Awakening Compassion as a Path Towards Fulfillment

Most people who are spiritual are aware of the importance of feeling compassion for others. But I believe most of us are not fully aware of the need for continuous deepening of our compassion if we are to achieve the purpose for which we came into this world.

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One of the great teachers in this regard is the biblical figure Moses. He lived at a time of great misery and darkness, when the Israelites were under a forced labor decree, all male babies were killed, and endless suffering ensued. Moses, after his birth, was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and grew up in a comfortable environment and was shielded from the suffering that was occurring throughout Egypt. However, the Bible relates that Moses would go out every day and see the pain, suffering, and death happening outside. He not only saw and felt pain but also spent many hours a day meditating and focusing on what he saw so that he could internalize the pain, feel it as his own, and grow his feelings of compassion.

The kabbalists write, “He focused his eyes and heart to pain for them.” The message is clear – compassion is work. It is not in our nature to experience something outside ourselves, for example, someone born rich cannot feel the hunger of the poor man.

However, it was precisely because of this constant work of experiencing and awakening the greater feelings of compassion that Moses ultimately achieved the potential of his soul and was able to accomplish the purpose for which he came into this world.

Constant awakening and growth in this way will enable all of us to manifest the potential of our lives. It begins with pushing ourselves on a regular basis to find new ways to feel the pain of those around us, especially the people we deal with every day whose feelings we often don’t consider.

There is a beautiful story that can help you further internalize this idea. Before Moses was called on to become the leader of the Israelites, the level of his compassion was tested through his work as a shepherd. One day a young goat ran away from the rest of the flock, and Moses ran after the kid for some time until it finally reached a pool of water and began to drink. Moses cried out and said to the little goat, “I am so sorry, I did not know that you were thirsty.” He then picked up the goat, cradled it and carried it back to the rest of the flock.

Upon seeing this love and care, the Creator said, “You are merciful in tending sheep, you can now take care of people and be the leader and redeemer of the Israelites.” Only after showing real love and compassion to the animals in his flock was Moses deemed fit enough to become a leader of people.

The lesson the kabbalists are teaching us is we can achieve the purpose for which we came to this world, the potential of our soul, true and lasting fulfillment, with a constant growing of compassion towards others.

Knowing this, let us ask ourselves everyday, “How much time do I spend seeing others’ pain and internalizing it? What am I doing to grow my feelings of compassion and care for others?” As we make this work the focus of our lives, we will reveal more Light and blessings for ourselves and for others, and we will know for certain that we are on the true path towards lasting fulfillment.