Root of Compassion

Compassion arises out of our own experience of suffering. We all know what it’s like to be sick or in pain, to be lonely or have our feelings hurt, to fear the unknown or grieve the loss of a loved one. When we see or hear of others going through similar experiences, our heart opens with a feeling of empathy and the wish to help.

Desire to Be Free

Compassion is the wish for oneself and others to be free of suffering, free from all painful, unwanted, unsatisfactory experiences. Compassion acknowledges that everyone wants to be free of suffering, deserves to be free, and has the capacity to be free.

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Awakening the Kind Heart
Kathleen McDonald