Perreault Magazine - 30 -
Continued from page 29
A CONVERSATION WITH
LOBSANG
BP: Please tell us what the word ‘COMPASSION’ means to you, Lobsang, and how it has evolved from your teachings into your life today.
lP: Compassion for me is a two-step action. It involves considering everyone to be equally important as myself and to put myself in the other person’s place and see a situation or problem from his/her perspective. The first quality of compassion allows me to see and respect others for who they are. It empowers me to see potential in them instead of seeing them as weak and helpless. There is no feeling of “Oh, poor you, you need my help!” rather I can see them as amazing and capable human beings.
The second quality allows me to see things from their side and understand what their need or challenges might be. Through this understanding, I know how I can help them and have patience to support for as long as it is needed.
These are two very important and inherent qualities of compassion and to truly act compassionately, our every action must pass through these filters. For example, when we think of helping someone, by seeing them as equally important as ourselves and seeing the situation from their perspective, we don’t come from a place of charity. Charity, by nature, is hierarchical. There is a giver (on a higher plane) and a receiver (at a lower plane). However, when our desire to help passes through these two compassionate filters, our focus shifts to the other person; it is not on us. We are guided by what the person needs and not our self indulgence and gratification. Reflecting on these qualities of compassion removes the “I” from giving and puts both the giver and the receiver on the same leveled plane.
My work and daily actions are strongly guided by this understanding. I don’t see the children at the Community as acts of charity that I am saving; rather I see them as highly capable individuals with great potential for themselves, this region and the world at large. I see my role as someone who needs to support, nurture and guide them so they can achieve their highest potential and dreams.
Only actions guided by such an understanding and set of values are true acts of compassion. Compassion, for me, is not a mere sentiment or feeling, it is a bold and courageous action based on sound reasoning and understanding.