We were exploring compassion in a class recently. Like mindfulness, many people have ideas about compassion and what it looks like. But often this is cognitive; compassion as a concept.
Many spiritual approaches dismiss the felt sense. For example, an emotion like anger arises. Rather than feeling it, we’re encouraged to “think positive” or try to lay another emotion over top of it. This suppresses what was arising to be resolved and creates an internal conflict and dissonance.
This also encourages disembodiment and a split between the mind and body. How can we feel compassion if we suppress our emotions?
Compassion is a descending flow to the open heart. It is a state of being. It is universal and unconditional. Genuine compassion is felt and embodied. It grows to include the body and compassion for ourselves. It allows us to be as we are.
Compassion helps us to feel our pain and what is unresolved within. It allows us to be present with all of what is here, not just what we want. And thus, it is a profoundly healing. When we can heal and fully accept what is here, compassion can make us bulletproof. And when that’s at home, compassion can be big enough to contain all the suffering of the world in a healing embrace.
When in doubt, love what is.
Davidya
Thanks
🙏
Lovely David
🙏, Dara