There is compassion that feeds the ego
and there is compassion that humbles it.
Compassion that feeds the ego
is a sense of pity for those who stand beneath you.
Compassion that humbles
is born of a deeper understanding of the order of things:
When you understand that the other guy is lacking
in order that you may be privileged to help him
—then you are truly humbled.
I don't feel Hashem gives pain to a Yid in order for another Yid to have the privilege to help.The priviledge is that you see the others pain and don't ignore it. Reply
Did they say Hashem is the cause of sickness. No! He wants you well. Reply
ego can hide ;-))
hm.. I think could be pretty much "ego" to think your fellowman is suffering "in order that you may be priviliged to help him". The sneaky ego-thing is: it could make you feel good to help him;-)) You, the benevolent one. Should you be grateful he suffers for you? Sounds wrong to me as I am sad he has to suffer.
When Your fellowman is suffering there can be a 1000 reasons why. Lessons to learn perhaps. Suffering can polish a diamant... did mine ;)Just be glad you are able to help him, if he is oke with that, that might be enough...?
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how you can feel humble thinking that it's for your privilege at the same time? Reply
Another opportunity to practice Tikkun Olam. Reply
Humble Compassion
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Murrah building bombing in Oklahoma City, the first act of domestic terrorism in US history. In 32 minutes (9:02 CDT), there will be a moment of silence - 168 seconds long to remember those who were slaughtered.
The news early this morning talked about compassion on that horrible day - people drove injured to the hospital, men removed their shirts and tore them into strips to make make-shift bandages and the lines to donate blood at various collection points were long. We saw strangers turn into neighbors on the TV, and there was no issues of race, color or creed ... an example of a "perfect" world. Even the crime rate dropped to zero - the criminals let law enforcement and emergency personnel do their jobs. (It only lasted a week - then a donation jar was stolen.)
Today, the site is a place of beauty - a memorial park with 168 chairs, the single surviving elm tree, reflective pool and museum; it is well worth the time to visit - and daven.
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Buddhist saying! "Compassion is not for other's sake", I was always wondering what this is all about. It's Buddhist saying I never understand. Now I understand! That makes perfect sense! Reply
"For my sake the world was created."" Whatever you see in this world that needs repair, whatever comes to your door to be healed, it is not for someone else, it is for you to repair and heal. And this is for the benefit of your soul, that by becoming a healer of the world, your soul will rise to the highest heights..
Should we not give" om niet"? For no-thing? Is there not the danger that we give in the hope our soul will rise to higher heights? And in a state of mind not wise enough ego will ( or can) make the help "unkosher"? the man or woman that needs repair will be infantilised instead of being brought to own strength. We are all equal though not the same. Every one is most happy giving and receiving in balance? Just a question. But from own experience I know I deeply longed to find own feet..
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Simple
When you understand that your fellow man is suffering in order that you may be privileged to help him —then you are truly humbled.
To me even that could in a hidden way feed ego. You, the privileged one that helps the poor one that has to suffer. Ai... Your fellow man is suffering. He is as you, part of all that is. And of course you help him if you can.
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WOW! ...Always amazing insights... but this is one of the really great ones! Todah! Reply
Incisive
This is one of the most incisive, brilliant, perceptive observations I have encountered within the last few days.
I simply am Awed, by the profundity of understanding!!!
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Humble Compassion - clarification
Rabbi Freeman's clarification on this daily Dose further cleared my quandary on "Helping" - the idea that one must see good in him in order to help; I didn't agree. It was resolved most of the way in "Helpful Knowledge" that if we know someone is in trouble, why would we be imparted with that knowledge if we could not be helpful?
Then today, I read your clarification on the "Rebbe's typical paradoxical style telling us to see two perspectives at once." My quandary was completely resolved.
Perhaps the paradoxical perspective was reinforced by one of the Talmud lessons on the four guardians. I had always seen thievery as wrong. Period. I had never stopped to think about the positive attributes of the thief - planning, "stick to itveness" and trying again in spite of a failure and correction of a mistake.
As for today's Daily Dose, knowing full wellimy definition is based on semantics, pity has always felt "negative" and empathy has felt positive. Now I know the reason.
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humbling Great ! Great inspiration ! Reply
the strike
In Israel the social workers are striking.
This is a very appropriate supportive message for them - will pass it around.
Most social workers suffer from " compassion fatigue". I know i am one!
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I don't want to be the cause of another’s sufferin A person suffering just so another may benefit by helping, is puzzling, for one would not want to be the cause of another’s suffering. But before going there, why suffering is possible in the first place is puzzling. One can understand how one can learn from hardships, be it others or their own, or understand how one can be elevated by helping another, or understand that we can suffer as a consequence of our own actions. But, good people suffering from say illness or because of things external to them like earthquakes, or worse, caused by the doings of others, such is what is initially perplexing. Then to go a step further, if I understood Freeman’s response, which is that one can suffer for another’s sake so that another can be in a situation to help, it’s all the more perplexing. I so don’t want to be the cause of another’s suffering, something I’d not do intentionally. Now, if one looks at it as, would not some willingly suffer for the sake of another, then it’s easier to understand Reply
Clarification
Some readers were a little confused by this one. Perhaps this will help:
The Mishna teaches that "every person is obligated to say, "For my sake the world was created."" The Baal Shem Tov explained: Whatever you see in this world that needs repair, whatever comes to your door to be healed, it is not for someone else, it is for you to repair and heal. And this is for the benefit of your soul, that by becoming a healer of the world, your soul will rise to the highest heights.
So this person comes into your life with a situation that must be repaired. S/he is suffering. Why?
From his/her point of view, there is a different explanation. After all, from that person's perspective, the world was created for his/her sake. But from your point of view, the world and this person's situation was created for your sake, to give your soul that opportunity to rise higher through an act of healing and kindness.
The Rebbe, in his typical paradoxical style, is telling us to see both perspectives at once and ask, "Why must this person suffer for my sake?" That is called true compassion and it is very humbling.
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humble compassion This should be the Hospice Creedo, as the many people who work for hospice, are compassionate and are humbled by the dying every day. It is a learning experience, a humbling experience and a spiritual journey. I am honored to be invited to be a companion on that journey. Reply
compassion
Indeed, man is privileged when he gives charity and when he is compassionate with the receiver!
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We live in a world where our values are defined by our desire to receive joy for myself.
Mostly we give in order to receive honour for myself.
The spiritual world is defined by opposite values.
Receiving takes the form of the opportunity to fill a lack for another.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to act like G_d.
God created us with a hunger for His Light so He could fill our lack with the abundance His Light has to give. Then we can pass that Light to those who lack.