When we take the time to deeply explore our attributes, we are assured to come away from the experience a more truly fulfilled and compassionate person.
Last week I shared with you the inner workings of our personality...kabbalisticly speaking.
This week, the third week in this journey, we move on to the third attribute of human impulse; compassion.
What is compassion? The Hebrew word for this attribute is “Tiferet”, also means "beautiful". This attribute, which is one of the basic human characteristics, blends and harmonizes the free outpouring of love (Chesed) with discipline (Gevurah) and thus introduces truth, the integration of love and discipline.
Truth is accessed through selflessness. That is, when we rise above our ego and our predispositions, we can realize truth. Truth gives us a clear and objective picture of our needs. Thus, Tiferet means beauty because the harmony of love and discipline is beautiful.
As was mentioned last week, our emotions are multidimensional; each of our distinct emotions (Love, discipline, beauty, etc.) includes a blend of all seven attributes. Thus, when we examine the quality of our emotions, we probe deeper:
1. Loving-kindness of Compassion: Is my compassion tender and loving or does it come across as pity? Does my compassion overflow with love and warmth and is it expressed with enthusiasm, or is it static and lifeless?
2. Discipline of Compassion: True compassion requires discipline and focus to recognize when compassion should be expressed or withheld. After all, true compassion is not about the bestower's needs, but for the recipient's needs.
3. Compassion of Compassion: Compassion for another is achieved by having a selfless attitude in order to place ourself in the other person's situation. Is my compassion that which comes out of guilt rather than genuine empathy?
4. Endurance of Compassion: Is my compassion consistent and does it prevail among other forces in my life? For example, do I have the capacity to be compassionate even when I'm busy or or only when it's comfortable for me? Am I ready to stand up for another?
5. Humility of Compassion: Compassion without humility can be condescending. Humility recognizes that my ability to be compassionate does not make me better than the recipient. Do I look down at those who need my compassion? Finally, am I humble and thankful to G-d for giving me the means to have compassion for others?
6. Bonding of Compassion: For compassion to be fully realized, it requires creating a channel between the giver and receiver, that is, a mutuality that extends beyond the moment of need. Do I bond, beyond a single act of empathy, or do I remain apart?
7. Nobility of Compassion: Here we examine the dignity of our compassion. For compassion to be complete, it must boost self-esteem and cultivate human dignity. Is my compassion expressed in a dignified manner, and does my compassion elicit dignity in others?
When we take the time to deeply explore our attributes, we are assured to come away from the experience a more truly fulfilled and compassionate person.
Adopted from “A Spiritual Guide to the Counting of the Omer -- Forty-Nine Steps to Personal Refinement” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson.
If you would like to learn more about the Kabbalah science of our personality, we are beginning a new class on this subject. For more information please email me at [email protected].