The Alchemy of Compassion
How do we take compassion from an abstract concept to an embodied way we move through the world? This distinction has radically transformed my life. Embodied compassion is when there’s real tenderness and an active caring. But for many reasons, we can lose touch with a genuine sense of care for others.
Tara Brach, my favourite Buddhist teacher, talks about the sense of overwhelm we sometimes feel if we really let ourselves care about others as a reason for not feeling true compassion. That we might be overwhelmed by the pain and suffering of the world if we really paid attention to it. And right now, we can't deny that there is so much suffering in this world.
Yet the alchemy of compassion is that unless we’re willing to feel and be touched by suffering, it will only be an abstract compassion.
The Buddhist meditation Tonglen is a powerful practice to let our hearts be touched. You can bring to mind a person or a group of people who are going through a hard time. On the inhale say to yourself ‘May I be touched by this.’ On the exhale say ‘May you touch healing and peace.’ Continue for some rounds in this manner.
If we’re only breathing in, our limbic system gets agitated. We feel overwhelmed. But allowing ourselves to breathe out as well enables the heart to transform suffering. This simple, yet profound practice enhances our sense of belonging and connection to others. To move through our lives with embodied compassion.
by Lisa Ball