Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.
Pema ChodronAll the terrible things we do to ourselves and others from alcoholism to character assignation to abuse to murder come from one cause: the inability to stay present with an uncomfortable feeling in the body and seek short-term relief.
Pema ChodronIf you work with your mind, that will alleviate all the suffering that seems to come from the outside.
Pema ChodronLife's work is to wake up, to let the things that enter your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.
Pema ChodronWe work on ourselves in order to help others, but also we help others in order to work on ourselves.
Pema ChodronAt least once a year, I imagine that I am about to die. Looking back as truthfully as I can at my entire life, I give full attention to the things I wish hadn’t occurred. Recognizing these mistakes honestly but without self-recrimination, I try to rejoice in the innate wisdom that allows me to see so bravely, and I feel compassion for how I so frequently messed up. Then I can go forward. The future is wide open, and what I do with it is up to me.
Pema Chodron