Einstein On Compassion!!!

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Einstein On Compassion!!!

by Bushka ^Pro @ 2009-07-01 – 10:04:24

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"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
**
--Albert Einstein.
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- pause for thought

16 Comments to Einstein On Compassion!!!

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- brokendownangel ^Pro
- 2009-07-01 @ 10:27:54
So is he saying we shouldn't be restricted in our personal desires either? I like the sound of that
- - Bushka ^Pro
  - Bushka
  - 2009-07-01 @ 10:59:04
  Note, he is addressing the subject of compassion....the wider issue of seeing oneself as part of a 'Greater Whole'. x
  - - brokendownangel ^Pro
    - 2009-07-01 @ 11:00:29
    yeah I know, but you never know what was really in his head do you? lol
    - - Bushka ^Pro
      - Bushka
      - 2009-07-01 @ 11:19:38
      Can anyone ever know what is really 'in the head' of another? x
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- paulinemom
- 2009-07-01 @ 10:33:11
Einstein's thoughts were always good.
- - Bushka ^Pro
  - Bushka
  - 2009-07-01 @ 13:34:38
  Quite profound!
  - - paulinemom
    - 2009-07-01 @ 13:53:16
    A couple of my favourites...
    
    I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
    
    I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.
    
    Finally....
    
    Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
    - - Bushka ^Pro
      - Bushka
      - 2009-07-01 @ 14:48:51
      Good Ones!
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- banana ^Pro
- http://poetry4fun.blog.co.uk
- 2009-07-01 @ 11:05:41
and when you do - the whole of nature in its beauty will rip you to pieces and eat you. Because nature has no conscience just an imperative to survive

Compassion is nice - when you can afford it. It is part of the 'prison' - it may in fact BE the prison.
- - Bushka ^Pro
  - Bushka
  - 2009-07-01 @ 13:33:39
  That msy well be a particular way of looking at what he's saying -- not sure he would have taken such a view on board!
  - - banana ^Pro
    - http://poetry4fun.blog.co.uk
    - 2009-07-01 @ 15:00:37
    But he would have had to compassionately embrace my view on the matter as it would be his self-avowed task to do so as I must be part of the 'whole of nature and its beauty'.
    
    While I could just disagree with him as I would be free to do so having not boxed myself up into a 'prison' with my own words
    - - Bushka ^Pro
      - Bushka
      - 2009-07-01 @ 16:32:16
      Which implies you want the best of both worlds without any obligation at all....the implications of your position can be quite devastating....to yourself...::
      - banana ^Pro
        
        http://poetry4fun.blog.co.uk
        
        2009-07-01 @ 17:00:32
        
        Or maybe it just means I like to argue.
        
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        Bushka ^Pro
        
        Bushka
        
        2009-07-01 @ 17:38:31
        
        That's just fine....a readiness to acknowledge that one 'might, just conceivably' have got something incorrect, could actually strengthen one's position...rather than weaken it......x
        
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- jollyweez
- 2009-07-01 @ 17:55:56
I am familiar with this quote from our respected Einstein. Another person sent to teach us and deliver wisdom. How many 'messengers' do we need before we finally 'get it?' The sickness of America is spreading across the countries of Britain and Europe.
Yes, we must go back into ourselves through Nature to meditate, talk to the Great Spirit, find our talents and find our way and help others.
75% of the women on this street take anti-depressants and one is in a state of catatonia.
I wonder if Einstein would have approved of technology/computers. Probably - but there is great evil in the form that some of these computers, iPods, Facebooks and such can become.
Would Einstein have understood this 'modern' world of ours? Are his words still moot? Is it that easy anymore to do as he advises?
How about those who live in the tenements of a great city? In the slums of Mumbai? Are not these human beings too? Easy to say - not so easy to obey his words. JW
- - Bushka ^Pro
  - Bushka
  - 2009-07-01 @ 18:09:51
  Thanks for that! Very insightful! I think he would still hold to what he aid here......It IS possible to rise above the level of 'Life' which seems to induce all these maladies...many of which have their genesis in ill-founded priorities......
  There is often greater inner peace and contentment among the 'poor' in our world.......Muh food for thought here! x
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