It is an
extraordinary human ability to be able to shift from being me-focused to
other-focused. This can happen spontaneously
like in an emergency when, without thinking, we put ourselves aside for someone else or, on a more regular basis, when we cannot
rest knowing another is in pain. This
is compassion or sympathy, the human ability to suffer with another.
As quickly as we may open to others, we can snap shut again in an instant. We turn away from others’ pain and shut down to feeling. This is indifference or apathy- a form of ignoring others (literally, “not knowing” them). As much as this may preserve individual survival at times and perhaps, even, our bliss, ignorance causes tremendous suffering to others.
The Buddhist god of compassion, Avalokitesvara, is depicted as having one thousand hands and eyes with which to see and respond to suffering. Central to Avalokitesvara’s name is the word “lok” or “look”. To see, to know. This is conscience, the root of which is "science" (knowledge) and literally means to know within oneself or be conscious of.
As quickly as we may open to others, we can snap shut again in an instant. We turn away from others’ pain and shut down to feeling. This is indifference or apathy- a form of ignoring others (literally, “not knowing” them). As much as this may preserve individual survival at times and perhaps, even, our bliss, ignorance causes tremendous suffering to others.
The Buddhist god of compassion, Avalokitesvara, is depicted as having one thousand hands and eyes with which to see and respond to suffering. Central to Avalokitesvara’s name is the word “lok” or “look”. To see, to know. This is conscience, the root of which is "science" (knowledge) and literally means to know within oneself or be conscious of.
To respond from a place of compassion we must have access to conscience: to see, to feel, to know.
That is
the heart of living awake.
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