Empathy is useful to reduce our self-centered attitude. But if we get stuck in empathy — feeling like the other person is feeling — we become chronically sad and burn out. Maturing to compassion brings more joy — the joy of helping others. Of course the joy is tinged with sadness, feeling the others’ pain. But the overwhelming feeling is of love and generosity – wishing and sometimes acting to benefit others. Gradually we increase our sphere of compassion from loved ones to strangers to even our enemies. Then our compassion is in full swing. Emaho!
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