Fierce Compassion

         We need a powerful response to what’s happening in the USA.  I feel anger, outrage, dread.  I honor those feelings, and I know that truly powerful responses – responses that heal and re-align our nation - must be based in love.  I feel the tug between my fearful outrage and my commitment to peace and love.  I search for a path forward.

         A recent post by Dr. Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion, points to a way – fierce compassion.  “Compassion is aimed at the alleviation of suffering – that of others or ourselves – and can be ferocious as well as tender.”  “We need love in our hearts so we don’t perpetuate a cycle of anger and hate, but we need fierceness so that we don’t let things continue on their current harmful path.”

         She describes fierce compassion as a balance of Yin and Yang energies.  Yin is more inward and receptive.  It offers comfort and nurture to self and others.  Yang focuses outward with a clarity and resolve that helps us take constructive action in the world. 

         Fierce compassion invites us to be contemplative activists, peaceful warriors – respectful, empathic and thoughtful, steadfast, courageous and outspoken.  Fierce compassion calls us to wholeness and wholeheartedness.