You are not a bad person if you connect more easily with the victims of the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine than you have with with other tragedies in other places where people are less like you.
Rather, this is an opportunity to improve your compassion.
1/
Rather, this is an opportunity to improve your compassion.
1/
Connecting more easily with people who are superficially or otherwise similar to you is natural, no matter who you are. This is simply the way humans work, and you needn't feel ashamed that you work this way too.
Now that you see this, what matters is what you do next.
2/
Now that you see this, what matters is what you do next.
2/
Think how the scenes unfolding in Ukraine make you feel.
Think how it would feel to be a human in the midst of such loss.
Then think of tragedies in other places that felt too alien and unfamiliar to identify with, and realize these situations are more alike than different.
3/
Think how it would feel to be a human in the midst of such loss.
Then think of tragedies in other places that felt too alien and unfamiliar to identify with, and realize these situations are more alike than different.
3/
All of the people involved in all of these different tragedies are humans who feel all the same joy and the same sadness.
They feel the same loss.
They feel the same suffering.
3.5/
They feel the same loss.
They feel the same suffering.
3.5/
If you're having trouble thinking of examples other than Ukraine, look at this list of ongoing armed conflicts in the world right now. There are plenty to choose from.
4/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_o…
4/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_o…
But it's not just armed conflict. There are so many people suffering across the globe from fear, pain, and deprivation.
This is the human condition.
Take your compassion toward the people in Ukraine and try to expand it outward to people everywhere who are suffering.
5/
This is the human condition.
Take your compassion toward the people in Ukraine and try to expand it outward to people everywhere who are suffering.
5/
This suffering is your condition, too. Perhaps you are not in immediate physical danger. Perhaps you are comparatively safe, well-fed ,and free of injury or sickness.
It doesn't matter. Your challenges are real, and your pain is real too.
6/
It doesn't matter. Your challenges are real, and your pain is real too.
6/
It's hard being a human.
It's hard for everyone.
Everyone including you.
Take a moment to be compassionate to yourself, too, no matter your circumstances.
Perhaps your suffering is less newsworthy, but it is no less real.
7/
It's hard for everyone.
Everyone including you.
Take a moment to be compassionate to yourself, too, no matter your circumstances.
Perhaps your suffering is less newsworthy, but it is no less real.
7/
This is nothing but basic Buddhist compassion training. If you found this useful or interesting, you might try Tonglen practice for a more structured approach.
I hope this thread was useful to you.
#Buddhism #Compassion
8/end
lionsroar.com/how-to-practic…
I hope this thread was useful to you.
#Buddhism #Compassion
8/end
lionsroar.com/how-to-practic…
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