In Buddhist teachings, there are three types of compassion: good, better and best. 

Good compassion is ordinary compassion. It is the natural feeling of wanting to relieve suffering from other people, particularly those who are close to us.

Better compassion is immeasurable compassion. It expands beyond a limited scope and includes all sentient beings. It’s feeling the same compassion equally for our friends, family, strangers and enemies. 

Best compassion is the greatest form of compassion. This is taking full responsibility to liberate all beings from all levels of suffering. This type of compassion is a characteristic of a fully enlightened being. 

It’s difficult to look around the world and not feel compassion for those who suffer. But wherever we are on this good-better-best continuum of compassion, we can develop and deepen the compassion we feel and express in our everyday lives.

The Master Saint Goo-Ling said:

“Sometimes it is necessary to act with firmness, but never necessary to act without compassion and mercy, which is Divine Blessing.”

And in The Twelve Blessings, the Master Jesus said:

“Be good, be tolerant, be kind, be merciful, be gentle, be humble and you will be great.”

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I was recently reminded that I need to love all people, even if I don’t always like them. 

This was illustrated by my cat. 

I love my cat and he is very sweet but occasionally he gets a little too excited and will bite or scratch me.

He doesn’t mean to hurt me, but he doesn’t know what to do with the energy that he has. 

But when this happens, I still love him. I don’t like him very much for about 10 minutes, but I feel compassion for him in that he is just a cat and he is learning. 

I have tried to transfer this to people. 

When someone seems to be making a hurtful decision, or lets me down, I try to think about where they are coming from. Why do they feel this way? 

I try to remember that all of us are just learning and doing the best we can. By understanding a person or their actions, I feel I can develop better compassion for all people.

Something you can try
Performing regular spiritual practices can help cultivate compassion. One excellent practice for this is The Twelve Blessings. This balanced send of blessings and prayers will help raise your consciousness so that you can set out greater power to those who need it.

Do you feel that you are becoming more compassionate?