How do you define compassion?
Being such an open question, one can interpret it in so many different ways.
To me, Compassion is revealing yourself to others in a way that creates a feeling of closeness and then holding yourself accountable for other’s well-being. By acknowledging humanity has the right to clean water and air, fresh food, housing, healing, kindness and respect, true compassion can be cultivated. We realize we are united through our basic needs.
Boundaries we create around ourselves are removed, and we begin to think of what we can do for others extending beyond our immediate families and into our community and civic lives. In this circle of people, trust can be established when communication becomes authentic, open and honest.
To me, Compassion is revealing yourself to others in a way that creates a feeling of closeness and then holding yourself accountable for other’s well-being. By acknowledging humanity has the right to clean water and air, fresh food, housing, healing, kindness and respect, true compassion can be cultivated. We realize we are united through our basic needs.
Boundaries we create around ourselves are removed, and we begin to think of what we can do for others extending beyond our immediate families and into our community and civic lives. In this circle of people, trust can be established when communication becomes authentic, open and honest.
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Permalink Reply by PamKM on -
Great question! CAN member David Breaux from Davis, California has been standing on a street corner on a regular basis (for several years, I think) asking people to define compassion. He posts regular news blogs on CAN with the answers he's received. I've been stunned by how varied, thoughtful, and beautiful they are. You can read his posts at:
1. http://bit.ly/cJZCFK
2. http://bit.ly/9P6u1R
3. http://bit.ly/aBEzbo
I shortened the long CAN web addresses to avoid a bunch of gibberish in this post.
We would love to see David travel around the world to get comments from different nations. It would be fascinating the compare the results from Iran, China, Norway, Antarctica, Nepal, etc. He's interested in doing such a project as well as a book. Feel free to comment on his CAN home page blog post. -
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