Compassion Exercise

Today I'd like to share an excellent compassion exercise that comes from Harry Palmer's fascinating book, Resurfacing: Techniques for Exploring Consciousness.

Honesty with one's self leads to compassion for others.

Objective:
To Increase the amount of compassion in the world.

Expected Result:
Increase in understanding and a personal sense of peace.

Instructions:
This exercise can be done anywhere that people congregate (malls, restaurants,airports, events, beaches, etc.). It should be done on strangers, unobtrusively, and from some distance.

Try to do all five steps on the same person.

Steps:

1. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness for (his or her) life."
   
   
2. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in (his or her) life."
   
   
3. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness, and despair."
   
   
4. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is seeking to fill (his or her) needs."
   
   
5. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is learning about life."

Try this exercise in compassion. I guarantee you'll like the way you feel after doing it.

Chet Day
Editor, The Health Circus
http://chetday.com