Practice Compassion: It Takes Work

This article is biased; it’s based on two premises – 1) compassion is a good thing for all people at all times. And 2) living up to our highest potential requires us to practice compassion.

If we as a human species fail to cultivate compassion towards each other, especially during times like now, then it’s difficult to see how the major issues on this planet will ever be resolved.

So this is a call to action to you, to me, to everyone who has the intelligence to understand this message:

Compassion is good, but it is not our default way of thinking. Compassion takes work. It must be practiced. And if you and I fail to practice compassion, then this planet is in sincere peril. The world needs us all to be more caring, compassionate, and connected. And it’s on you and me to lead the way.

Animals Are Self-Preserving: We Are Animals

No one here will find it Earth shattering to hear that all animals have an instinctual drive to save their own skin. Humans are animals, and thus we too have a bias towards putting ourselves first.

This alone is not a problem. Of course we need to take care of ourselves. It would be selfish to place that burden on others.

The problem is when this drive towards self-interest becomes the strongest guiding factor in our lives. When that happens, we allow our lower nature to determine what sort of people that we turn out to be. We become less human and more animal. And we have the potential to be so much more than that.

Compassion is a Choice

We tend to think of some people as naturally “nice”. Like it’s just who they are. As such, if we don’t consider ourselves to be in that “nice” category, then we don’t necessarily feel like “that whole compassion thing” is something for us.

But here’s the rub: body builders work their asses off to be buff. Professional musicians work their fingers to the bones to sound as good as they do. And living a compassionate life of loving-kindness takes consistent effort.

Compassion isn’t innate; it’s a choice. We have to cultivate it through our own actions.

I.e. We all have to Practice compassion.

It’s the Little Things

Now I’m not suggesting that everyone sells their shoes, picks up a new set of robes, and hails off to India to study under the Dalai Lama for the rest of their lives.

But just like staying healthy takes work, so does staying compassionate.

True Strength

We have a natural instinct to lash out (even if it’s just mentally) at others. It’s easier to get angry than it is to forgive. It’s easy to be scared, hateful, and fearful of those things and people that are different from us. That comes naturally.

It takes true strength and courage to be open-minded, tolerant, accepting, and loving.

A Practice for Compassion

You can practice compassion right here, right now:

Start by noticing those angry, hateful, or negative thoughts that rise up when you think of others who are different from you. Think about people of different races, cultures, faiths, lifestyles, and the like.

What emotions come up when you think of these people: Syrian refugees, immigrants, Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Conservatives, Capitalists, Socialists, Christians, Muslims, Blacks, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, or any others?

When you feel negative emotions rising towards them, ask yourself: Do I want to feel this way? Is it healthy for me to harbor hate or anger towards people who I don’t even really know? Am I okay with being controlled by my lower instincts or do I aspire to be something greater?

Then look for the humanity in that group that led you to this feeling. What can you appreciate about that group? If you were in their situation, would you act any differently? Isn’t their behavior understandable given their life circumstances that led up to this point?

And for those who are ready to take it one step further, look up a story about the struggles of just 1 person from that group. Try to connect with the struggles of just one person. When we look at people as a group we tend to overlook the rich nuances that make each individual so unique and special. That is, we tend to “dehumanize” them. But that’s much more difficult when considering the real hardships that every individual faces.

Want Help?

If you’re interested in cultivating more compassion in your life but aren’t quite sure how, then contact me directly right here. There are nearly endless resources on this topic and I would be more than happy to point them out or to hear about your ongoing practice.

Until then, keep aspiring to be your best self. Because the world needs you.