Compassion: a blessing or a curse?

Compassion is a way of connecting the love and awareness within your self to another person. Compassion is more than kindness; it’s a natural expression of kindness and understanding when you love yourself. Without a sense of love inside, compassion has no foundation in consciousness. (Deepak Chopra)

Ever since I was a little girl my stomach would hurt whenever I witnessed another’s pain and suffering. The gnarled pit of my stomach would always catch me by surprise: instant- sucker– punched– breath- stopping. Often I would freeze in the “witness stand” unable to right a wrong. As if I could.

Cruel jokes. Illness. Accidents. Lost love. It got to the point in my life where I would turn away from the suffering of others because it hurt too much.

Is it possible to have too much compassion? compassion-e1413843427959

Many spiritual leaders offer guidance in the area of compassion. Global thought movements/meditations are now possible because of social media.

Through his work, and that of others, Chopra teaches us to align our heads and our hearts in compassion for the highest good of all- ourselves included.

Social media has its value. It has also made the suffering of the world “too heavy” for some of us to carry. Now, as an adult, I balance the amount of suffering I witness with self-care.

If [our] compassion does not include [ourselves] it is incomplete. (Siddhartha Gautama).

I do not listen to the news before bedtime as the images can interrupt my sleep. Often I do not read complete articles on the latest disaster. I may even cover my eyes or plug my ears if unexpected violence pops up on the TV screen.

As soon as I am aware of my distress, I set aside time for a few moments to move into breath work, sitting and noticing the flow of air in and out of my lungs. I do not rush. Then slowly, and with care, I look. With guidance from spiritual leaders such as Chopra I can give the kind of love I aspire to receive.

We can soften our challenging experiences in the “witness stand.” We can, despite our difficulties, grow our compassion for the greater good of all concerned. Give that sensitive stomach of yours a hug. You are blessed with a global cellular connection that knows no limits.

How cool is that!

Sensitive stomach or not, you can get further guidance on compassion at Spreading Compassion from the Inner to the Outer World

http://www.chopra.com/ccl/spreading-compassion-from-the-inner-to-outer-world