John Taylor

CHOOSE TO BE FREE

The Four Principles

Wisdom and Compassion are both necessary. There cannot be one without the other. Wisdom relies upon Compassion for a true understanding and Compassion relies upon Wisdom for a true expression.

 

Wisdom without Compassion leads to arrogance and Compassion without Wisdom has no direction.

 

Most people seem to favor one over the other. Some find Wisdom comes more readily than Compassion and others will find the opposite to be true. Therefore, we focus on that one which does not come so easily.

 

If Wisdom comes easily, then focusing on Compassion is most wise. If Compassion comes easily, then focusing on Wisdom is most compassionate. This is true simply because we need both together as one.

 

A very good example of Wisdom and Compassion being together is found in the Heart Sutra. In the Heart Sutra there is Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva which is the highest emblem of Compassion within Buddhism and the Bodhisattva is speaking about Wisdom.

 

We would have a tendency to expect an expert on Compassion to speak about Compassion, but it so happens that the Bodhisattva of Compassion speaks about Wisdom.

 

It is actually quite natural that the epitome of Compassion would speak about Wisdom because that is a very compassionate thing to do.

 

Wisdom and Compassion are not something that we create. They are qualities of the Unconditioned. Engaging the Unconditioned is to engage Wisdom and Compassion. As we Cultivate Awareness of the Unconditioned, then we are also deepening in Wisdom and Compassion.

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BE WILLING TO FOREVER DEEPEN IN WISDOM AND COMPASSION