6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your lig

Literally “compassion” means to feel with. The word betokens more a felt solidarity with a person than positive feelings for a particular person.

You have to practice breathing mindfully in and out so that compassion always stays with you. “I am listening to him not only because I want to know what is inside him or to give him advice. I am listening to him just because I want to relieve his suffering.” That is called compassionate listening.

The other wing of the bird is compassion. Compassion is described in the texts as a quivering of the heart, such as when we look at the situation of others and three words arise in our consciousness: “just like me.” Compassion is the concrete manifestation of wisdom; it is wisdom applied. If we just have wisdom and no compassion, it’s a very cold,