--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At first, as we undertake the cultivation…" description: "\"“At first, as we undertake the cultivation of compassion, we may feel genuine empathy with others in pain or difficulty. This happens when we take the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82c/joseph-goldstein-24089_compassion_at-first-as-we-undertake-the-cultivation_655710.jpg" --- # At first, as we undertake the cultivation of compassion… ![“At first, as we undertake the cultivation of compassion, we may feel genuine empathy with others in pain or difficulty. This happens when we take the time to stop and feel what is really going on—even for just a few moments before rushing on with our lives.” quote by Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82c/joseph-goldstein-24089_compassion_at-first-as-we-undertake-the-cultivation_655710.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82c/joseph-goldstein-24089_compassion_at-first-as-we-undertake-the-cultivation_655710.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82c/joseph-goldstein-24089_compassion_at-first-as-we-undertake-the-cultivation_655710.jpg) > ““At first, as we undertake the cultivation of compassion, we may feel genuine empathy with others in pain or difficulty. This happens when we take the time to stop and feel what is really going on—even for just a few moments before rushing on with our lives.”” [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cultivating compassion involves pausing to truly sense others’ suffering before acting **In simple terms:** Take time to feel others’ pain before rushing Key Takeaway Practice mindful listening and empathy Themes compassion mindfulness empathy Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - therapy - volunteering Key Concepts presence non‑judgment emotional awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance empathy with self‑care? - When is it appropriate to intervene? A Different Perspective Compassion can be overwhelming without boundaries ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) ## Related quotes > [The discoveries of how we can grow and the insights we need to have really come from the inside out. 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If you feel this, you have a motive for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-root-of-the-matter-the-thing-i-mean-is-love-christian-love-or/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Even in the midst of compassion we feel within I know not what tart sweet titillation of malicious pleasure in seeing others suffer; children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/even-in-the-midst-of-compassion-we-feel-within-i-know-not-what-tart/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“A friend once told me that she understood pity as 'I'm sorry for you', whereas compassion is 'I feel your pain because I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-moroney/a-friend-once-told-me-that-she-understood-pity-as-i-m-sorry-for-you/) Shannon Moroney > [The compassion we feel normally is biased and mixed with attachment. Genuine compassion flows towards all living beings, particularly your enemies. If I try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-compassion-we-feel-normally-is-biased-and-mixed-with-attachment/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“God has a way of picking a “nobody” and turning their world upside down, in order to create a “somebody” that will remove the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/god-has-a-way-of-picking-a-nobody-and-turning-their-world-upside-down/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) ## More by Joseph Goldstein > [“Memory is a class of thoughts which takes as its object something already experienced.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/memory-is-a-class-of-thoughts-which-takes-as-its-object-something/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Unless a practice cools the fires of greed, aversion, and ignorance it is worthless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/unless-a-practice-cools-the-fires-of-greed-aversion-and-ignorance-it/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“We establish some stability and focus in our mind and see which elements in it lead to greater peace, which to greater suffering. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/we-establish-some-stability-and-focus-in-our-mind-and-see-which/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Guilt is a manifestation of condemnation or aversion towards oneself, which does not understand the changing transformative quality of mind. 'Seeking the Heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/guilt-is-a-manifestation-of-condemnation-or-aversion-towards-oneself/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Is enlightenment gradual or is it sudden? Whole schools of Buddhism have grown up around this issue. But it has always seemed to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/is-enlightenment-gradual-or-is-it-sudden-whole-schools-of-buddhism/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Every time we become aware of a thought, as opposed to being lost in a thought, we experience that opening of the mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/every-time-we-become-aware-of-a-thought-as-opposed-to-being-lost-in-a/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“together and disappear when the conditions change. None of them”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/together-and-disappear-when-the-conditions-change-none-of-them/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“We often mistakenly assume that because someone has genuine understanding in one particular area, this mastery necessarily extends to all other areas of life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/we-often-mistakenly-assume-that-because-someone-has-genuine/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“I have no parents I make the heavens and earth my parents I have no home I make awareness my home I have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/i-have-no-parents-i-make-the-heavens-and-earth-my-parents-i-have-no/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“We all know people who become strongly identified with, and attached to, their intelligence. It can become a big ego trap, harmful to oneself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/we-all-know-people-who-become-strongly-identified-with-and-attached/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“In India, I was living in a little hut, about six feet by seven feet. It had a canvas flap instead of a door.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/in-india-i-was-living-in-a-little-hut-about-six-feet-by-seven-feet-it/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“The commitment to morality, or non-harming, is a source of tremendous strength, because it helps free the mind from the remorse of having done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/the-commitment-to-morality-or-non-harming-is-a-source-of-tremendous/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Having been through both of those other stages, our mind matures to a place where it is no longer moved: it does not grasp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/having-been-through-both-of-those-other-stages-our-mind-matures-to-a/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“In the second training, we develop energy, concentration, and mindfulness. These are the meditative and life tools that enable us to awaken. Without them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/in-the-second-training-we-develop-energy-concentration-and/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) > [“Generosity, love, compassion, or devotion do not depend on a high IQ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-goldstein/generosity-love-compassion-or-devotion-do-not-depend-on-a-high-iq/) [Joseph Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) [Explore all 25 Joseph Goldstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-goldstein/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At first, as we undertake the cultivation of compassion, we may feel genuine empathy with others in pain or difficulty. 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