There is a world of difference between understanding and judgment. Understanding doesn’t mean admiring. It means understanding. With understanding comes a certain realization that the so-called other person before you is doing the best he can. Whether doctor, merchant, beggarman, thief, the person before you is doing the best he can at this moment. He really doesn’t know better, even if you think he should. Here’s the thing: There is a portion of your psyche that visits where that person is, and, so, you dislike where that person is. You dislike another’s affront more than you would if you did not contain within you, no matter how residual, what the other person reflects to you.
If you were the person you are disdaining – you do understand that you are disdaining, don’t you? – I would talk to you differently. I would not tell you to have compassion…
View original post 511 more words
dreamweaver333 