I can definitely see that. I tend to view compassion as the more favorable approach, but perhaps it's just preference. Maybe neither is even necessary. Interesting thinking indeed.
I meant more your exposition was food for thought for me-
I tend to view them both as necessary, but I feel like that slight hint of preeminence makes pity a bit more of a 'negative' emotion. That being said, I think that's only if you dwell in it. It serves a purpose (in my mind) as a transitory emotion, which helps you from a state like anger move into one more like empathy. Sometimes you need middle steps on journeys.
I actually meditated on this thought for a while last night. I focused a lot on transforming my perceived negative emotions into their counterparts for a long while and then I started pushing for balance. I never really thought about the concept of which is more necessary until last night and while I still come to the same conclusion that I feel compassion is the goal, perhaps we could never know or learn compassion without knowing pity. Either way if we're both growing and learning from this post I'm glad I wrote it. :)
I can definitely see that. I tend to view compassion as the more favorable approach, but perhaps it's just preference. Maybe neither is even necessary. Interesting thinking indeed.
I meant more your exposition was food for thought for me-
I tend to view them both as necessary, but I feel like that slight hint of preeminence makes pity a bit more of a 'negative' emotion. That being said, I think that's only if you dwell in it. It serves a purpose (in my mind) as a transitory emotion, which helps you from a state like anger move into one more like empathy. Sometimes you need middle steps on journeys.
I actually meditated on this thought for a while last night. I focused a lot on transforming my perceived negative emotions into their counterparts for a long while and then I started pushing for balance. I never really thought about the concept of which is more necessary until last night and while I still come to the same conclusion that I feel compassion is the goal, perhaps we could never know or learn compassion without knowing pity. Either way if we're both growing and learning from this post I'm glad I wrote it. :)