compassion – Human Values Institute

The best approach

Compassion is the ticket. It is best approach to fighting injustice, the best approach to helping others, and the best approach to our own deeper happiness. Every living being has been our kind mother in […]

Strong and wise, but without anger or violence

Compassion is often misunderstood. Partly because we do not have a good word in English that gives the full meaning of ‘nyingje’ or ‘karuṇā’. Not only is this general compassion, it includes enlightened wisdom. There […]

Wake up to a rapidly changing reality

The world is changing rapidly and will never be the same. We know this from a Buddhist and eastern perspective of impermanence. Now it is hitting us in the face with new stark realities seen […]

The coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is low-hanging fruit to practice compassion. There are millions, if not billions of people around the world suffering on my levels. For those who’ve died, breathe in their pain and breathe out […]

Happy Chotrul Duchen

Happy Chotrul Duchen, the day Shakyamuni Buddha miraculously demonstrated his teachings to preserve them for us. This is one of the four most important days in the Buddhist calendar. Please be extra careful today not […]

The Buddhist understanding of compassion

The word compassion is often misunderstood. In English it has Christian overtones that include pity, turning the other cheek, and weakness. It is often seen as powerless. But the Buddhist understanding of compassion is much […]

To work for environmental justice

There is a strong basis and inspiration to work for environmental justice. We are all connected in so many seen and unseen ways that we have many bonds between us. This includes the animals, birds, […]

3 levels of dukkha

Compassion is an often-used word, but rarely understood. According to the Buddha, compassion is the relief of suffering. So, what is suffering? Buddha used the word ‘dukkha.’ We do not have an English equivalent, so […]

How to cultivate compassion

Compassion can be hard to cultivate. We are so wrapped up in our own self. We can’t see beyond our own selfish needs, and think we are number one. How can we broaden our view […]

Like an illusion

Experience of our days is up and down. This is on the outside and superficial. As we practice more, an inner experience begins to permeate our whole experience, our whole being. At first it waxes […]