Formal meditation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, the beautiful action \u2015 in my view, warm and friendly. [see: \u201cTrue Meditation is Warm and Friendly<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n At least this kind of meditation is a direct practice of Compassion towards yourself, then towards others, and all sentient beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soto, Rinzai<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n are two of many traditions and kinds of meditation. Of these two Chan\/Zen types, the way towards enlightenment takes years to the former and is a rather instant happening to the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This already shows substantial differences. The world of meditation is a giant patchwork. The genuine, overarching goal is enlightenment, not always Compassion. Of course, it can be. [see: \u201cMeditating on Compassion<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Optimally towards our goal, formal meditation is an exquisite instrument, although not a necessary one. If you like guided meditation, here’s a free app for you<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complex Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a deep insight into the complexity of complexity is another excellent support towards Compassion. [see: \u201cComplex is not Complicated<\/a>\u201d] [see: “Complexity of Complexity<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complexity is mainly what makes Compassion difficult. It also shows the rationale for meditation as a road towards complexity \u2015 called Emptiness in Chan\/Zen. We can bring this together with modern science and the subconceptual oneness of mental and neuronal patterns. [see: \u201cPatterns in Neurophysiology<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Buddhism, much thought goes to \u2018ego\u2019 \u2013 better: mere-ego [see: \u201cThe Story of Ego<\/a>\u201d] \u2013 as hindering enlightenment. That\u2019s a perfect point. Ego is fundamentally not about complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lower that wall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mere-ego is like a wall that hinders deep communication towards oneself (depth inside) and others. In other words, it hampers Compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ego is crucial. Mere-ego is an aberration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The point of Compassion is to lower the wall and be present, awake, as a total-person. This is also an ethical stance for Compassion to turn out all right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, we have three orientations: meditation, insight, ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In caregiving situations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Psychotherapeutic modalities don\u2019t contribute to effectiveness. [see: \u201cPsychotherapy vs. Psychotherapies<\/a>\u201d] If one wants to be straight open with clients\/patients, only the empathic range remains interesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Open your empathy towards complexity \u2013 beyond the conceptual \u2013 and you are at Compassion. [see: \u201cEmpathy \u2013 Part 3: \u2018Beyond the Conceptual\u2019<\/a>\u201d] It may then become noticeable that its effectiveness is immensely underrated. Yet, no instruments-between-people can heighten this. Note that ego can search for them for very many years, but it doesn\u2019t work that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For practicing Compassion, what is needed is You as a total-person.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, and only then, the quality depends on what is inside You. You can heighten this by being Compassionate, by listening deeply in many situations. [see: \u201cDeep Listening<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a professional caregiver, of course, these are never far away. People specifically come to you for this. I know. I have been one for years as a physician and a coach. And I dare say, I have learned something profound from every single consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is open to every person. It\u2019s like a bucket that gets filled and spontaneously overflows. In this act, nothing gets lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the contrary.<\/p>\n