The Importance of Compassion in Spiritual Practice

Spiritual practice is in its essence so simple. Can we be present for this world as it is? And I don't mean in this acceptance that we don't struggle against the suffering of others or fight when there is injustice and we can make a difference. But nobody's going to change this human realm so that it won't have joy and sorrow and birth and death and praise and blame and gain and loss. We need so much compassion for ourselves and all beings because this is the way the human realm is indeed. One form of compassion, practice, we start with ourselves. May I be free from suffering? May I meet the sorrows with compassion over and over?"