“Compassion is the external expression of the love we feel inside…” Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī (Amma)
Compassion: The End Of Suffering… The Good Samaritan
When love becomes divine love, compassion also fills the heart. Love is the inner feeling and compassion is its expression. Compassion is expressing your heartfelt concern for someone — for a suffering human being. Therefore, love and compassion are two sides of the same coin; they coexist. Amma
What would end human suffering? greed? conflict? inequity? If we consider Amma’s words, it makes sense that compassion is a key factor to ending suffering; treating ourselves and others with loving consideration. If every time we want to do something selfish, mean or inconsiderate, we stop and consider the havoc our actions will wreck, most of us would act with more sensitivity. One of the many factors behind the economic downturn was the excess that occurred during the real estate boom. When the market tanked, we found out how greed, lies and misappropriation of financial instruments contributed to our predicament. Imagine how different the outcome would have been if all operated from a place of compassion.
“True worship of God is rendering help to those who are suffering.” Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī
Compassion: The End Of Suffering… Amma feeding the elephant named Lakshmi
A Man’s Story: “A man went to his doctor because he was feeling poorly. After the consultation, the doctor called the man’s wife into into his office and said, “Your husband is very sick and unless you do the following, he will die.” What must I do? She asked. ” Every day pamper him, cook all his favorite meals, never criticize his actions, smile a lot, love him without complaint, praise him, indulge his wishes, make sure all his needs are met and he won’t die.” Thanking the doctor, she left with her husband. On the way home, the man asked his wife, “What did the good doctor say to you?” Oh, she said, “he told me you are definitely going to die!”
“Compassion does not see the faults of others. It does not see the weaknesses of people. It makes no distinction between good and bad people. Compassion cannot draw a line between two countries, two faiths or two religions. Compassion has no ego; thus there is no fear, lust or passion. Compassion simply forgives and forgets. Compassion is like a passage. Everything passes through it. Nothing can stay there. Compassion is love expressed in all its fullness.” Amma
Amma shared the man’s story above in her talk on Tuesday. A spirit of compassion is an important quality to have; it means that we would never wish to hurt another soul. When we treat each other with disregard, without any compassion, the result is like the one above. The wife had no interest in changing her ways and if we act the same way towards others, we contribute to the suffering. Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī, known affectionately as Amma the hugging saint, is visiting Manhattan, at the Jacob Javits Center, and offering teachings and free hugs to all who need one. She leaves after the program ends early Thursday morning. More below
