Shifting from empathy to compassion activates brain regions linked to positive emotions, social connection, and reward, similar to those engaged in joy or pleasure.
“Compassion has a support team and never stands alone. It is infused with awareness that allows our hearts to be open and steady. When we feel connected, kindness naturally arises. With wisdom, we can see what’s happening clearly; we don’t try to do the impossible but see what we can do to meet the situation.” — Myoshin Kelley
This is a very, very difficult time right now. Around the world, people are struggling with conflicts, intolerance and inequity, poverty, and the effects of climate change. The pandemic and other serious illnesses continue to create suffering, too.
In popular imagination, Buddhism is often seen as equating life with suffering, but that’s not really accurate. In fact, Buddhism sees a lot of suffering as completely avoidable.
“Your awareness is bigger than your negative thoughts. So when you can hold sensations in your awareness, that is kindness. If you feel like you can’t let go of your aversion to some of them, that’s okay too. Just be with your aversion. When you allow yourself to have an aversion, that is love. That is compassion. That is forgiveness. So anything is okay: panic is okay, depression is okay. Guilt, destructive thoughts, whatever — it’s okay. All of these feelings are just like clouds in the sky, coming and going.”
2025© Tergar International. The Tergar logo is a registered service mark of Tergar international.
