Author: Joe Van Deuren

Compassion, as we noted before, begins with recognizing and giving ourselves the same kind of compassion that we would give to others that we see we can help in their time of need. Learning to be compassionate is a process that can be difficult in the simple moments of the day and maybe easier when there are large disasters taking place.

At the time of writing this post, there is a massive storm that is devastating the Houston, TX area of the United States. Every person that sees the results can feel empathy and may take action. Right here in our community, we may see a traffic accident and not give much thought to the impact on that one individual’s life. Even as a mere accident without too much physical damage to the cars or the people, the emotional impact and how it may affect their ability to get to work may have more of an effect than we may think about.

There is a meditation practice that I would like to share that in your time of reflection or meditation each day you may find will help to deepen your compassion for others. At some point in your meditation say in your head the following words:

For yourself say twice:

• May I find relief
• May I find peace
• May I be at ease

Then think of someone in your life and apply the same mantra to them saying it twice:

• May they find relief
• May they find peace
• May they be at ease

You can follow by taking these thoughts to the world saying them twice:

• May all beings find relief
• May all beings find peace
• May all beings be at ease

These are just a reminder to ourselves to be compassionate with ourselves, those close to us and then the world. Saying these words will build our capacity for empathy and compassion, and you will find your heart growing for taking action to use the gifts you have been blessed with to help others in their need and to be kind to yourself.

To quote the Dalai Lama: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Having compassion for others has three steps, and they are the same three steps that are necessary for us to have for ourselves. It has been my learning that for us to have compassion for others begins with a willingness to have compassion for ourselves in a balanced manner. So first let’s look at the three steps to get to compassion for others and then see how we can apply them to ourselves.

The first step is noticing the suffering of the other person. We can see the frustration, disappointment, pain or difficulty they are going through at the moment. If we ignore the other person or refuse to look at what is happening to them, it is not possible to go to the next step.

The second phase is when our heart is moved to want to take action to care for and help the person who is suffering. The word compassion has its roots in “suffering with,” so it is an appreciation for what they are going through and our desire to take action to relieve that suffering. This second step also involves showing understanding and kindness to another person when mistakes are made. We are not harsh in our criticism.

The third step is a culmination of the first two when we take action needed to help in the way that we are able; recognizing that all of us have and will suffer in many ways in our lifetime. We would appreciate any kindness shown to us; therefore we offer our kind acts to those we see who are challenged at the moment.

Imagine now these three steps applied to ourselves. When we have a difficult time, have had a failure or disappointment, have not lived up to what we would like from ourselves first we recognize the way we are suffering, and we admit that we are human. Just like others, we are not going to have everything go our way all of the time. Then instead of criticizing ourselves with harsh words, thinking of ourselves as a failure or not able to accomplish the thing we failed in, we ask ourselves what virtue do we need at this time for this situation and act in a way to care for our needs.

The reality shared by all humans is that we have limitations and fall short of who we would like to be. The more we are willing to open ourselves to this reality instead of fighting against it, the more we will be able to feel compassion for ourselves.

The practice of compassion for ourselves along with the understanding that all humans need and appreciate being shown compassion will help us grow this virtue and bring all of us into a peaceful existence with each other.

Every person in the Universe has many things in common including our needs for food, shelter, love, attention, recognition, and happiness. Every human has suffered also, and there are many commonalities of those sufferings. They may be sickness, worries, loneliness, fears or sadness. When we recognize those feelings in another person if we react with understanding, we are practicing empathy. When we take action, we are practicing compassion.

How we take the rust off our sense of empathy and take action with compassion begins with understanding what all of us have in common.

• Step 1: “Just like me, this person is seeking happiness in his/her life.”
• Step 2: “Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life.”
• Step 3: “Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness, and despair.”
• Step 4: “Just like me, this person is seeking to fill his/her needs.”
• Step 5: “Just like me, this person is learning about life.”

When we have difficulty understanding what a person is feeling or how we may be able to help them, go through these steps and ask how they are in each area, what do they need that I can give to help them?

This practice will make it very clear what we can do for them and how we can help them clarify what they can do for themselves to relieve the suffering they are feeling. Sometimes just listening is the most compassionate action we can take that will provide the most healing.

How would you demonstrate compassion for a friend or loved one if they were sick, lonely, hurt, worried or fearful?

Compassion is about empathy for the suffering of another person, combined with taking action to ease their distress. It is not enough to see what someone is going through, though the ability to put ourselves in their shoes and trying to feel what they are feeling is the starting point for taking action.

With compassion, we eliminate our judgments of others, but rather ask ourselves How they may be suffering, then being perceptive with what we are seeing. Even children can learn to read facial expressions and body language to determine what a person may be feeling or dealing with. A simple question like, what’s happening, may open our eyes further and if we are willing to take the time to listen, without judgment.

Compassion is not just a fixed mindset either. If it is not a virtue that comes to us naturally, science has shown that compassion can be learned. It begins with mindful awareness of the feelings of others and focusing on their needs rather than comparing what challenges we are facing with the other person. Then we can grow our empathy and compassion with regularly asking ourselves questions like the following:

In the morning;
What am I grateful for today?  How can I show kindness to someone today?

Then meditate, consider, or reflect on your blessings and how you can pay it forward.

In the evening reflect;
Think about the people you met in the day. Were you as kind as you set out to be this morning? How could you improve? What could you set your intention for tomorrow that would be compassionate?

With a practice in the morning and the evening, you are getting your day started and ended with the practice of compassion on your mind. If you do this practice with your children, it will help build this virtue within them. The practice of compassion brings happiness to the giver and receiver.