Where does compassion stand when the judgement kicks in?
Compassion and judgement are not the two opposites.
Let’s look at different roles judgement can assume in our lives, how it manifests, and what are some of its pros and cons.
To start with, judging can be a type of behaviour, a habit, tendency of one’s reaction to different events. For example, I can judge myself, various situations, or other people.
On the other hand, judging can also be a very useful process and a skill to be applied while using clarity and wisdom. We use judgment to correctly estimate the situation and act accordingly. Let’s say you’re interviewing a candidate for a new job. You have to apply judgment to assess the suitability of that candidate for the offered position.
What about compassion?
Take a look at the image with me and my dog Daisy. It’s so easy for me to feel compassion for her. The same kind of energy goes for a child; when they’re playing or simply being. All I have to do is relax, soften up, connect and I get a feel of the bonding sensation, a feeling between me and another human being who is pure love. I am able to see “divine” in a waking state. That is compassion for me.
It’s quite easy to connect, to see “noble virtues” in children or Daisy, or other people who I love and trust. Though that is not always the case.
At times, people’s actions come across as cruel, due to my own experience and perception. When my own judgement kicks in it distorts the ability for me to feel any bond or compassion for that person. My ego flares up, all I can see in that moment is a person I cannot trust. I have to try hard to move beyond my judgmental ego, to calm down, to see beyond my limitations, and remain clear and composed (not only on surface).
Could ego be the dividing force that prevents us from feeling compassion? Because, when my ego flares up and interferes, any room for compassion disappears.
I believe compassion arises through us all, out of love for another. Another being, a plant, visible, or non-visible object.
In that very moment, the that what I see is extension of me. The I recognize the self in the other. It is the same self itself. Not two, nor three, but one. One self, like one sun, reflecting through milliards of mirrors. Its purpose to shine.
The cleaner my mirror, the more I reflect, extending my luster & shine.
Like the full moon, continuously rising, waning, reflecting. Sometimes less, sometimes more, sometimes not, and sometimes fully…
Become like the full moon, my friend, bring through your full light, especially when the night appears to be dark.
Every mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, or a child has experienced compassion. There’s not a single human under the Sun, who hasn’t. We all have it, we all know it, it happens through all of us at one point or another.
I think we only narrowed it down a bit, shrank the orbits of our compassionate selves, showing it only towards those closest to our heart, to those we love.
Yet the sun shines for all, doesn’t it?
You matter just as much as I matter. We all matter, we all can smile and shine the light.
Matter=physical substance=all life forms=Prakriti, Shakti—through which the Purusha, Atman, the Sun=pure awareness= consciousness—shines.
We rely on the Sun’s energy to live on Earth, and we all have the same potential to shine that light, to live life, and to support life on Earth. Simply plant a sunflower seed – or any seed – give it the right kind of environment, watch it grow, and you will see.
As above, so below, as within so without.
Further reading: I found this beautiful piece on The Ancient Yoga of the Sun. It resonates deeply.
