Compassion
An insight from Pema Chödrön
Today’s post continues a couple of threads which I mentioned earlier. The first is the “learning from all of life’s experiences” idea of Friedrich Nietzsche. The second is the “our own suffering as a bridge leading to empathy” illustrated by the Kramskoi painting of Jesus in the wilderness. I like the following saying by Pema Chödrön.
Pema Chödrön (photo above) is a beloved, best-selling American-born Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun and teacher. Chödrön has written several dozen books and audiobooks.
“We learn as much… from our failures as we do from our successes. In cultivating compassion we draw from the wholeness of our experience – our suffering, our empathy, as well as our cruelty and terror. It has to be this way. Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It is a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity. Pema Chödrön, The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times. Shambhala 2005, pages 66-67.
Self-honesty leads to honest relationships. Each of us has much to share with others, and much to learn from others. Care for yourself, and you will learn to care for others.
Hello friend. What a delight to see Pema's words in your post this morning. Thank you! Her books have been such an integral part of my journey, particularly periods when I was experiencing profound loss and grief. The Places that Scare You, When Things Fall Apart, and Living Beautifully have been great companions.