Re: Compassion - Tom

[Guest guest]

Dear Tom:

This " compassion " is tricky business indeed! I think you are correct

that it has to do with the meaning we give to the word " compassion " .

For me, being clear, present and available is not related

to " compassion " ; however, it could well mean that for you. And if it

does, then we are in agreement. I guess for me the word " compassion "

brings up a concept of " pity " and I am fairly sure that you would

agree that " pity " = " attack " .

You said: " When my friend is suffering and I'm able to be present to

him without judgement, simply listening and accepting and not going

into story myself about what he should do or how he should change to

escape his suffering, I think of that as being compassionate with my

friend. "

For me the above statement starts out with multiple layers of lies.

We have " When my friend is suffering " . This thought is made up of

the following assumptions:

1. There is a another that is separate from me that I call " my

friend " .

2. That separate one is capable of suffering.

3. It is that separate one that is suffering and not me.

4. That there is anything capable of creating suffering other than

my thoughts. etc., etc.

If I buy into any of those concepts, I am confused and will only

become further confused if I have any thought of what " might be

helpful for this suffering friend. " Now, on the other hand, if I

hear myself/friend asking for help, I will give them what I have to

give in that moment. I think that that is what you are saying you do.

I guess the bottom line is, " Would I feel compassion for God? " " Does

God need me to feel compassion? "

If " God is All and God is Good " , then this " suffering friend " is in

fact God. If I can remember that fact in that moment, I will have

received and given a Miracle. Otherwise, I will only propetuate the

illusion of separation.

Love you, Steve D.

> > I do not agree with Rosemary's statement of: " Compassion is a

> > positive feeling and has no need for inquiry.

> > > Positive feelings don't cause stress or anxiety or discomfort

so we

> > > do not need to waste our energy thinking about them. " -

Rosemary.

> >

> > For me, the feeling of compassion merely reflects how I have

> > forgotten who I and my brother Really are and that I am believing

> > that the dream is Reality. For me, compassion is related to my

> > arrogance.

>

> Hi, Steve. I'm guessing it's a question of the meaning one attaches

to

> the word compassion. If compassion is a feeling, I would agree with

> you. If we substitute the word " sympathy " for compassion, I agree

with

> you.

>

> However, the meaning I attach to compassion is just " being present

and

> befriending " . When painful thoughts arise and I'm able to meeting

them

> with understanding, I think of that as being compassionate with

> myself. When my friend is suffering and I'm able to be present to

him

> without judgement, simply listening and accepting and not going into

> story myself about what he should do or how he should change to

escape

> his suffering, I think of that as being compassionate with my

friend.

>

> > Positive or negative feelings are merely judgement calls and, for

me,

> > are not necessarily a yardstick for deciding which thoughts

should be

> > inquired. Am I the only one that sees it this way?

> > It's a sky, Is that true?

>

> Um, that's what I call it. I have no idea *what* it is. But until I

> questioned that thought, I believed that I knew. Now I know that I

> don't.

>

> I have found doing The Work on uncomfortable feelings very freeing.

I

> have also found that I've learned things about myself and have not

> suffered any unpleasant effects when I've done The Work on peaceful

> thoughts. I have not tried to do The Work on *every* thought.

>

> love,

> Tom