Whenever I'm reading a Buddhist text or a self-help book, compassion always comes up but everyone seems to have have a different opinion on what compassion means. It seems like a broad concept to me and whenever the word is used - I find it hard to put a specific meaning to it (e.g. Empathy: Putting yourself in someone else's shoes). As a result I think I kind of switch off a bit whenever I see or hear the word. What are your opinions?
Hi Mangotree, have you heard of Karen Armstrong? She has spoken about compassion quite a bit and you may be interested to hear her thoughts. She is a very good and wise speaker and I'm always interested to listen to her. If you go to fora.tv website and type her name in the search bar it will bring up a whole load of talks she has given on the subject of compassion. Also, check out the charter for compassion website. Maybe this will help define the term a bit more... then again, it may add another layer of confusion?
I will also check the link Linco. For me compassion means caring for creatures that needs caring... like those who can't defend themselves, wronged or suffering. However as I see animals as innocents it is hard to find compassion for humans in me. As usually humans only cares for themselves so my compassion means nothing to them. I come off as cruel to most. Confusing? Yeah for me as well... so just going with flow.