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Discussion » Questions » Human Behavior » Would you ever consider trying this exercise in compassion?
SavvyAnsley

Would you ever consider trying this exercise in compassion?

Think of something or someone that brings you great joy for 60 seconds. Once you've harnessed that feeling, turn your thoughts to someone that you detest or that brings you great displeasure.  

I'm working on feeling more compassionate towards people who are intolerant of others. It is quite a challenge. 

Posted - March 10, 2023
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Responses


  • 44602
    Quite a challenge. I have no joy, nor do I detest anyone. Must be a woman thingy.
      March 10, 2023 7:29 PM MST
    5

  • 10052
    Thankfully, you are incorrect about it (joy) being a womany thing. 


      March 10, 2023 7:40 PM MST
    5

  • 44602
    How not.
      March 10, 2023 7:41 PM MST
    3

  • 10052
    I know joyful men. 
      March 10, 2023 7:46 PM MST
    3

  • 1498
    That's okay, just give them time!
      March 11, 2023 5:57 PM MST
    2

  • 10052
    Haha. Surely you're one of them? 
      March 12, 2023 8:18 AM MDT
    2

  • 1498
    Depends mostly on animals and sport results 
      March 12, 2023 4:12 PM MDT
    2

  • 844
    I also can't think of anyone that I detest. I avoid people that have behaviors or attitudes that I dislike. That way I avoid getting to the "detest" level.
      March 10, 2023 7:39 PM MST
    4

  • 10052
    Racism, intolerance and injustice all bring me displeasure. Trying to have compassion for those who practice these is a challenge. 
      March 10, 2023 7:44 PM MST
    4

  • 844
    Yes, that's why I avoid them if there's a hint of those traits.
      March 10, 2023 8:02 PM MST
    4

  • 10052
    It's tough for me to turn a blind eye to such things. My work requires exposure to injustice and intolerance. Trying to mitigate it in some way brings satisfaction and purpose. 
      March 10, 2023 8:10 PM MST
    4

  • 844
    That is admirable. I'm sure that I wouldn't be successful at a job like that. My "career" was in customer support where it wasn't necessary to know much about the customer to get the job done. That also included coworkers. I rarely got up close and personal with them.
      March 11, 2023 7:04 AM MST
    4

  • 16763
    I can't show compassion to adults who abuse children.
      March 11, 2023 4:54 AM MST
    7

  • 10052
    Yeah, that's a tough one for me. I can usually muster a bit when I think of them as the child being abused. 
      March 11, 2023 6:01 AM MST
    5

  • 3700
    Or helpless animals or the elderly or infirm.
      March 11, 2023 9:58 AM MST
    4

  • 10993
    I have often been told that I am too tolerant and make excuses for bad behaviors in others. I have compassion for those whose experiences, upbringing, ignorance, or mental condition is a factor in doing things that I find unacceptable. However, as I read through previous posts, I realized that cruelty in any form, especially to the helpless like children and animals is beyond my ability to feel compassion nor do I think I  should.
      March 11, 2023 5:38 AM MST
    5

  • 10052
    I think it must be terrible to be so filled with rage or hatred or anger, whatever it is to provoke such heinous acts. In theory, I can feel compassion towards such people, but in the moment, I respond with my own anger. 

      March 11, 2023 6:13 AM MST
    5

  • 23572

    All enlightening posts here for your enlightening question. Poignant, too. Things about which to think.

    (Well, not my answer at the moment, ha -- everyone else's)
      March 13, 2023 12:51 AM MDT
    1