Expanding Compassion: A Journey from Self to the World

Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, I vow to cultivate a boundless heart toward all beings. (based on the Buddha's words in The Sutta Nipata).

Compassion is a feeling deep within ourselves —a "quivering of the heart" — and it is also a way of acting — being affected by the suffering of others and moving on their behalf. Buddha and Jesus are the most well known exemplars of compassion, and it is the central ethical virtu...

Blessed is the Compassionate One who gives us compassion as a way of touching and being touched by the world around us.

On a personal level, your compassion is sabotaged by feelings of ill will toward others: spite and malice. These feelings, and others arising out of emotional wounds and personal pain, are actually symptoms indicating that you need to have compassion for yourself.

But when you move toward others with compassion, you are likely to bump into some common attitudes, just waiting to close your heart again. The usual suspects are judgment and all its associated "isms": racism, sexism, ageism, classism, and nationalism.

Seeing someone in pain is my cue to practice compassion.

The practice of compassion increases our capacity to care. It reinforces charity, empathy, and sympathy. It is very good exercise for your heart muscle.