Compassionate action has to start with ourselves.
If we are willing to stand fully in our own shoes and never give up on ourselves,
then we will be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others
and never give up on them.
~~ Pema Chodron
Greetings to all my precious people!!
March is known for swift weather changes, a fullness of madness and mayhem, as the Earth readies itself for the exuberance of Spring. The season of eclipses is also upon us—and shift, change and release loom on the horizon. The March Full Moon, traditionally known as the “Worm Moon,” occurred on Friday March 14, 2025 at 2:55 a.m. EDT. It coincided with a total lunar eclipse, so the moon is also called the Blood Moon because of the reddish hue it takes on during the eclipse. Occurring in the sign of Virgo, this marks the first such event since 2016.
Lunar eclipses are considered potent Full Moons that signify endings, revelations, or significant shifts and this one especially is a reckoning force, igniting change like a fiery lightning bolt. The influence of Virgo emphasizes themes related to health, daily routines, organization, and service, and we will see and feel these influences personally as well as collectively. We are all encouraged to invite introspection, while releasing our tendencies toward perfectionism and overthinking.
The ramifications of this Blood Moon lunar eclipse will speak through our bodies. Vibrating through the intelligence of our nervous system, and sparking the Divinity etched into our hearts, this lunation invites us to remember the mysteries and miracles. We are part of the ever-changing universe. We are interconnected and interdependent.
And yet, none of this messaging can be appreciated without first moving into a space of silence, the garden of our ancestral wisdom. By trusting in our hearts, trusting in the star-stuff of the Sacred, embracing our wisdom and intuition, we will be able to listen to the silence and surrender to the process of deep knowing.
Eclipses are portals—they invite us to the dance between the known and unknown, weaving possibilities and potential while closing old cycles. Eclipses remind us to seek our purpose, a combination of divine realignment and soulful evolution. Eclipses ask us to listen as the veil between the worlds becomes thin, as the voices of intuition begin to speak and sing and guide us along the Path.
This Blood Moon lunar eclipse is a space of deep release; of patterns unravelling and unsupportive narratives falling away. It is a release of rigidity and expired guidance systems; of mental noise and narrow perspectives, critical self-judgement and the feeling of not-enoughness. It offers us a space to heal our relationship with control and separation, with safety and acceptance. Above all, this lunation invites us to release, let go, surrender, and trust in the sacred unknown.
“Eclipses always conceal, not reveal” is a phrase that aligns with the idea that eclipses prompt unexpected changes or insights by bringing hidden aspects to the surface. This lunar eclipse, with its Virgo influence, may lead us to reassess our habits, health practices, and ways we offer service to others. It is a time to let go of rigid structures and embrace a more holistic approach to life. This is no longer a time of analysis, but of profound declaration. And the only way to the other side is through, with the support and practice of compassion.
The word compassion has deep linguistic and philosophical roots, weaving through multiple cultural and spiritual traditions. The English word compassion originates from the Latin compassio, which is derived from com- (together, with) and pati (to suffer, endure). It translates literally to “to suffer with” or “to endure alongside” someone. This Latin root closely mirrors the Greek sympatheia (from which we get “sympathy”), meaning “shared suffering.”
However, the meaning of compassion has expanded beyond suffering alone. Over time, it has come to signify deep awareness of another’s pain, coupled with a desire to alleviate it—an active, engaged response rather than passive suffering.
Throughout history, different traditions have shaped our understanding of compassion in unique ways:
- Christianity (Agape, Caritas & Mercy)
- Agape (ἀγάπη) – This is the highest form of divine, unconditional love that underlies compassion. It represents boundless, selfless care that expects nothing in return.
- Caritas (Charity) – Derived from Agape, Caritas represents compassion in action, such as acts of generosity and kindness toward others.
- Misericordia (Mercy) – This form of compassion emphasizes forgiveness and grace, particularly in response to suffering and wrongdoing. The Parable of the Good Samaritan exemplifies this principle, highlighting compassion as an active force in healing and justice.
- Buddhism (Karuna & Metta)
- In Buddhist traditions, karuna (compassion) and metta (loving-kindness) are essential qualities cultivated on the path to enlightenment. Compassion here is not only about easing suffering but recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings.
- Daoism (Ci & the Three Treasures)
- In Daoist philosophy, compassion (ci, 慈) is not merely an emotion or moral duty but a fundamental energy that aligns with the Dao, the natural flow of life. Laozi, in the Dao De Jing, describes compassion as one of the Three Treasures (三寶). Compassion, in this context, is a force that preserves and enhances life rather than something tied to suffering alone. It softens rigidity, nourishes relationships, and harmonizes the body-mind-spirit connection.
In the practice of Yang Sheng (養生)—the art of cultivating vitality—compassion plays a direct role in preserving the Three Treasures of life: Jing (essence), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit).
- Jing (精) – The Essence of Longevity
- Jing is our foundational life essence, stored in the kidneys. It is depleted by stress, fear, and excessive emotions but preserved through acts of kindness, stillness, and self-compassion. Cultivating compassion reduces fear and tension, allowing Jing to be used for healing rather than survival.
- Qi (氣) – The Energy of Vitality
- Qi is the dynamic energy that flows through the body. When we practice compassion, we move Qi freely rather than blocking it with resentment or judgment. Compassionate breathwork, mindful movement (Tai Chi, Qigong), and releasing grudges enhance Qi circulation, reducing stagnation that leads to illness.
- Shen (神) – The Spirit of Radiance
- Shen is the light of consciousness, our spiritual presence. Compassion opens the heart (Xin, 心) and fosters connection, which nourishes Shen. A compassionate heart diminishes anxiety, depression, and inner turmoil, helping us embody a state of peace and clarity.
Rather than a single definition, compassion flows through multiple streams of consciousness:
- Emotional (Empathy & Feeling) – The heart’s ability to feel another’s suffering.
- Cognitive (Understanding & Perspective-Taking) – The mind’s ability to recognize suffering and its causes.
- Action-Oriented (Service & Healing) – The will’s ability to respond with care, whether through words, presence, or direct aid.
- Spiritual (Oneness & Interbeing) – The deeper realization that separation is an illusion, and compassion is the fabric that binds existence.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Compassion for Longevity & Health
- Start the day with a gentle self-inquiry: “How can I be kind to myself today?”
- Use Inner Smiling Meditation (a Daoist technique) to send warmth to your organs.
- Release self-judgment through breath and mindful movement.
Compassion in Relationships
- Approach others with softness rather than force—the Daoist way.
- Listen without needing to fix or control.
- Practice “wu wei” (effortless action) by allowing compassion to arise naturally rather than forcing it.
Aligning with Nature
- Observe how nature is effortlessly generous—the sun shines, rivers flow, trees offer shade.
- Recognize that compassion is not a depletion but an exchange of energy, much like Qi circulating in the body.
- Walk in nature with an open heart, cultivating gratitude for the interconnected web of life.
Daoism teaches that rigidity leads to death, while softness sustains life (“The softest thing in the world overcomes the hardest”). Compassion is this softness—an elixir that nourishes Jing, flows with Qi, and brightens Shen. By living with compassion, we not only heal others—we heal ourselves, extending the vitality and longevity of our own existence.
The Compassion Practice: A 5-Day Journey Toward Vitality & Longevity
Each day, focus on a different aspect of compassion—self, others, nature, movement, and spirit—with a guided reflection and practice.
Day 1: Cultivating Self-Compassion (Jing – Essence Preservation)
📝 Reflection: Write down three things you appreciate about yourself. Notice how your body feels when you acknowledge your strengths.
🌿 Practice: Inner Smile Meditation—Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and visualize a warm, golden light filling your heart. Smile inwardly and send gratitude to your organs, starting with your heart and expanding outward.
Day 2: Extending Compassion to Others (Qi – Energy Flow)
📝 Reflection: Recall a recent moment of frustration with someone. Ask: What might they be experiencing? What energy am I sending toward them?
🌿 Practice: Compassionate Breathwork—Inhale deeply, imagining you are drawing in kindness and understanding. Exhale, releasing judgment or frustration. If possible, send a kind message to someone today.
Day 3: Connecting with Nature’s Compassion (Shen – Spirit Clarity)
📝 Reflection: Observe how nature gives without expectation—the sun shining, trees offering shade. How can you embody this effortless generosity?
🌿 Practice: Silent Nature Walk—Walk outside in Wu Wei (effortless presence). Feel the Qi of the earth beneath your feet, listen to the wind, and notice the natural balance of giving and receiving.
Day 4: Compassion in Movement (Harmonizing Body & Mind)
📝 Reflection: How does your body hold tension? Where might you soften and move with greater ease?
🌿 Practice: Qigong for the Heart—Stand with feet hip-width apart. Inhale, gently open your arms as if embracing the world. Exhale, bring hands to your heart in a flowing motion. Repeat 9 times, feeling openness and connection.
Day 5: Compassion as a Way of Being
📝 Reflection: How has this practice changed your perception of compassion? Where do you feel it in your body now?
🌿 Practice: Heart-Centered Gesture—Place your hand on your heart and whisper, “I choose to nourish life with kindness.” Carry this intention into your daily interactions.
Closing Ritual: Sealing the Practice
Light a candle or simply take a few deep breaths. Express gratitude for your capacity to give and receive compassion. Recognize that, like Qi, compassion is limitless when cultivated with presence.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Without them, humanity cannot survive.
~~ The Dalai Lama
