Below is a continuation of defining compassion with world religions in my compassion service learning course. We have discussed our definition previously through the mainstream American (secular) belief and the Christian viewpoint.
All the religions mentioned has touched on what I understand what compassion is. Though, I feel more a connection to what Susan Skog said, what the Dalai Lama said and the Judaism says on compassion.
First, Susan Skog states, "Compassion...is about letting others so affect us that they crack open our vulnerable places. They touch our pockets of pain, and in that solidarity we can say, 'I feel your pain because I have been there before' ' (Skog, 2001). When Ms. Skog used this phrase "letting others so affect us that they crack open our vulnerable places' I felt a connection to how to explain what I see myself doing. Actually I am using the word "compassion" as my guiding question as part of my M.Ed portfolio. I feel that over the years, I have nurtured this compassionate side with the help of others. God has given me a great heart for people especially the ones in need. I feel I fuel my compassion gets bigger when I do many compassionate acts as well as continuing my relationship with my God.
Second, Dalai Lama thoughts on compassionate acts explain on how I see myself interacting with others. He said, “When we act out of concern for others, our behaviors towards them is automatically positive. This is because we have no room for suspicion when our hearts are filled with love. It is as if an inner door is opened, allowing us to reach out. Having concern for others breaks down the impediment which inhibits healthy interaction with others” (Dalai Lama, 1999). Though, he does make it sound easy that others would accept this genuine gesture. However, I have learned that I have been rejected sometimes. At times, the other person won’t be able to accept any compassionate acts when s/he has their own issues interfering with being open with you. Sometimes, some people may misinterpret your kind actions. I am learning to let that go and still remain kind toward that person. I may not fully understand what hurt in that person’s life but I can empathize with it. It helps that I have God to pray to so he can watch and care for that person better than I can.
Furthermore, the Jewish term “mitzvot’ as in loving one’s neighbors as myself as well as being kind to strangers really resounded in me. This really connected to my Christian faith. When we are able to actually love our neighbors and be kind to strangers as we wanted in ourselves, we bring in compassion into our communities. Truly I believe that compassion is needed to have healthy communities. Life is hard but when we are all compassionate, we can assist in each other burdens. With love and care, living isn’t so bad.
In conclusion, compassion requires you to lift off your eyes and see with the other people’s eyes. We would have to feel empathy toward the other person’s needs and issues. Compassion also requires us to act kindly to benefit someone’s needs. In doing so, we want to help someone in need and not do these acts as a selfish reason in expecting something good comes our way.
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Resources:
Ancient Wisdom, Modern World by Dalai Lama
Radical Acts of Love:How Compassion is Transforming our World by Susan Skog.
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