Compassion can be defined as a feeling of deep empathy for another who is struck by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate their suffering. True compassion arises when one genuinely feels for others, considers their problems or suffering as one’s own, and positively initiates a genuine attempt to help them.
Compassion is not just a feeling. It is a part of a general attitude or mindset or helping others, which results in helpful, supportive or remedial actions.
The spiritual science has always expounded that the goal of every human being should be that of serving others by whatever means one can and according to one’s skillset and ability; because when one has an obliging nature and compassion for others, one’s own spiritual growth and happiness automatically increases as a direct consequence.
Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan says that compassion is an intent that is felt for everyone in this world. The whole world is trapped in worldly miseries. Seeing this, intent arises within that how can their miseries be alleviated?
Religion begins from the moment you begin to give happiness to others. Compassion begins when one is not worried about his own happiness but is constantly preoccupied with helping others in difficulty. Empathy, kindness, concern and consideration for others are different aspects of a compassionate behavior.
Is ego capable of compassion?
Ego is in fact the enemy of compassion. An egoist may sometimes project a compassionate nature outwardly. But it is only a facade to glorify one’s public image by making the world feel that he or she is a great philanthropist and possesses such high values.
Ego is never capable of genuine compassion as both are diametrically opposite. Both are attributes of a different direction altogether. Ego is a negative trait whereas compassion is a positive trait. Ego is one of the stumbling blocks on the path towards salvation whereas compassion is one of the virtues which qualifies one to be a spiritual person.
An egoist, due to his materialistic outlook, may believe a compassionate person to be a fool. But for an empathetic person, an egoist is a naive person blinded by illusory attachment. On a spiritual level, as soon as one moves towards the state of higher consciousness, the ego starts dissolving. Thus purification of heart takes place resulting in a compassionate and empathetic nature.
How can you remove the ego?
By just chanting ‘I am not John, I am not the doer’, you cannot remove your ego nor your egoism. To dissolve the ego and to get rid of egoism, you must first realize who you are and who is the doer. Through the grace of the Gnani, when you realize who you are, you understand “Oh! I am not John, This is John. And I am Pure Soul.” Only then the ego dissolves! And that is not enough! The Gnani also brings us in awareness of ‘who is the doer?’ When you understand who is the real doer, your egoism automatically leaves.
Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan has further said – “Knowledge of the Self (Gnan) is born only out of compassion (karuna). The One for whom the seed of kaarunyata (unconditional, constant compassion) has been sown, for Him, the Gnan will definitely manifest.”
Thus, compassion is the sign that a person has become self-realized and free from all attachments and is only left with pure love. Pure love exists where there is no selfishness and no feelings of “your-mine”.
Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifest within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.