The Manner of True Compassion
In the midst of debate upon the oft ambiguous pursuit of "good deeds", the wise Master and his pupil considered the manner of true compassion.
So said the Master: "There are many who set out to do good deeds, and likewise these may be accomplished to good end; however, these deeds are not necessarily compassionate, nor is it certain that such pursuit of good arises from a compassionate motivation."
The pupil nodded in understanding: "The noble goal is no assurance of a good outcome, a good deed no proof of an open heart."
"It is so," replied the Master.
Seeing that his pupil was in a proper contemplative mind, the Master set forth a test of comprehension: "Tell me, can a selfish person truly be compassionate?"
The pupil paused in thought, then replied: "No, for a selfish heart is closed to all others. No matter how kind such a person may be in mind and action, a selfish person projects his own self-interest upon others and is blinded by it. He mistakes the interests of himself for those of others, and is obsessed by it. This obsession leads to error and suffering, even if his intent is good, even if the superficial outcome seems good.
"It is so," replied the Master, "one must mistake kindness for compassion!"
Seeing that his student grasped the obvious, the Master set forth a second test: "Can a selfless person truly be compassionate?"
The pupil paused again, longer than before, then replied: "Surely, for that is the nature of compassion. In selflessness, a heart is fully open to others and sympathy flows unobstructed."
The Master frowned and his student became perplexed.
And the pupil exclaimed, "Surely, this must be correct!"
And the Master shook his head, "Do not mistake sympathy for compassion! No matter how sympathetic such a selfless person may be in heart and giving, a selfless person projects the needs of others upon himself and is consumed by them. He mistakes the interests of others for his own, and is obsessed by it. This obsession likewise leads to error and suffering, even if his sympathy is deep and his giving immeasurable. Consider the nature of compassion, and you will see why this is so."
And the student was silent a very long time, deep in thought.
At last, he spoke, "Compassion is a state of awareness and harmony between oneself and all others. Thus, it does not flow in one direction, out or in. Those who are blindly selfish or selfless tend to direct their feeling one way or the other, toward themselves or toward others, and act solely in this singular direction, ignoring all other conditions and consequence. This the source of the error and suffering."
And the Master nodded, "That is so. There are times when it is wise and appropriate to act in one's own interests, and likewise when one must set aside such self-interest to address the needs of others. Neither is always correct, neither is always right: clinging to either state will inevitably lead to error and harm. Selfishness and selflessness: neither is the fluid state in which compassion flows freely, for true compassion arises from a shared state of being, a balance of self and other, the single and the many, which together are all the One which is Everything, in which "self" and "not self" become meaningless. Deep awareness of this universal completeness is the wellspring of true compassion, not possessive attachment nor reckless abandon. True compassion is not superficial."
And the pupil asked, "Then how may one practice to ensure that one is truly compassionate in the pursuit of good deeds, and not become confused by inconsiderate kindness nor blind sympathy?"
And the Master replied, "To be truly compassionate, feel deeply and search your feelings. Make yourself aware of your heart and motivation, of the feelings and needs of life around you, and do not act out of presumption or superficial pity. Both inconsiderate kindness and blind sympathy may lead to greater suffering, if pursued without awareness of the true living moment and its consequences.
"Learn to perceive the living moment and the needs therein with all your senses, and develop a sound mind to see the interwoven choices and to devise effective action in that moment while foreseeing how this may proceed into future good or ill. Without such clear perception one cannot be properly aware for true compassion to exist. Without such sound reason, one cannot enact compassion to truly ease suffering. True compassion is never contradicted by clear perception or sound reason, and each likewise will confirm the others.
"This is the direct enaction of the Three Rays. When all Three shine clearly upon the living moment, truly good deeds will result."
And the student considered these things, and said to the Master, "Your teaching is wise, but this way seems very difficult."
And the Master answered: "True compassion is ever a difficult path, for one may need to do that which will be deemed disagreeable and unkind in its pursuit, but is correct; just as true perception will reveal undesirable and uncomfortably truths, but is correct; and true reason will shatter convenient delusions and false beliefs, but is correct.
"When the Three Rays reveal that an action in the living moment is the correct one, be confident that it is correct, and act accordingly. Act then in moderation. Act then in gentleness. Act then in clarity. In such action, the Three Rays will shine through you. You will be neither presumptuously selfish nor recklessly selfless, but fully aware of the living needs of moment, and act wisely. This is the manner of true compassion.
"And thus, you may be confident that your actions are truly compassionate."
The student bowed to the Master: "I will do my best to accomplish such certainty!"
Nodding, the Master replied, "One can do no more than that. Learn from your errors and be mindful of your successes. Apply the Three Rays to all your efforts, and surely you will accomplish this enlightened goal."
So said the Master: "There are many who set out to do good deeds, and likewise these may be accomplished to good end; however, these deeds are not necessarily compassionate, nor is it certain that such pursuit of good arises from a compassionate motivation."
The pupil nodded in understanding: "The noble goal is no assurance of a good outcome, a good deed no proof of an open heart."
"It is so," replied the Master.
Seeing that his pupil was in a proper contemplative mind, the Master set forth a test of comprehension: "Tell me, can a selfish person truly be compassionate?"
The pupil paused in thought, then replied: "No, for a selfish heart is closed to all others. No matter how kind such a person may be in mind and action, a selfish person projects his own self-interest upon others and is blinded by it. He mistakes the interests of himself for those of others, and is obsessed by it. This obsession leads to error and suffering, even if his intent is good, even if the superficial outcome seems good.
"It is so," replied the Master, "one must mistake kindness for compassion!"
Seeing that his student grasped the obvious, the Master set forth a second test: "Can a selfless person truly be compassionate?"
The pupil paused again, longer than before, then replied: "Surely, for that is the nature of compassion. In selflessness, a heart is fully open to others and sympathy flows unobstructed."
The Master frowned and his student became perplexed.
And the pupil exclaimed, "Surely, this must be correct!"
And the Master shook his head, "Do not mistake sympathy for compassion! No matter how sympathetic such a selfless person may be in heart and giving, a selfless person projects the needs of others upon himself and is consumed by them. He mistakes the interests of others for his own, and is obsessed by it. This obsession likewise leads to error and suffering, even if his sympathy is deep and his giving immeasurable. Consider the nature of compassion, and you will see why this is so."
And the student was silent a very long time, deep in thought.
At last, he spoke, "Compassion is a state of awareness and harmony between oneself and all others. Thus, it does not flow in one direction, out or in. Those who are blindly selfish or selfless tend to direct their feeling one way or the other, toward themselves or toward others, and act solely in this singular direction, ignoring all other conditions and consequence. This the source of the error and suffering."
And the Master nodded, "That is so. There are times when it is wise and appropriate to act in one's own interests, and likewise when one must set aside such self-interest to address the needs of others. Neither is always correct, neither is always right: clinging to either state will inevitably lead to error and harm. Selfishness and selflessness: neither is the fluid state in which compassion flows freely, for true compassion arises from a shared state of being, a balance of self and other, the single and the many, which together are all the One which is Everything, in which "self" and "not self" become meaningless. Deep awareness of this universal completeness is the wellspring of true compassion, not possessive attachment nor reckless abandon. True compassion is not superficial."
And the pupil asked, "Then how may one practice to ensure that one is truly compassionate in the pursuit of good deeds, and not become confused by inconsiderate kindness nor blind sympathy?"
And the Master replied, "To be truly compassionate, feel deeply and search your feelings. Make yourself aware of your heart and motivation, of the feelings and needs of life around you, and do not act out of presumption or superficial pity. Both inconsiderate kindness and blind sympathy may lead to greater suffering, if pursued without awareness of the true living moment and its consequences.
"Learn to perceive the living moment and the needs therein with all your senses, and develop a sound mind to see the interwoven choices and to devise effective action in that moment while foreseeing how this may proceed into future good or ill. Without such clear perception one cannot be properly aware for true compassion to exist. Without such sound reason, one cannot enact compassion to truly ease suffering. True compassion is never contradicted by clear perception or sound reason, and each likewise will confirm the others.
"This is the direct enaction of the Three Rays. When all Three shine clearly upon the living moment, truly good deeds will result."
And the student considered these things, and said to the Master, "Your teaching is wise, but this way seems very difficult."
And the Master answered: "True compassion is ever a difficult path, for one may need to do that which will be deemed disagreeable and unkind in its pursuit, but is correct; just as true perception will reveal undesirable and uncomfortably truths, but is correct; and true reason will shatter convenient delusions and false beliefs, but is correct.
"When the Three Rays reveal that an action in the living moment is the correct one, be confident that it is correct, and act accordingly. Act then in moderation. Act then in gentleness. Act then in clarity. In such action, the Three Rays will shine through you. You will be neither presumptuously selfish nor recklessly selfless, but fully aware of the living needs of moment, and act wisely. This is the manner of true compassion.
"And thus, you may be confident that your actions are truly compassionate."
The student bowed to the Master: "I will do my best to accomplish such certainty!"
Nodding, the Master replied, "One can do no more than that. Learn from your errors and be mindful of your successes. Apply the Three Rays to all your efforts, and surely you will accomplish this enlightened goal."