Writing A Note To Someone About Compassion
Table of contents for The Spiritual Side
http://fresh-perspectives.net/2008/01/spreading-the-love-via-compassion.html
I was tagged by Pearl and asked to write something about the ________ of compassion. And right away as you can see I am at a loss for words or at least one word. What word should I put in that space? Concept? Emotion? Presence? Expression?
What word would you put down? For awhile I was thinking about putting emotion on that line. For instance you might say I was asked to write something about the emotion of love. Or I could say that love is an emotion. But emotions come and go in a minute or an hour. I am not sure if I could depend on someone who acts in a compassionate way only when they feel like it. I doubt that I would call them compassionate.
Maybe compassion is an ideal state of being. Perhaps it is something we strive to experience in our daily lives. When we have moved further down the path of spiritual enlightenment we will be compassionate human beings.
But for now we spend most of our time trying to survive and move forward in our own lives. And compassion is something we may feel for a sick puppy or a close friend who has had an accident. It is a moment in our lives that we remember (probably) because we actually stopped thinking about ourselves!
Sometimes there is not a word that exactly fits in a space like the one above. If there always was a word and it was as easy as that maybe there would be no need for poetry in this world.
In my opinion compassion is a way of looking at life. So I would say, “I was asked by Pearl to write something about the way of compassion”. And maybe that doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. But I associate it with another phrase. We all understand what it means to practice a “way of life”.
A way of life is the daily life of one who has established it. It is not something that is thought about or felt every moment of the day. But it is always there and at any given moment it may step into the center of our conscious activity.
But some ways of life are greater than others and compassion is not, for example, a political idea. It is sometimes used by both sides to promote certain arguments. However it is necessary to look beyond the words and ideas to see if it is present. And it would also be a good idea to come back tomorrow or next month after the debate has been finished. If it is the way of the person in question it should still be found in their actions as well as their thoughts and words long after everyone has gone home.
If it were the way of the world then the world would be a much better place. But it is not and so we depend on those who have found the way to make inroads into the world. How do we know who they are?
If you are suffering they will try to help you without even thinking about it. It is an instinctive response. And if you are not suffering?
They will look into your eyes and share something with you. Just a little something to take with you on your way.
Updated/ Friday 8:45 am
http://themiddleway.net/2007/12/21/spread-the-love-now-group-writing-project
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7 responses so far
I would put the word “ACT” in the space, now of course this is just my humble opinion, but if you do not “act upon compassion” does it exist in the first place?
Some people wear ribbons and shirts to show they care or are compassionate, but isn’t that just style over substance, compassion should be an act seen only by the those who give and receive. Everyone can feel compassion but not everyone will act upon it, I don’t know am I making any sense David it has been a long week
Yes. You make a lot of sense. That word did not cross my mind when I was thinking about it. But it is a good word. And today is Friday so we can hopefully rest and catch up on our sleep. Always appreciate your insights Bernie. How’s the team doing?
Hey David, thank you for this entry. A very unique perspective, one that really made me think. Thank you again.
Thank you Albert. And thank you for reviewing this post in StumbleUpon. I appreciate it.
Thanks guys. Everyone here has an very interesting blog. I am discovering a whole new direction in terms of my reading habits.
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