A Word on Compassion

Photo: tricitytkd.com/blog

I recently heard about the death of someone I used to know. In light of this tragedy and in honor of the family of the departed, I present to you my thoughts on suffering and compassion.

Holding on too tight to people compels them to back away from you. Conversely, pushing people away will instill in them a desire to be closer.

From a Buddhist perspective, suffering, or dukkha, stems from attachment and avoidance. Take a walk in the forest, and you’ll understand. You’ll find the cutest baby bunny you simply must cuddle with. You chase it. It runs. You suffer. Next, you’ll happen upon the corpse of an unfortunate mockingbird lying limply in the leaves. You veer away. You avoid it. You suffer.

Fortunately, your suffering lasts as long as it take to remember you have a puppy waiting for you at home to be snuggled, or a nice hot bubble bath waiting for you to rinse whatever dead bird particles made it onto your skin. So what happens when your suffering lasts longer? If you’ve ever been to a funeral, you know providing comfort for the bereaved is a delicate task. Maybe you’ll feel the need to relay your exact location when you heard about the death. Or you’ll accidentally smother the mourners in an attempt to lend a helping hand. Or, perhaps, most unfortunately, you’ll talk at lengths about the most recent death in your own family in an attempt to relate.

We can avoid these clumsy acts by practicing compassion. Buddhist thought states that compassion for all sentient beings helps eliminate suffering in others and in oneself. Try to sit down and send positive thoughts out into the universe. You will eliminate your own suffering in a sincere attempt to eliminate the suffering of others.

Like this topic? Contribute your thoughts in the comments section below.