Compassion with a capital C \u2015 see Compassion, basically<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pity can be excellent.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In that case, it resembles Compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being touched by suffering is human. Compassion is not meant to be super-human. An emotional pity can even accompany Compassion. They are not incompatible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pity without Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This quickly turns into emotional contagion \u2014 see Landscape of Empathy<\/a>. In that case, it can have the opposite effect from Compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out of such pity, one can, for instance, give a child the surface-level attention it doesn\u2019t need or even loathes. The child may fare worse for it. Pitiful indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bringing Compassion to this brings depth, deep attention, and a different picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compassion does not mean the absence of any kind of emotion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Buddhism, this is not always clear. One may find descriptions of the path to Enlightenment that specifically urge for dropping emotions in a \u2018higher stage.\u2019 Emotions are supposed to block the entrance to the so-called Nirvana (Buddhist kind of heaven).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If following that symbolism, I don\u2019t think any emotion needs to be dropped. What needs to be carefully dropped is oneself \u2014 into the emotion \u2014 toward depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In more modern parlance, Compassion can be pretty emotional, but it doesn\u2019t need to be. It\u2019s nice when it is. Sometimes, not being very emotional can be more efficient. A hallmark of Enlightened Compassion is to have the choice, at least more than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This choice is special.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mere-ego may jump up now. Please put it to rest again. We\u2019re not talking about its kind of choosing. Seen from the ego, it\u2019s even rather a kind of being chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compassion gives a choice that more openly comes from the total person \u2014 this is, from where it always spontaneously comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This way, emotions are doors toward Compassion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But only if they are open in-depth. This is not only about pity but any emotion. Going through such a door is adventurous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The adventure may be frightening. This is why, in Buddhism, a teacher is recommended on the Enlightenment path. Unforeseen challenges may be encountered with huge opportunities and some threats. One huge threat is related to the big mistake between mere-ego and total self<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, the adventure is worth it for oneself, others, and humanity\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, it deserves all the support one can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n