This first element of compassion is integral to all other dimensions of compassion.  With loving kindness as a motivational tool we can utilize the full spectrum of compassion.  Loving kindness is as much an attitude as well as a way of life.

A feeling of loving kindness is usually on three levels.  The first level is felt when we receive loving kindness.  A good example of this is the Gospel Story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.  We might interpret having our feet washed quite literally as a good or bad thing.  In fact some people would think of this as weird.  In biblical times people wore sandals; therefore their feet became quite dirty.  It was a servant’s duty to wash the feet of guests and family members.

To receive an act of kindness is humbling and sometimes awkward.  It certainly was for the disciples.  It helps when receiving an act of loving kindness to recognize the graciousness from which it is given.  The good feeling when receiving loving kindness is Grace.  And usually we respond with gratitude.

The second level of feeling is the giving of loving kindness.  Another name for this is service work or a "servant’s heart."  Our culture has, seemingly, put this concept on the bottom shelf.  Or has it?  Most organizations promote service and many of their members step up to the purpose.  What is it that make’s giving an act of kindness?

The third level of feeling in regards to loving kindness is humbleness.  What Jesus demonstrated to the disciples was the “self forgetting” of servant-hood and the benefits thereof.  Of course, if the benefits are our motivation then the kindness gets lost in translation.  If giving in the form of service work is offered with an attitude of gratitude then a deeper level spiritual connection takes place (i.e. humility)

The quality of kindness is often misunderstood.  In our competitive culture it is considered a weakness.  Many people claim that if you show kindness others may take advantage of you.

With kindness, compassion makes more sense.  Why would anyone want to share someone else’s suffering?  That’s what compassion means; "com" means with and "passion" means to suffer.  Why would anyone want to suffer with someone else?

Suffering with someone is not at all uncommon, thank God!  Mothers have suffered with there children from the beginning of Motherhood.  Maybe that is a draw back for men that loving kindness and compassion are considered feminine qualities.

Hopefully, that is not true.  All humans have the capacity for loving kindness; what is needed is the commitment to or the orientation towards compassion.  Did you notice that they are interchangeable?  That any of the dimensions of compassion are synonymous with compassion.

A few of the different elements of loving kindness include: a) positive regard; b) connection; c) service; d) willingness and e) awareness.  These elements are compelling ways to be compassionate.  For example; positive regard is the attitude that you are a beloved child of God and the Indwelling Spirit is in each of us.  Namaste’ means I salute the spirit within you.

Using positive regard one presents to the world a deep caring for all of creation.  Using positive regard one is received as a human being not a human doing.  Using positive regard one recognizes the actualizing potential of all God’s creatures.

Connection is a form of loving kindness whereby one feels the positive regard one human has for another.  Connection is the human need of community and society.  To engage another human in an authentic, intentional way; that is connection.

Service work has a bad reputation.  The element of service is promoted in every organization and institution.  Many people think that service means ten percent do 90 % of the work.  This is true some of the time.  Where service is most effective is when the intention is for humility and Grace.  With loving kindness, in service to others, we become more spiritual and therefore more compassionate.

Willingness is a key ingredient to kindness.  Have you ever seen unwilling kindness? It is almost an oxymoron.  Scott Peck wrote in The Road Less Traveled, "Love is the willingness to extend yourself for the purpose of nurturing your own and somebody else’s spiritual growth."

Lastly, in regards to loving kindness, awareness or the purposeful lack of compulsion is necessary to effectively share compassion.  Our ego is a compulsive creature.  We impulsively do what our mind often dictates.  Mindful awareness in and of itself reduces ego sufficiently that we effectively practice loving kindness in a way that nurtures and heals.  Loving kindness is a blessing and a privelage to share and engage in with everyone we meet.