RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

What is the Role of Compassion?

Sanatana Dharma emphasizes compassion as the main attitude we should have toward other creatures, and charity or giving, as the main duty we need to perform in life. Compassion consists of offering prayers, blessings and good wishes to all beings, including animals, plants, departed ancestors and inhabitants of subtle worlds. Charity consists of actions done to benefit other people and the world, not merely material aid but service, including teaching.

Yet charity is part of the outer dimension of the teaching. In the Oneness of Reality there is really no one to give and no one to receive. True compassion must rest upon Self-knowledge or it is a separative act. True compassion is not helping those we consider to be weak, poor or deprived, but respecting and nurturing the Divine Self in all creatures.

Compassion toward others should be balanced with devotion to the Divine. True compassion comes from the Divine and flows through us by the strength of our devotion. True compassion has no secret motive to gain, or to receive recognition as being a compassionate person. It is part of the movement of Oneness wherein we do not see any real difference between self and other.

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