Exploring Compassion

In order to know yourself, you must be open to the fact that what you think may always be wrong, or at least only a partial perspective. Always be willing for another layer to fall away, so that you may see something that was previously hidden from view.

It is only as you open yourself to this that you can begin to develop an understanding of true compassion, which, in my own exploration, is far from what most people think of when they think of compassion. For the more willing you are to know yourself, to see whatever there is to be seen, the greater your chance of letting life live you, of letting love purify your heart, so that you can be used in whatever way the universe deems fit.

As I have personally engaged in this inquiry, I have made some startling discoveries. Here are just a few of the things that have surprised me:

Sometimes compassion doesn’t feel good.
Sometimes being compassionate means doing nothing, even when someone else is in pain. In fact, doing nothing may often be the most compassionate choice.
Any real compassion is impossible as long as your ego is dictating your behavior.
True compassion is not about individual wants, desires, or needs in any way.

This month, let your life be an exploration into yourself, into your own heart. Be open to being surprised, and maybe even dismayed for a moment or two. Discover what motivates you, and be open to whatever is revealed.