Level 5: The Leap

The spiritual principle of selflessness is to give, especially love, without expecting anything in return. Selflessness is something we develop with spiritual practice. It is not typically an everyday, ordinary habit. As we move toward living more selflessly, we realize our happiness is dependent on the work we do to ensure the happiness of others. We experience first-hand the spiritual principle of interconnectivity.

We can practice selflessness in baby steps, gradually. We do this by choosing to think of others first, to put the needs of others before ours in small ways, daily. Exchanging self for others in meditation is another effective means of practicing selflessness. We can also practice selflessness by meditating on the true cause of happiness and the truth of interconnectedness.

Compassion is the desire to relieve the suffering of others. So, an act of compassion, be it in thought, speech or deed, requires an awareness that suffering is present. To fully open our hearts to compassion, we must also open our hearts to the truth that suffering is always with us.

Exchanging self and others is a Buddhist technique in which we practice cherishing ourselves less, while putting others first. Typically, we put ourselves first in everything we do. This self-centered habit, however, is the cause of our suffering. To experience true happiness, we must learn to focus on the happiness of others, putting them first.