Page 183 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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response, Saint Jnaneshwar silently bared his back. The same stripes on the water buffalo’s back had transferred to him by means of his intense feeling for the suffering animal. It is a most profound virtue to spontaneously feel the sufferings of others irrespective of their cast, creed, or national origin— human as well as nonhuman. Sage Jnaneshwar’s empathy for the buffalo symbolizes this great Divine quality.
As we see in these exemplars of compassion as well as in the myriad of others who continue to bless our lives, the development of true compassion depends upon the revelation of the inner majesty of the Divine Self. Compassion or mercy is the fragrance emanating from the ower of Divine Love; it is not dependent upon any circumstantial development. Therefore, the compassion of a Sage is his very nature. Like moonlight radiating from the moon, a Sage radiates compassion in his surroundings and creates an atmosphere of harmony and peace. Although he may not be doing anything tangible or visible to most people, he is setting up a dynamic movement in the world just by his Divine and elevated feeling.
In the spiritual realm, there is a treasure that exists within your heart. That is the treasure of Divine virtues—and it includes the great gem of compassion or mercy. If you allow that treasure to