Complete Compassion

I was in a meeting far away last week and was posed with the question, "what does the world need more of?" I didn't have to think long before I decided it needed more compassion. Thats a word that has been heavy on my mind for a long time. It's one that would help the world out of wars, keep us from causing one another pain, and prevent things like chicken sandwiches from coming between us as a society.

But what is it, really?

I've always considered myself a nice girl, for the most part.  I don't say mean things to peoples faces, I hurt when I hurt people, and I've always tried to mediate, and minimize conflict. But compassion is none of these things.

Compassion is recognizing ourselves in all others. Compassion is seeing that my pain feels the same as your pain. My joy feels the same as your joy.  My dysfunction causes my turmoil as yours causes yours. I am subject to the same corruption as you, and bound to the same law of consequence.

Frankly, I have long felt compassion comes easiest for me when deep down I see people as having much less than me. Less money, less intellect, less opportunity. For these people my compassion is not challenged. Or is it? Have I compassion for these people, or just pity? Pity is not compassion.

My struggle with compassion is much more obvious when people think they're better than me. Or when they are smarter, wealthier or more beautiful. Or when they seem like they want to hurt me, or hold me back. My compassion dissolves into bitterness, hate, scorn and judgment. It completely leaves me.

When I think about real compassion, I wonder if I have mastered it at all for anyone. I wonder if I could truly look at anyone and say, "they are only me in a different circumstance." I wonder if I could ever give another person the same amount of grace and ascribe to them the same purity of intention that I give myself.

I wonder if I could ever forget myself long enough to be completely involved in the heart, soul and perspective of someone who is completely other, and see in them me.

Comments

Heather L. Wilson said…
<3 this!!
6:18 AM
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