Understanding Compassion

Compassion is defined as the ability to transcend the suffering we observe and actively direct care towards it through actions or well wishes. Unlike loving-kindness, which lacks a specific focus, compassion aims to alleviate suffering and is a remedy against feelings of apathy and judgment. It serves as an antidote to negativity, shifting one’s perspective away from cruelty and disdain, which stem from judging others harshly. By fostering a sense of shared humanity, acknowledging our mutual desires for happiness, and embracing the pain of others, compassion can flourish as our innate response to suffering.