Mel and I sometimes used to discuss the difference
between compassion and sentimentality. I wonder whether this is the nub of it:
A compassionate person gets their pets from a rescue centre
because they know that those are the animals most in need, and they’re calmly philosophical
about the ones they leave behind.
A sentimental person daren’t get their pets from a rescue
centre because they know that the sight of all those hopefuls being left behind
would tear their heart to shreds.
Just a thought.
5 comments:
Really excellent definition of the two thoughts...But, I think compassion does feel the animals plight and may even be more empathetic than a sentimental person. Compassion takes in all emotions through a sensitive filter, at least imo.
I'm told that Buddhism teaches that true compassion is the ability to connect and empathise with suffering, while remaining emotionally unstressed by it.
Buddhism is a great way of viewing compassion, I just have a hard time with detaching. Guess I'm far from enlightenment.
It's a torment if you're both!
I know. I blame it on having my moon in bloody Pisces!
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