I once heard someone say that to reach the highest level of compassion one would have to be God or Buddha. If this is true, then I was wondering how close can a human being come to this level of compassion. I mean are we capable as human beings of ever reaching that level of compassion or is our time here just about trying to come close. Just some philosophical questions.
The highest level of compassion? I've never heard anyone grade the levels of compassion. Never...
I don't think there is any such thing....
My teachings speak of ever widening circles starting with practicing compassion for one's Self and radiating outward to all sentient beings and then the world.
No levels of high or low.
To me that suggests "better than" or "not as good as" kinds of judgment. In Buddhist teachings - that kind of thinking(judgment) is discouraged as it does not lead to increasing abilities of compassion.
For example: I would not think myself more compassionate than anyone here. Either I am - in any given situation - or I am not. Maybe my circles are larger than some in one respect - but smaller in other aspects of life.
If we are all standing still in a very calm shallow pool - there are no circular waves around us. But as any of us move - there will be waves radiating outward in all directions. The distance they go is based upon the effort or the strength of the movement - yes?
In a calm shallow pool - our movements easily make the waves radiate outward. But what if one is in a deep choppy pool?
The way I see myself - the strength of my movement in the shallow pool might not be enough to make even one little circle around me in the deep choppy one. So I practice compassion - to strengthen it - for when I find myself in the deep choppy pool.
I listened to this talk given by Tara Brach yesterday morning and thought of you. I also laughed at her stories too. She's very adept at describing the difficulties we are confronted with in our lives. She's also good at weaving small methods you can practice while listening to her - to help one develop and increase ability.
The Divine Abodes: Compassion
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/14202/
On another note: It is taught - that when one finds themselves in a situation where they just cannot seem to bring forth the compassion within - then it's best to just feel compassion for the Self. To honor the struggle one is going through. To honor their intention of compassion - but cannot feel it at the moment. When one does this for themselves - it increases one's ability to have compassion for others.
This is true. I found myself just in that situation this morning and I finally gave up and just focused on me. I felt such peace. It became easier to think with clarity and accept me for who I am at the moment.
I think it's important for INxJs - and people struggling with depressive and sad thoughts - to practice it on themselves first. It brings strength and vitality and replenishes Joy in one's Heart.