.
Compassion is the ability to help others and through this, sacrificing oneself, atone for one’s previous sins, which every person has. Purification and atonement will allow you to experience happiness, just as wiping a window allows more light to leak through it. The source of happiness is always located within a person, and having freed perception from low aspirations, we will be able to feel it more and more. Good luck.
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Sympathy, Compassion and Empathy are very important positive human qualities, I would say that these are the abilities of a spiritually mature Soul. The souls of a person who has experience and has gone through a lot and experienced a lot in life.
Some consider compassion and empathy to be weakness or unnecessary emotions, nuns, etc., but this is not the right attitude.
Anyone whose heart is not capable of compassion and empathy deserves only this very compassion and sympathy, for cruelty lives in his heart and God (Love) does not live. In addition, it is very important not to confuse compassion with pity.
Compassion is a bright feeling that strengthens the one to whom it is directed. And pity is a dark and destructive feeling, and it always makes the one who is pitied even weaker and more insignificant. Compassion is a sign of Generosity, and pity is an indicator of cowardice! Read more about Pity here. What is Compassion and Empathy? Compassion and Empathy are the ability of the soul to empathize, that is, to understand the feelings of another person, to understand what is happening in his soul (to understand and empathize with his victories and joys, suffering and pain). They say that if you are capable of compassion, then you have a heart, and in your heart there is love. And it is true. A person can experience compassion only on the basis of the experience of his soul, that is, his soul remembers (even if the person himself does not remember it) when it itself was in a similar situation (in a past life or in this one) and what it experienced then (good or bad) ). About Compassion and Sympathy About Compassion, Sympathy and Empathy: Only a spiritually rich Soul, with rich life experience, which has passed its tests with dignity, has not become angry, has not become hardened, has not accumulated resentment and anger towards its fate and towards God, is capable of compassion and empathy. , but kept love, humanity, faith, bright feelings in my heart. Such a person is able to console and encourage another who finds himself in a difficult situation and help him, and not drown him in suffering with his pity. Compassion is a bright feeling when a stream of light energy (positive experience, feelings) comes out of a person’s spiritual heart and enters the heart of another person, brightening, healing and helping him survive his grief. Compassion does not mean suffering with a person, it does not mean dragging the problems and negativity of another onto yourself, it does not mean killing yourself with him, tearing him and your heart apart, no! This means healing, including with the truth, being able to speak it with compassion and love, even if it is very bitter. Compassion and empathy presuppose subsequent acceptance of the problem (even the most painful one), the whole truth about oneself (recognition of one’s sin, one’s wrongfulness) and an active solution to this problem - “Any trouble must be eliminated!” True sympathy, as a rule, does not end with empathy alone, but involves some kind of active action to help someone who really needs this help. Pity in itself is fruitless and does not imply any active and useful actions. Compassion and generosity About Pity: Pity is a dark feeling, the essence of which is: “Let’s suffer and destroy ourselves and each other together...”, “Why will you suffer alone, let’s together - I’ll pity you, you’ll pity me, we’ll suffer to the fullest.” , we are eating away at our soul, blaming fate, we will complain to each other about how unfair the world is, how hard life is... so you look and you won’t have to do anything...” Complaining does not imply active actions to eliminate the problem. Pity destroys a person’s faith, bright feelings in the heart, kills Love, although many people mistakenly believe that pity is one of the qualities of love. This is wrong! Pity is, in its purest form, an indulgence (justification) for that evil in a person (his negativity, vices and weaknesses) that kills this very love! And as long as a person regrets and justifies his evil, it will always live in him and destroy the soul until it grows to limitless proportions and destroys the person. There is one of two things here - either you are it, or it is you, there is no third option! Every normal and worthy person needs to learn to clearly distinguish between Sympathy and Pity. Learn to feel and understand the experiences of others in such a way as not to feed into them everything that is dark, unworthy, vicious and weak, but, on the contrary, to encourage them to free themselves from everything that is nasty and destroys their soul. So that instead of a disgusting feeling of self-pity, helplessness and insignificance, a person begins to feel strength, positive charge and determination to cope with all problems, to pass any tests of fate with dignity and honor! And so that he feels that he is understood, loved, believed in and will always be helped.
