Compassion – Do You Care?

Compassion

Compassion is a quality that is needed more now, than perhaps ever in history. So what is it and why do we need it right now?

In a world where suffering is a daily concern for all beings, compassion needs to be cultivated so we can transform how we relate to each other and every living being. I often say “if you didn’t want suffering, wrong planet” but the issue is, this is our planet and we each need to take responsibility for how we behave and relate to each other. We can’t control what’s happening in the world, but we can change how we feel about it.

Compassion is not wanting suffering in the world – suffering from subtle physical and emotional discomfort to agony and anguish – combined with feelings of sympathetic concern.

We can have compassion for individuals (a sick friend, someone being wronged), groups of people (refugees in Australia, victims of earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan), animals (battery chickens, animals killed for food), and ourselves.

Compassion isn’t pity, agreement, or waiving of our rights. We can have compassion for people who have wronged us, while wanting them to change their behaviour!

Compassion opens our heart and nourishes people we care about whether we know them or not. Basically it sends out a good vibe. Think about people we are compassionate towards. They are more likely to be forgiving, patient, and compassionate back.

The function of compassion is connection. Compassion reflects the wisdom that everything is related to everything else, and it draws us in to connection.

Studies show that when we feel compassion, motor circuits in our brain light up.

Compassion is natural. All we need to do is open our heart – to the difficulty, to the problem person, to the sorrow in the world or to any situation we would like to see improve. And the best bit is this. When we radiate compassion out – it actually feels good.

So today, start feeling compassion for others and you will feel it for yourself. So instead of sending out criticism and judgement, send out COMPASSION.

Google COMPASSION and see what comes up!

Wendie Batho

Wendie Batho

Wendie has co-facilitated residential programs with Petrea for more than sixteen years. Prior to that Wendie spent over 25 years as a teacher, school principal and was involved in educational leadership and facilitation of school executive groups.

Ten years of this time was spent in PNG where she taught and worked for the government. Wendie has been travelling since the early sixties and is especially attracted to Asian cultures. She holds degrees in Anthropology, Education, Sociology, Theology and Political Science. Her current passions are her grandchildren, travel biographies, exploring Asia, 4×4 driving, reading everything she can get her hands on, and watching movies on the big screen at home.