Compassion for Others - A Lost Necessity
December 12th, 2007
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” (His Holiness, the Dali Lama)
Is compassion lost in today’s society or do people simply disregard it as unimportant in their busy everyday lives? Are we really too involved with our own lives and our own needs that we do not see the need to practice compassion?
Compassion is defined as a deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it. I think as a society we observe the suffering of others, but it seems that less and less people deeply understand others suffering and feel the need to relieve it. Many see the homeless person on the street as they are out shopping and some may even offer change but only a few will stop and offer more than money, maybe a meal or even a friendly conversation. I admit that I too like many others find it easy at times, when I’m really busy, to walk on by and choose to ignore the suffering others but that does not mean that it is right.
How many people notice when others are struggling and suffering at home or at work and consciously do something about it? If you answered yes to that question then think how often you extend that same compassion to others outside of your normal relationships. If you answered no to that question then why do feel that you can not intervene to relieve other’s suffering. Compassion is not something that should be extended to others when you are feeling in the mood or when you feel the need to make yourself feel better, but should be something that you practice every minute of every day to everyone and everything around you. This will create positive energy in your life and in the lives of others around you. Compassion should not only be practiced when someone is suffering in major situations in their lives but also in every moment of everyday, even in the little everyday tasks.
People suffer all the time in their lives and others usually make the situation worse, often unknowingly, by striving to complete everything they need to by the end of their day. Often the needs of people override the suffering of others. Think on this when you next have 5 minutes (and everyone has 5 minutes in their day) - do you do everything you can to relieve the suffering of others, no matter how insignificant they may be, or do you strive to meet your own needs first.
Practice compassion, everyday in every way.
Popularity: 66% [?]
December 20th, 2007 at 11:21 am
From my own experiences over the last couple of years “compassion” is dying out. However much that hurts to say, because having compassion for others is one of the most important thingsin life.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:21 am
You have no idea how bad it is. Looking at the next generation (at least the cross section I’m exposed to on a regular basis) there’s been a breakdown in basic social skills across the board.
Relatively few parents teach thier children how to interact with others, and many are re-enforcing the “Me first” attitude children naturaly go through when they’re young. Copmassion and Consideration for others is dying out at an alarming rate.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:40 pm
[...] Ben LUmley at The New Horizons Project. More Bliss, Success, and Love? Subscribe for free! [...]
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
[...] 1) Write a post as described above. You’re encouraged, although not required, to link to all three of the judges. 2) Contact any one of us, either by emailing, or leaving a comment in one of the judge’s posts. 3) You’re encouraged also to spread the word, tag your friends, and ask them to participate. 4) On 5 January 2008, the three judges will look at all the entries, pick the winners, and publish a list, so we can all share the links and traffic. 5) The results will be posted on 10 January 2008 on all three judge’s blogs. Winners will be contacted for mailing address details so we can send the watches to you! Readers Words of Compassion: A Story of Compassion and Dying, by Kris Vockler Compassion For Others — A Lost Necessity, by Ben Lumley Explore posts in the same categories: Uncategorized [...]
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I am naïve enough to feel that most people are not intentionally rude, inconsiderate or evil. I feel that many are merely oblivious. They just are disconnected with their environment. Their Bluetooth headset keeps them tuned into their own little world and the true surroundings end up being transparent. Compassion can only be shown when the compassionate are environmentally aware of what is going on around them. Compassion and concern are also contagious. The next time someone says, “how ya do’n”, actually answer them and ask them very specifically how they are doing. Huge numbers of people feel alone and often alienated, even a brief personal contact that shows compassion to them can make a difference in their lives plus it can make you feel good, a win-win.
December 24th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Ben,
I found out about your blog from Albert’s post concerning the Compassion Contest. You have written a nice article, and if people went out of themselves to see others, and sympathize with them, the world would be better for it as you say. The key is to change ourselves so that we have that capacity to be increasingly aware.
Best of Luck with your Blog!
December 25th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Compassion is one of the single greatest practices we can undertake. It might be easy to start and sustain for a short while but without practice it can become hard as the ego lashes back. Always seeking to feed itself and use compassion as a tool.
Your post is an excellent exercise in how to practice…
Well said,
Kris
December 27th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Ben, thanks for sharing your article. There is a commercial on TV right now that I especially like. It shows strangers helping each other and other strangers seeing it happen and reaching out to strangers as well. A woman reaches out and pulls a man back from stepping out in front of a car. Another woman pushes a worker out of the way of falling barrels. A man picks up a baby’s toy and gives it back. The commercial goes full circle to finish back where it started. We should all teach by example. Show compassion for others and let others see so that they will do the same, especially with our children.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Hey there Ben, thank you for this entry. I’ve only recently had the time to sit down and digest it properly, and I really like it. Thanks again.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
[...] Entries Ben Lumley at The New Horizons Project. Kris Vockler at Beyond Zen. Corinne Edwards at Personal Growth with Corinne Edwards. Isabella Mori at Change Therapy. Paula Kawal at Journey Inward Coaching. Liara Covert at Dream Builders. David Bohl at Slow Down Fast. Deb Estep at Deb_Inside. Swami Nirmalananda Giri and ReddyK at the Atma Jyoti Blog. Mary Jaksch at Goodlife Zen. Takuin Minamoto at Daily Action and Natural Expression. Robin at Reflections on Compassion, posted at Yogini Myspace Blog. Karen Zara at Abaminds. Jenny Mannion at Heal Pain Naturally. Evan Hadkins at WellBeingAndHealth.Net. Shawn Williamson at do you LIVE or simply EXIST. Patricia Singleton at Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker. Alex Blackwell at The Next 45 Years. Akemi Gaines at Gratitude Magic. Vitor Bosshard at The Fractal Forest. CG Walters at Into The Mist. John Torcello has also contributed an entry by email, I’ve included it in the comments below. Brightdays at Brighter Days for you and me! Karen at Loving Awareness. Krista at Lucid Amphibology. Karen Lynch at Live The Power. Andrea Hess at Empowered Soul. Waters at Waters: The Last Thing I Wanted To Give. Eric Grey at Deepest Health. Stephen Hopson at Adversity University. Em Dy at Pulse: Intention to Treat. Iain Hamp at Follow Your Passions. Rahul at Raw Speak. Stephen Miracle at AltNoise.Net. Pearl at Interesting Observations. Mark at My Tropical Escape. Matthew at Loving Awareness. Daylle Schwartz at Lessons from a Recovering Doormat. Charities Link at Charities Link. Mihaela Lica at Pamil Visions eWritings. David at Virginia Breeze. Jerry Summers at Nothing Like Now. Wishbone at Wishbone. Arvind Devalia at Make Things Happen. Samir Bharadwaj at Samir Bharadwaj dot com. Tags: compassion, esangha, mindfulness, now. Related posts:-Understanding and LoveeSangha #10Free Group Sit S.N. Goenka Vipassana MP3’sBe Come IngThoughtful Linking #5 Popularity: 6% [...]
January 7th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your entry into the Compassion Writing Project. I liked your quote at the top from the Dalai Lama.
Peace,
Wade
http://themiddleway.net
January 8th, 2008 at 12:09 am
[...] Therapy. Paula Kawal at Journey Inward Coaching. Liara Covert at Dream Builders. David Bohl at Slow Down Fast. Deb Estep at Deb_Inside. Swami Nirmalananda Giri and ReddyK at the Atma Jyoti Blog. Mary Jaksch atGoodlife Zen. Takuin Minamoto at Daily Action and Natural Expression. Robin at Reflections on Compassion, posted at Yogini Myspace Blog. Karen Zara at Abaminds. Jenny Mannion at Heal Pain Naturally. Evan Hadkins at WellBeingAndHealth.Net. Shawn Williamson at do you LIVE or simply EXIST. Patricia Singleton at Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker. Alex Blackwell at The Next 45 Years. Akemi Gaines at Gratitude Magic. Vitor Bosshard at The Fractal Forest. CG Walters at Into The Mist. John Torcello has also contributed an entry by email, I’ve included it in the comments below. Brightdays at Brighter Days for you and me! Karen at Loving Awareness. Krista at Lucid Amphibology. Karen Lynch at Live The Power. Andrea Hess at Empowered Soul. Waters at Waters: The Last Thing I Wanted To Give. Eric Grey at Deepest Health. Stephen Hopson at Adversity University. Em Dy at Pulse: Intention to Treat. Iain Hamp at Follow Your Passions. Rahul at Raw Speak. Stephen Miracle at AltNoise.Net. Pearl at Interesting Observations. Mark at My Tropical Escape. Matthew at Loving Awareness. Daylle Schwartz at Lessons from a Recovering Doormat. Charities Link at Charities Link. Mihaela Lica at Pamil Visions eWritings. David at Virginia Breeze. Jerry Summers at Nothing Like Now. Wishbone at Wishbone. Arvind Devalia at Make Things Happen. Samir Bharadwaj at Samir Bharadwaj dot com. Change, Inspiration, Personal DevelopmentBookmark to: [...]
January 8th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
[...] ~La Boheme Entries Ben Lumley at The New Horizons Project. [...]
January 10th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
[...] Ben Lumley at The New Horizons Project. [...]
January 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
[...] Ben Lumley at The New Horizons Project. [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 8:21 am
[...] at the new horizons project, a challenge to reach further with our compassion how many people notice when others are struggling and suffering at home or at work and consciously do something about it? if you answered yes to that question then think how often you extend that same compassion to others outside of your normal relationships. [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I think if we can be compassionate with ourselves then at least that is a start as the Dalai Llama’s quote implies.
The trouble is, though, news on television (and, to a lesser extent, on the internet) focuses our mind on pain, fear, discord - and it then becomes very difficult to think about being compassionate.
I also believe the ever-sophisticated marketing machines of big corporations get us to focus on our pain or ‘lack’ - our lack of owning product X. They encourage the false notion that if only we owned such a procuct then our lives would be better. This too makes having compassion for others more difficult, as we’re continually reminded to focus on our own needs or wants instead.
In my most humble of opinions, of course.
Your article, and the responses, make a good starting point. It isn’t hopeless - we just have to start with being compassionate with ourselves, first.