' True compassion '...

Compassion free from concepts is an expression of self-existing wakefulness.

What is the experience of true compassion?

While recognizing mind essence [pure awareness], there's some sense of being wide awake and free. At the same time there's some tenderness that arises without any cause or condition.

There is a deep-felt sense of being tender and somewhat delighted at the same time. There's a mixture, that is the true compassion.

It's slightly joyful and slightly sad.

There's no sadness for oneself, nothing selfish about it. Nor is there sadness for anyone in particular either.

Its like being saturated with juice, just like an apple full of juice. In this way the empty openness is saturated with the juice of compassion.


- Tsoknyi Rinpoche in "Carefree Dignity", Dzogchen teachings