Compassion

I thought that by building boundaries, not getting too close, and not caring too much, I could protect myself and avoid getting hurt. But Rinpoche said that what truly makes us feel lonely isn't the world, but that sense of separation. When we cut ourselves off from others, comparison, judgment, and defensiveness arise. And these are precisely the sources of suffering. Compassion isn't about sacrificing yourself, but about seeing that we're not so different after all. Everyone is afraid, everyone is trying, everyone is seeking understanding. When we're willing to let down our guard a little and understand others' anxieties, we can more easily see our own vulnerabilities. When we truly understand others, compassion isn't an effort; it flows naturally. Turns out, when we stop separating ourselves from the world, love was always there.