My definition of compassion is, an emotional awareness obligating one to alleviate another’s suffering. By default, compassion distracts us from ourselves. I recognize my lack of compassion and I have a desire to change and become compassionate. Where does the desire to be compassionate come from?
God calls us to be those who; are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, are pure in heart, are peacemakers, are persecuted because of righteousness.
Evidence of the spirit within us are those who exhibit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
In a way the word compassion summarizes many of these traits. As such, I have developed a belief that God desires for me to be compassionate. Therefore, the desire to be compassionate comes from wanting to please God.
I have been trying to practice being compassionate (pretending to be compassionate) hoping that I will become compassionate. My emotions have become aware (a broken heart), however I alleviate the suffering of others out of a desire to be compassionate rather than a true obligation.
The problem is the difficulty of ignoring the model of personal achievement and the temporary satisfactions that come with that model. Contemplation (my times seeking God) has 5 watts of power while the world has 100,000,000 watts. The ratio of the self motivated to the compassionate is overwhelming. It’s that current we talk about. I think this is why I talk and study about ways out of the current so often (Amish, Bruchko, Africa). I admit a place without the current doesn’t exist. But I bet those places have a much better ratio. But while I am here in this ratio, I have joined a community of people that at least want to be compassionate. We can work at it together?
The Father is compassionate, so says Jesus. Jesus lived compassion. Jesus told his followers of a new way to live, one that goes beyond ordinary love to exceptional love - the kind that is extended beyond our family and friends, and even to our enemies. He said to be compassionate. This is completely counter-cultural.
How do we become compassionate? Perhaps we go to the source. We know when we are taping into the source when we begin to will ourselves in the direction of compassion.
Contemplation and action. Dropping in and moving out.
3 comments:
My definition of compassion is, an emotional awareness obligating one to alleviate another’s suffering. By default, compassion distracts us from ourselves. I recognize my lack of compassion and I have a desire to change and become compassionate. Where does the desire to be compassionate come from?
God calls us to be those who; are poor in spirit, mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, are pure in heart, are peacemakers, are persecuted because of righteousness.
Evidence of the spirit within us are those who exhibit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
In a way the word compassion summarizes many of these traits. As such, I have developed a belief that God desires for me to be compassionate. Therefore, the desire to be compassionate comes from wanting to please God.
I have been trying to practice being compassionate (pretending to be compassionate) hoping that I will become compassionate. My emotions have become aware (a broken heart), however I alleviate the suffering of others out of a desire to be compassionate rather than a true obligation.
The problem is the difficulty of ignoring the model of personal achievement and the temporary satisfactions that come with that model. Contemplation (my times seeking God) has 5 watts of power while the world has 100,000,000 watts. The ratio of the self motivated to the compassionate is overwhelming. It’s that current we talk about. I think this is why I talk and study about ways out of the current so often (Amish, Bruchko, Africa). I admit a place without the current doesn’t exist. But I bet those places have a much better ratio. But while I am here in this ratio, I have joined a community of people that at least want to be compassionate. We can work at it together?
I agree, Keith or Becky.
The Father is compassionate, so says Jesus. Jesus lived compassion. Jesus told his followers of a new way to live, one that goes beyond ordinary love to exceptional love - the kind that is extended beyond our family and friends, and even to our enemies. He said to be compassionate. This is completely counter-cultural.
How do we become compassionate? Perhaps we go to the source. We know when we are taping into the source when we begin to will ourselves in the direction of compassion.
Contemplation and action. Dropping in and moving out.
How do we drop in again?
Tomorrow, I propose we drop in, listen to her story and see what happens. Will there be compassion?
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