The roots of compassion according to the dalai lama

The Calm Mind as Fertile Ground

According to the teachings of the Dalai Lama, genuine compassion cannot flourish in an agitated mind.

The basis for developing compassion is to cultivate a calm mind, a state of inner balance that is not constantly disturbed by afflictive emotions such as anger, envy, suspicion, or fear.

These emotions act like a veil that distorts our perception of reality and prevents us from seeing others clearly.

A calm mind, on the other hand, is capable of thinking rationally and objectively, creating the space for nobler feelings to emerge.

Overcoming Biases and Recognizing Shared Humanity

The next step is to consciously work on detaching ourselves from our biases.

We all have natural tendencies to favor our "in-group" (family, friends, people from our same culture or country) over others. others.

These biases are barriers to universal compassion.

The practice is to recognize these biases and, through reflection, begin to see beyond them.

The goal is to come to the profound realization that all human beings, without exception, are fundamentally the same as us: all desire happiness, and all desire to avoid suffering.

From Recognition to Genuine Concern

When we internalize this truth of our shared humanity, empathy and compassion arise naturally.

It is no longer an intellectual endeavor, but a response of the heart.

Seeing another human being, even a stranger or someone we consider an "enemy," and recognizing that, like us, they have longings, fears, and the right to be happy, engenders genuine concern for their well-being.

Compassion as a Natural State

From this perspective, compassion is not so much a learned skill as a state natural healing that is discovered by removing the mental obstructions (afflictive emotions and biases) that hide it.

Cultivating a calm mind and a vision of unity brings us to a point where compassion becomes our spontaneous response to the suffering of others.