In the Introduction to “Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World”, Matthieu Ricard writes that “A few years ago, when I was getting ready to go on retreat in the mountains of Nepal, I sought some advice from the Dalai Lama. “In the beginning, meditate on compassion; in the middle, meditate on compassion; in the end, meditate on compassion,” he told me.”
Joseph Campbell tells us (“A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living”) that “Compassion for me….is an immediate participation in the suffering of another to such a degree that you forget yourself and your own safety and spontaneously do what’s necessary.”
And why is this important? Joseph gives us this gem.
“Survival is the second law of life.
The first is that we are all one.”
Peace 😊