Within. . .
Compassion is the heartbeat of Buddhism. But often, we misunderstand it. We think it means being kind to others, helping those in need, showing patience with strangers. And it does. But true compassion starts much closer to home—with ourselves.
We are often our own harshest critics. We relive our mistakes. We judge our thoughts. We expect ourselves to be unshakable. But this constant self-pressure distances us from the heart of Buddhism, which is awareness, acceptance, and unconditional kindness.
Practicing compassion toward yourself means acknowledging your struggles without shame. It means understanding your patterns without punishment. It means sitting with your pain, not avoiding it or numbing it, but holding it as you would a child: gently, with love.
This inner compassion is not self-indulgent—it is essential. Only when we soften toward ourselves can we soften toward others. Only when we stop waging war on our own hearts can we bring peace to our relationships, our work, and the world.
Today, pause and offer yourself what you would offer a dear friend: grace, kindness, and space to grow.
Because when compassion begins within, it radiates far beyond us.
Peace and Love, Jim
#innerkindness #thedailybuddha #tdb
The Daily Buddha – Support The Server
