Compassion- an untapped human superpower
The wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and many other areas bear witness to the need to be compassionate. The theologian, Matthew Fox, believes that in this time of global turmoil, the rise of authoritarianism, and the destruction of Mother Earth, cultivating compassion is vital to our survival as a species and as individuals.
But what exactly is compassion?
Compassion is ‘feeling together with’ and simply being moved in our depths by another person’s experience and responding in ways that intend either to ease their suffering or to promote the flourishing within that person. When I feel compassion for another person’s suffering, it often requires me to go beyond my prejudices and my ego to respond with care and kindness.
Pausing from the busyness of our lives and recognising the tenderness of humanity of another person restores us to see the goodness in ourselves and each other. Its healing can make human again the hardened heart of another.
Compassion is an untapped human superpower that can help us shift out of our patterns of control and dominance. Many of us are challenged to be like Nelson Mandela, who invited his jailor of 27 years to stand at his side during his Presidential inauguration. Ordinary folks like us can be in awe and inspired by him.
By freeing ourselves up of past hurts and mistakes through forgiveness and letting go, we learn to live in the present without worrying about the future (fear) or the past (regret). Our compassionate heart is then generous and kind and naturally able to extend to others. If each of us has that spark of kindness, then the inherent dignity in us will cause us to rise and demand the justice and equality that is everyone’s birthright. Compassion seeks justice by attending to the structural causes of suffering and works to transform the social conditions that perpetuate suffering.
To check if I am ready to be compassionate is to honestly answer this question ‘Do I genuinely feel open to a compassionate connection with this person or these people’? If not, there is the invitation to tune in to me, notice what is going on within me, and observe what emotions and feelings are being stirred. Cultivating compassion in such situations is a process and through self-care, self-reflection and self-compassion, true compassion towards the other can be achieved.
How can you go the extra mile to make a positive difference in others' lives and your own by saying or doing something with compassion?
Technical Support Engineer At Innoviz
5moהמפגש הבלתי אמצעי עם האחים, שמדברים על אביתר מנקודת מבט של אחים, הפשוטה, היומיומית, "הרגילה" כמו שכולנו מכירים מהבית מהאחים הפרטיים שלנו, מחדדת את הידוע שכל אחד נחשב. כל שבוי הוא עולם ומלאו. הוא משפחה. הוא חיים שלמים. וצריך לפעול למען כל אחד ואחד. (כמו במשל עם כוכבי הים)