Developing Understanding and Compassion

Compassion changes your life and makes it wonderful. Compassion requires understanding. When we are able to understand that someone else is also suffering, that this person has troubles, fears and worries, then we want to relieve their suffering. When we are mindful as we go about our daily activities and in our interactions with others, we develop the space and awareness to nourish compassion and understanding. Compassion is the heart of our practice. It is only with compassion that we can embrace and transform all types of violence and meanness. Only when we treat ourselves with compassion, can we begin to be free in the present moment. This is true in relationships between individuals as well as between nations.

~ thich nhat hanh