Buddhism is renowned for its teachings on love and compassion. In fact, the Dalai Lama once said, “Compassion is the essence of religion.” So why is it so hard for so many of us to feel compassion toward others? In a world obsessed with status and self-improvement, it can be easy to forget the value of compassion in our daily lives. Fortunately, the Dalai Lama is a master teacher and his advice on compassion continues to inspire people all over the world. Here are five ways we can all take inspiration from His Holiness’s teachings on compassion and apply them to our own lives.

Learn the Lesson of Kindness

In the midst of a crisis, a friend who really knows you can sometimes predict your behavior better than you can. An expert could also make the same observation, but for different reasons. The Dalai Lama has often said that one of the best ways to predict your own behavior is by looking into the behavior of others.

To truly understand and appreciate the value of kindness, try it out. This can be as simple as saying hello to a complete stranger or as meaningful as taking time to listen to a friend. Put simply, kindness is one of the most powerful ways to change your life and the lives of those around you.

Practice Deep Empathy

Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes. It is the process of tuning into another person’s feelings and understanding them. While it might sound like a simple skill, it is actually incredibly difficult to do.

It is helpful to think of empathy as a muscle that needs to be developed through practice. The more you use it, the easier it will get. When you are feeling upset or stressed, try to focus on what another person might be experiencing. Then, imagine what it would feel like to be them and imagine how your actions might affect them. This could be a friend, family member or stranger.

Showing Up for Others

The Dalai Lama teaches that the key to happiness is to “show up” for others. This means actively engaging with other people instead of waiting for them to come to you.

You might be thinking, “I’ve tried this before and they always seem to end up hurting my feelings.” This is a common misconception and the reason it’s so important to practice “showing up” for others. When you actively engage with others, you are not trying to compete with, replace, or take away from their worth. You are adding to it.

Let Go of Judgment

Many of us have been taught to be critical, judgmental, and harsh with ourselves and others. While it is helpful to have boundaries, it is equally important to let go of the need to control everything and everyone around you.

For example, you might think, “I want to lose weight, but I don’t want to give up all the delicious desserts I crave. How can I do this without feeling like a hypocrite?” One way to let go of the need to be right and control is to have an “open mind” and “open heart.”

Letting Go of Anger

Anger is a natural, negative emotion that can have a significant impact on our lives. However, in order to truly be of service to others, we must be able to let it go.

One way to release anger is through forgiveness. Research shows that people who maintain a balance between giving and receiving forgiveness have less physiological response when they are angry than people who lack this skill.

There are many different ways to forgive, but one of the most effective is to imagine that you are the person that has been wronged and imagine what that person’s side of the story might be.

Gain a Lifetime of Experience

One of the best ways to change is to learn from the experiences of others. Take the lessons on compassion that the world’s greatest teachers have to offer and apply them to your life. Doing so will help you to feel inspired and ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

We only get one life and it is our responsibility to make the most of it. As expressed in this famous Dalai Lama Quote: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.“