What is compassion anyway?

We’re continuing on the theme of greeting yourself with open, friendly curiosity. This time, we approach it from the perspective of compassion. Compassion means something different to everyone, so in a sense, this is a meaningless word. Everyone nods in agreement, “Oh yes, we must give ourselves compassion.” But what does that even mean?

To me it means that we make a deep commitment, a promise, not to abandon ourselves, no matter what arises. No matter what we see in ourselves, we don’t turn away. We don’t reject. We don’t negate. We don’t escape.

This is much, much deeper than the idea of self acceptance. This is not just about accepting the things we don’t particularly appreciate about ourselves: our insecurities, our weaknesses, our afflictions, our pettiness. It’s something much deeper.

It’s having the strength to stay with our imperfect human experience. To remain steadfastly with our “selves”, no matter what, and to the very end. It’s a deep and unbreakable fidelity.