THE COMPASSION EXERCISE

Honesty with one's self leads to compassion for others.

Expected Result:: Increase in understanding and a personal sense of peace.

Instructions: This exercise can be done anywhere that people congregate (airports, events, beaches, etc.). It should be done on strangers, unobtrusively and from some distance. Try to do all five steps on the same person.

1. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness for (his or her) life.

2. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in (his or her) life.

3. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person has known sadness, suffering, and despair."

4. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is seeking to fill (his or her) needs."

5. With your attention on the person, repeat to yourself: "Just like me, this person is learning about life."

Variations of the Just Like Me process:

1. Done by couples to increase understanding of each other.

2. Done on old enemies and antagonists still present in one's memories.

3. Done on alien life forms.

Copyright 1994 by Star's Edge, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 1996. The Light Party.