The most effective way to show compassion to
another person is to listen to them. Once we
know how to listen to our own suffering with
compassion, we can listen to someone else
with the same compassion, and our listening
is like a salve for their wounds. We listen with
only one purpose, which is to give them the
chance to speak out what is in their heart and
to suffer less. We refrain from interrupting or
attempting to correct what we hear. When
we see and understand the other person's
suffering, compassion is born in our heart, and
we no longer blame them for their behavior.
We only want to help and bring relief. We can
do this by listening deeply, with compassion,
and without judgment. 56