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Ask HN: How do I practice being compassionate?

7 points by echan00 ↗ HN
I just saw the movie 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' and really want to be more like Mr. Rogers. Personable, warm, and compassionate. I'm 36 now and some traits are no longer easy to change, what can I do to change and head that direction?

7 comments

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mrmrcoleman
Non-Violent Communication is quite useful.
AnimalMuppet
Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian minister. His ministry field was literally his TV program. It was flowing out of his Christianity.

I'm not sure to what degree you can be like him without that foundation.

aprdm
Read this book: The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living

Buddhism is almost by definition compassion.

echan00
Thanks will check it out
DasCorCor
Pema Chodron’s books are a great source of wisdom about compassion. I would suggest practice having compassion for yourself first. Compassion for others will flow directly from that.
echan00
Thanks will check it out
zeequreshi
I think that an important precursor to being compassionate is the ability to sense what others might be going through and wanting to help. The fact that you were moved by the film (which I haven't watched btw) and want to be more like Mr. Rogers is an indication that the precursor exists.

Other than that, we often strive for bigger changes that we can make. Instead, we must start with our immediate circle and always keep an open eye for what we can do to help this very minute in our family, neighbourhood, work or friend circle.

Anything counts - from fixing someones computer or helping them with taxes to just catching up with someone for coffee and hearing them out about the difficult ordeal they are going through.