Compassion First???
A requirement and priority for being human
as well as a test of the authenticity of all the religious as well as the nonreligious.
It seems we have forgotten.
We must remember what we’ve always known.
If we are to live together as human beings, then we must learn to put love central to our politics and our religion.
As the Dalai Lama says, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
"Rather than take religious views and teachings to be ultimate statements of absolute truth, they might be better understood as skillful means to liberate the mind. Instead of pitting one view against another, we might let go of rigid attachment to any view, and ask the very pragmatic question, “Is this teaching leading my heart and mind to greater wisdom and peace, to greater kindness and compassion? Or does it lead to more divisiveness, to more selfishness, to more violence?” ("Mindfulness, Compassion & Wisdom: Three Means To Peace" by Joseph Goldstein)
“A compassionate city is an uncomfortable city!
A city that is uncomfortable when anyone is homeless or hungry.
Uncomfortable if every child isn't loved and given rich opportunities to grow and thrive.
Uncomfortable when any group anywhere in the world is marginalized or oppressed.
Uncomfortable when as a community we don't treat our neighbors as we would wish to be treated.”
(Karen Armstrong,
Charter for Compassion)
