🌀

though empathy has come under attack recently (which really is crazy, isn’t it?!), the argument for the value & benefit of empathy in the light of all the cruelty & harm we are seeing could not be starker. we are seeing in real time what a lack of empathy looks like & the ripple effect this has on communities, our country, & the world. the rise of authoritarianism & fascism, ethnic cleansing & genocide, endless wars & all around oppression, is directly related to a decline in our valuing of empathy. yet our greatest spiritual teachers emphasize such heart quality. the Buddha, in the 10th chapter of the Dhammapada states, “All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.” this is empathy. Jesus, says in the gospels of Matthew & Luke “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. also in Matthew, Jesus states, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” is not empathy necessary in each of these scenarios? personally, i see empathy as our superpower. it is the aspect of love that allows connection for love & space to love. my choice to engage the power of empathy is what allows me to maintain my sacred duty to love, my humanity, my dignity. it is what allows us to stay human instead of becoming monsters.

what does it say about those who choose otherwise?

~j

⭕️♥️🙏🏼

#empathy #OpenHeart #love #LoveThyNeighbor #bodhisattvas #JinpaLhaga #JMWart #calligraphy