Empathy is that ability to put ourselves in the shoes of another, to see things from their perspective and to feel what they must feel based on that perspective. Understanding arises out of this and when we understand, really understand, forgiveness and compassion are inevitable. Consequently, I don't think real peace is possible unless we choose daily to cultivate a deep and pervasive sense of empathy for others.
Empathy requires us to see the other as ourselves, it wants us to remove the filter that gives us a distorted vision of the other, in order to reveal the other nothing more or less than a mirror image of ourselves--however unsettling this may be. As human beings we have much in common with each other, guided as we are by similar, predictable impulses and responses to stimuli in the environment.
Consequently, it is a mistake to assume that another's objectionable behaviour is something that bears no relationship to one's own. Conversely, it has everything to do with one's own and exists as an opportunity for learning something about the nature of humanity both as it expresses itself in ourselves and others.
Consequently, it is a mistake to assume that another's objectionable behaviour is something that bears no relationship to one's own. Conversely, it has everything to do with one's own and exists as an opportunity for learning something about the nature of humanity both as it expresses itself in ourselves and others.
One of the temptations when trying to locate empathy and compassion is to look outside one's self, but compassion and empathy already exist inside each one of us, and so the job is more to clear any discursive emotions clouding our perceptions, and to allow the empathy and compassion natural to us, to flow unimpeded to others around us.
As with many other things this is an inside job. Coming to terms with the dark side of ourselves and others is no small undertaking, and it is incumbent upon us to maintain a firm commitment to acknowledging its presence, respecting the lessons it has to teach us and to integrate it into our lives, so that it doesn't run wild and wreak havoc in our lives or the lives of others.
As with many other things this is an inside job. Coming to terms with the dark side of ourselves and others is no small undertaking, and it is incumbent upon us to maintain a firm commitment to acknowledging its presence, respecting the lessons it has to teach us and to integrate it into our lives, so that it doesn't run wild and wreak havoc in our lives or the lives of others.
Peace and love are often cheapened by sentimentality, but nothing could be more important for the present and future vitality of our lives, and the life of the earth on which we depend, than choosing to care deeply and make a commitment to facing our demons in a bid for resonant, harmonious living.
Compassion is only alive when it is lived. Likewise, peace-talk will only go so far, we must live passionately the values of love and empathy in both small ways and large, for the sake of both ourselves and others. Peace rests on our ability to forgive and forgiveness on our ability to understand.
Compassion is only alive when it is lived. Likewise, peace-talk will only go so far, we must live passionately the values of love and empathy in both small ways and large, for the sake of both ourselves and others. Peace rests on our ability to forgive and forgiveness on our ability to understand.
