This is about big-c-Compassion \u2015 not something pity-like. [see: \u201cEssence of Compassion<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please also read [see: \u201cGrowth, Compassion, Love<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compassion will not happen without effort.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Compassionate person doesn\u2019t mind the effort. Like Grace [see: \u201cGrace<\/a>\u201d], Compassion needs to be earned. Eventually, it may come spontaneously, but not by miracle, nor by talking about it. The final spontaneity is the result of effort \u2015 sometimes a considerable amount of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This effort lies in personal growth. [see Cat.: \u201cPersonal Growth<\/a>\u201d] Basically, it is a development at the subconceptual level [see: \u201cAbout \u2018Subconceptual\u2019<\/a>\u201d] \u2015 thus, by definition, pretty vague. It\u2019s easy to use the terminology without much insight. It\u2019s easy to think one is doing great stuff in personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is precisely a condition that may thwart it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Humility is crucial<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re talking about growth, becoming better, more meaningful, more \u2018worthy\u2019 as a total person, more Compassionate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, people who want to build on Compassion in this world must understand and practice \u2018humility of ego.\u2019 [see: \u201cHumility<\/a>\u201d] In my understanding and experience, this requires continual practice. Otherwise, the ego knows many ways to put itself on a pedestal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more growth as a total person \u2013 which is what we are talking about \u2013 the more the ego must stay humble, even while it finds it harder to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mere-ego is like a shell that prevents all inner growth.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This shell is the basic cognitive illusion<\/em> of seeing everything through invisible inner glasses. [see: \u201cThe Basic Cognitive Illusion<\/a>\u201d].<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may make anything related to the subconceptual either invisible or seem like something straightforward, childlike even. And in a way, it is. One needs to keep a beginner\u2019s mind. [see: \u201cBeginner\u2019s Mind, Forever<\/a>\u201d] However, in this very same way, it is hugely complex. Beginner\u2019s mind is \u2013 in the culture of its origin \u2013 the mind of the Zen master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not-knowing while knowing very well. [see: \u201cInto the Not-Knowing<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n A meditative mindset is essential.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a Buddhist image, the meditative mindset is the pond\u2019s soil in which lotus flowers may grow. The flowers are acts of Compassion, big or small, life-changing or just a deep-friendly word \u2015 which may also be life-changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soil is humble, yet without it, there are no flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Formal meditation (on a cushion, for instance) may not be needed, but the mindset is. This has been correctly sensed in much of Buddhism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a Compassionate mindset.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, it\u2019s what inner growth is about: growing from and towards this mindset. It\u2019s like filling one\u2019s inner bucket until it overflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Out flows Compassion. [see: \u201cIn-Depth Compassion<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracefully.<\/p>\n