Hi all,
Neil and I have just been discussing Chris Germer's updated essay on The Near and Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion (https://centerformsc.org/the-near-enemies-of-fierce-compassion/) written on the 3rd Sept 2020. As you'll see he makes a helpful reference to the martial arts which, of course, particularly caught our eye.
Chris notes that the piece was originally written in 2018 with several other contributors but has recently been updated given the turmoil in the U.S. He draws upon ideas around Yin and Yang elements of compassion, which of course fit well with some of motivational processes we discuss as at the heart of FCMA.
While Yin compassion tends to refer to being with another, comforting and validating, Yang compassion centres on protecting others, providing for those in need and motivating one another to act in a way to reduce suffering, even if it’s difficult.
As Chris states "Sometimes yang compassion needs to be fierce, as Kristin Neff points out in her essay on the topic in the context of self-compassion. The expression “fierce compassion” includes the qualities of strength, courage and empowerment to confront social injustice and change it. Fierce compassion also often contains an element of anger. A good metaphor for fierce compassion is the behaviour of a mamma bear when her cub is threatened. The anger aspect can be confusing to people who typically associate compassion with warmth and nurturing. However, learning to harness anger is an important part of fierce compassion. When we suppress our anger, we are likely to lose our capacity to speak truth to power or to take positive action. Conversely, letting our anger run amok can cause irreparable harm to oneself and others."
To consider this more fully Chris explores some 'near and far' enemies of fierce compassion. Simply put, near enemies are considered states that appear similar to the desired quality but actually undermine it, while far enemies are the polar opposite of what we're trying to achieve.
He cites x3 Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion as:-
1. Emotional Reactivity (versus Mindfulness). This is when we're easily taken over by emotional states such as fear, anger and sadness. Simply reacting due to strong emotions can be natural but sometimes unhelpful.
2. Demonizing (versus Common Humanity). This is based on the process of 'othering' and which serves to distance us from our sense that we all suffer, wish to be happy and are connected. Demonizing takes us far from such insights and into actions that might cause rather than halt suffering.
3. Hostility (versus Kindness). Fierce compassion asks us to be courageous, resist any causes of suffering we might be aware of and create safe boundaries without developing a hostile attitude. Chris notes that "to discern whether our anger will be put to compassionate use, we can ask whether we are angry at injustice or feel hostile toward a person. Compassionate action always spares the person and focuses on the problem. A helpful metaphor is a martial artist. A martial artist has equanimity on the inside and is a warrior on the outside."
This, of course, is a central theme within FCMA and it's unsurprising to us just how often martial arts metaphors are invoked when discussing compassionate courage and action.
Near Enemies of Fierce Compassion, in contrasts, can look similar to fierce compassion but may actually undermine it. Chris cites x3 Near Enemies as:-
1. Complacency (versus Mindfulness). While balanced awareness can be important, fierce compassion asks us to remain mindful without complacency so that we can take appropriate action to reduce suffering.
2. Sameness (versus Common Humanity). While in a sense we are all 'one', an overstated position of sameness could risk overlooking differences and the experiences of others. As Chris rightly says "Fierce compassion includes the courage to have difficult conversations about our differences based on race, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation and a multitude of other identities."
3. Pity (versus Kindness). This is such an important issue in FCMA, as equality based on a compassionate understanding of common humanity and our universal need for kindness is quite different from the down-ranking/lessening that can come from pity. In FCMA while we recognises all styles and grades of those we train with, we're conscious that our need to help others as we have been helped, from a position of respect and equivalence and is tempered by kindness.
Chris poses the following questions to ask ourselves when we experience an injustice, personal or social, to determine our state at that time:
Far Enemies:-
“Am I controlled by my anger?” (emotional reactivity)
“Do I feel morally superior?” (demonizing)
“Do I want my adversary to suffer?” (hostility)
Near Enemies:-
“Am I willing to take necessary action?” (non-complacent)
“Am I curious about the experience of others?” (non-sameness)
“Am I willing to feel the pain of others as my own?” (non-pity)
He suggests that if we responded “no” to the first three questions, and “yes” to the next three questions, you we're probably in a state of fierce compassion.
In FCMA asking ourselves such questions is a regular feature of our training.
Train well and safely,
Syd and Neil