Compassion feeds hearts.
Last night, a small group at our Saturday night “Love Practice” session spent several hours discussing compassion – and you were there in our hearts. Compassion, after all, is not blocked by walls, distance, or time. So consider yourself present. In fact, we invite you to share your heart’s wisdom as we share what happened at this gathering.
What is compassion? This simple question begins to move our hearts into wider love space. Before you read on, what would your own answer be?
Listen to these beautiful responses from our small group.
Compassion is:
· Unconditional acceptance of others as they are.
· Empathy – feeling connected & at one with other’s deepest feelings.
· Open, warm, caring hearts.
· Wisdom & understanding.
· Passionate loving.
Aren’t these answers beautiful? Simple, yet so wise. Compassion is love in action. So, let us ask two powerful questions that move us even deeper into compassion.
Question 1: What is the top way you are most compassionate to others?
Before you read on, pause and let your heart answer this question so you can appreciate & value your own contribution of compassion to the universe. Here are some of the answers shared.
Compassion is most expressed towards others by:
· Listening well & then validating what others are saying.
· Tolerance, non-judging, & accepting of others as they are.
· Physical touch, such as hugging.
· Being so content within that you can embrace whatever is happening & let people be what they are without reacting.
· Comforting, nurturing, praising.
· Asking bold but gentle Love questions that open hearts, such as “What’s going on in your heart right now? Or “What’s the most significant thing going on in your life?”
· Catching someone’s eye with a smile of love.
· Kindness & openness.
· Releasing personal responsibility for changing others & trusting Love to bring forth transformation.
· Redefining those who oppose us or treat us with harm as spiritual beings on a path out of darkness.
· Holding the space for others to move to a higher place of thinking or acting.
This tidal wave of compassion is embracing you right now. And not only embracing you, but flowing through you out to every individual in the universe. What awesome compassion power!
Question 2: What is the top way you are most compassionate to yourself? Again, before you read own, pause and ask yourself how you are most compassionate to yourself – and appreciate the awesome value of this. Here are some of the answers our inspired small group shared.
Compassion is most expressed towards myself by:
· Forgiving myself quickly.
· Being bold & visible.
· Using soft, loving compassionate words rather than harsh internal or external language.
· Pausing and re-centering myself so I can be non-critical.
· Allowing myself to be myself.
· Being content & present in the moment.
· Stopping and asking myself, “How am I going to think about this person or event in the most loving way?”
· Standing back from an event or person & observing in order to see and act from a more enlightened, loving space.
This is the real “Love story” in our lives. This is the love the world needs – the same love we need within our hearts as individuals. Thank you for the compassion you are feeling & living. Together we are creating a field of compassion sufficient to address & transform all suffering. Welcome to the heart of Love!
Copyright 2004 by Scott & Shannon Peck
