In this Earth World it is easy to get lost in the illusions. To break free of the illusions, we need a map and when a map isn’t available we need a guide. Thank God that from time to time these guides come to us to show us what to do and how to get to our desired destination which is usually happiness. We all just want to be happy, but we get lost and then we suffer. When that happens we need compassion.
Compassion is: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Synonyms are:
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Compassion is a deeply moving word as it contains the within it hope for the relief of suffering.
It is hard to write about compassion without referencing suffering. It was for the relief of suffering that we remember both Jesus and Buddha. Both saw the suffering around them in the world and gave their lives in exchange for the removal of suffering. In practice both had disciples or students whose charge it was to learn from them and then spread the knowledge of the truth to relieve the suffering of the world.
From what we read, Jesus came to Jerusalem knowing full well the cost of his ministry, his life and his own suffering before being hung up on a cross. Buddha gave up his life of comfort and his kingdom to become enlightened and later to teach the world how to end suffering.
But what was the strength in their compassion to help others? Knowledge. Knowledge of the truth. If you KNOW something which is the deeper side of belief you can walk through the pain of it so that you can show others the way.
From these examples we know that the price of liberation is a personal and individual journey from faith and believing to knowing. It takes a commitment to obtain liberation from suffering. That commitment is to stay on the path in faith, believing that you will get to the “promised land” where suffering does not exist, and while on the journey speak and do only that which brings good.
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