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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How to cultivate compassion
People are often confused about how to cultivate compassion. There are several approaches. One method is moving beyond empathy to compassion. Empathy is feeling like the other person is feeling. We often “take on” or […]
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It all starts at home
Self-care continues to be our home-work. It is the foundation for our inner home of love, compassion, kindness, and insight. From this base we are better prepared to help others. It all starts at home. […]
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A spirit of mutual acceptance and respect
In today’s interconnected and globalized world, it is now commonplace for people of dissimilar world views, faiths and races to live side by side. It is a matter of great urgency, therefore, that we find […]