January 12 – Compassion as the Key to Abandoning the Unwholesome

Dear Friends,

As we explore the second wise effort of abandoning unwholesome states, there is an essential element that can transform how we approach this effort: compassion.

Compassion invites us to meet unwholesome states not with aversion, but with kindness and understanding. When we notice the mind caught in negativity, frustration, or distraction, we can ask questions like “What is this state trying to tell me?” or “Can I meet this difficulty with care, as I would for a dear friend?”

Compassion supports the strategies for abandoning the unwholesome by softening our approach. It reminds us that working with the mind is an act of care, not criticism. Whether we are countering ill-will with loving-kindness, redirecting attention, or investigating deeply, we can do so with a heart that holds ourselves gently.

If you are interested, Andrea Fella has a talk that explores the connection between compassion and the this effort of abandoning the unwholesome mental states rooted in greed, aversion, and delusion. She emphasizes that this abandonment arises not from repression but from a compassionate understanding of their harm. Compassion, as an open-hearted response to suffering, naturally supports this process by fostering curiosity and mindfulness, which enable insight into the nature of unhelpful states and their release. This integration of compassion and effort allows for the diminishing of suffering and the cultivation of wholesome qualities, supporting liberation and well-being.
Talk: Second Right Effort and Compassion, Andrea Fella (56:29)
https://www.audiodharma.org/talks/9594?code=YLNL

I invite you to bring this perspective into your practice: as you work with unwholesome states, explore how compassion can support the process. What shifts when you approach these moments with kindness rather than striving?

Let me know what you discover!

With good wishes,
Andrea