Compassion

Compassion True compassion recognizes that all the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and others are an illusion. Compassion is the ability to see the deep connectedness between ourselves and others. Moreover, true compassion recognizes that all the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and others are an illusion. When we first begin to practice compassion, this very deep level of understanding may elude us, but we can have faith that if we start where we are, we will eventually feel our way toward it. We move closer to it every time we see past our own self-concern to accommodate concern for others. And, as with any skill, our compassion grows most in the presence of difficulty. We practice small acts of compassion every day, when our loved ones are short-tempered or another driver cuts us off in traffic. We extend our forgiveness by trying to understand their point of view; we know how it is to feel stressed out or irritable. The practice of compassion becomes more difficult when we find ourselves unable to understand the actions of the person who offends us. These are the situations that ask us to look more deeply into ourselves, into parts of our psyches that we may want to deny, parts that we have repressed because society has labeled them bad or wrong. For example, acts of violence are often well beyond anything we ourselves have perpetuated, so when we are on the receiving end of such acts, we are often at a loss. This is where the real potential for growth begins, because we are called to shine a light inside ourselves and take responsibility for what we have disowned. It is at this juncture that we have the opportunity to transform from within. This can seem like a very tall order, but when life presents us with circumstances that require our compassion, no matter how difficult, we can trust that we are ready. We can call upon all the light we have cultivated so far, allowing it to lead the way into the darkest parts of our own hearts, connecting us to the hearts of others in the understanding that is true compassion. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [How to Communicate Like a Buddhist]( by Cynthia Kane The most well known Buddhist teachers on the planet all have something in common: they are excellent communicators. This is not by accident, as the Buddha taught what are called the four elements of right speech over 2,600 years ago. If you have ever felt misheard, have trouble stating how you feel, or long to have more meaningful and genuine conversations, this course can help. The simple steps outlined in this course will have a huge effect on how you communicate with others and yourself. Communication is essential to being human, and when you become better at it, your personal truth becomes clearer, your relationships improve, and the result is that you experience more peace and harmony in your life. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [The 2 Week Fascia Miracle]( 2. [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( 3. [Beneficial Stretches for the Inflexible]( 4. [How to Overcome Loneliness]( 5. [5 Week Kundalini Yoga for Chakras]( 6. [Pelvis Reset for Lower Back Pain]( 7. [Belly Dancing Goddess Workout]( 8. [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( 9. [Radical Boundaries]( 10. [Non-Surgical Facelift]( New Courses • [8 Day Foot and Ankle Fix]( • [Meditative Painting to Heal Your Life]( • [Beginner Ayurveda for Self-Care]( • [The Japanese Art of Happy Money]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]