- Paraphrasing the question above by Carl: How many times does Source need to experience suffering --for example, children being maimed in the midst of combat -- directly or by proxy to gain knowledge or for entertainment or continuing amusement?
This is the question that can only lead me to conclude that Source has no compassion. Or Source does not comprehend this still. It is not the same as enjoying actors in a drama that we know is make believe.
Would we not expect more from Source?
Otherwise, something is wrong with the original assertion. Likely, the explanation or rationale for Source allowing pain and all varieities of human hurt is more complicated and probably unknowable. The Earth as a challenging school used to be a sufficient explanation for me, but it no longer is enough.
To me, Source is Ultimate Consciousness. It is what I understand to be the highest, most expanded state of consciousness--and, as a conscious, intelligent Being, It sees all and knows all. But my understanding doesn't limit Source to just consciousness or intelligence. I see it as being physical too. It as
All That Is. It is
ALL things. Energy. Matter. Anti-matter. Universes, galaxies, stars, planets, plants, animals, and even us humans (and extra-terrestrial beings as well). As many Native American tribes do, I believe that
all things are alive (even stones, dirt, water, and air)--and filled with the life and awareness of Source (which they refer to as "The Great Spirit").
From this perspective, it seems clear to me that Source is exploring, creating, and experiencing Itself
through us (and every other being, element, or entity). This also means (at least to me) that at our highest and most expanded state,
we ARE Source.
But let me get back to compassion.
Does a mother feel compassion for a toddler when she allows her to stumble, fall, and hurt her knee as she is learning to walk?
Does a father feel compassion for his teenage son when he allows the son to date a girl when he knows the son is likely to experience the heartbreak of an immature relationship?
Does a parent feel compassion for a child when he or she warns it not to touch a hot stove--and then allows the child to do so in order to learn an important lesson?
As a parent myself, I would definitely say "yes". The parent understands that the child is learning about life and that they may sometimes experience painful, fearful, or traumatic situations. A wise parent may even allow a child to make missteps, even though they know that knees hurt, hearts break, and fingers will burn--because these are important lessons that help a child learn.
Of course parents feel compassion...that is why they're there to love and comfort the youngster when they have those painful experiences.
I see Source as being much the same way. Source knows our true nature as "Self" and that we are eternal, spiritual beings. It knows that the lives we are experiencing are temporary. I feel that Source, just as a wise parent will do, allows us to make our own choices through free will. It allows us to have our own journeys, knowing that nothing is permanent--even though we may perceive it to be from our limited, human understandings and perspectives.
Finally, if we accept the idea that Source
IS us, experiencing life
THROUGH us, then this means that Source actually
SHARES all our experiences with us. Source is therefore
with us in every single moment, feeling the same pains, joys, and frustrations we do...and loving us all the while.
And isn't that the very highest example of compassion?