“I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend”
~Dalai Lama.
So, what would be Calvin’s take on compassion?
In my opinion, it would be :
I doubt that Susie would think Calvin was compassionate. 🙂
Cheerful Monk recently posted..Water Rights
And I doubt that Calvin would want her to think that!
Also, as you know, I have low expectations for myself. That means I can say, “Yay, Jean!” if I do the least little thing.
Cheerful Monk recently posted..Water Rights
Quite. And I join you in saying Yay Jean!
let’s see… being a proclaimed supposed ‘under achiever’ all my life…
proclaimed always by extroverts with no understanding of happy introverts… i would say i must have low expectations.
not only of myself … but probably others as well.
but what a profound statement from the dalai lama. so interesting to think of it that way. we are such self centered creatures!
i am guilty of looking at some people’s behavior and thinking
WHY IN THE WORLD???? so maybe my expectations aren’t that low!
LOLOL!
and I ADORE calvin and hobbes. have all his books.
you have made me want to get them out and re read them all! thanks!
tammy j recently posted..pioneer spirit?
It would be a miserable world if all of us were achievers and overachievers Tammy. I would rather take comfort in numbers.
Hi Rummy,
Like King Solomon said, there’s a time for everything. So, I think there’s a time to be compassionate and a time not to be.
Cheers
Max Coutinho recently posted..Khorasan: Al-Qaeda’s SWOT Team
Yes, and we go back to Relativism. Can’t escape that phenomenon.
Rummy, not sure whether Relativism applies (because it’s not a question of whether the value holds universally or not) but perhaps Pragmatism (i.e. you know that compassion must be there but sometimes you need to put it in a drawer to solve problems)?
Max Coutinho recently posted..Fear Freezes Your Mind, then Your Body, then Your Future
In this me, me, me world it is becoming a rare quality indeed. Weeping for strangers is a known antidote.
XO
WWW
wisewebwoman recently posted..A Fresh Eye
That is a lovely way of putting it WWW. We do not seem to have the time nor the inclination to weep for strangers.
I like what the Dalai Lama has to say. A few years ago I learned a bit of a new slant from Pema Chodron’s quote “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”
― Pema Chödrön,
Mother recently posted..World Peace and Prayer Day
The Dalai Lama and Pema Chodron between them can bring about a lot of understanding about ourselves if we are willing to be open to them.
For me, the Dalai Lama lends truth to his teachings by his obvious joy. And Pema Chodron speaks from such a real place of experience that I believe her.
Mother recently posted..World Peace and Prayer Day