Albert Einstein & Albert Schweitzer: Widen Your “Circle of Compassion” to Achieve Inner Peace (Plus HOW To Do It)

“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.” – Albert Schweitzer, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his philosophy of “reverence for life” and tireless humanitarian work.

Albert Einstein (winner of the 1921 Nobel prize in physics) also offered some very profound and enlightening advice about “widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Please take a moment to watch this profoundly moving video, in which Abby Martin delves into the historical context and offers a heartfelt discussion about Albert Einstein's renowned ‘Circle of Compassion' quote. (The transcript is provided below the video, and below the transcript are some tips for widening your circle of compassion.)

NOTE: Below the transcript are some suggestions for widening your circle of compassion.

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TRANSCRIPT (Abby Martin):

I've traveled to almost every continent throughout my short life. I've seen indescribable suffering and breathtaking beauty across this precious planet. Even while acknowledging the good, it's hard to come to terms with so much bad. I think the eternal struggle for many is how to actively engage with the plight of humanity while at the same time maintaining stability in our own lives.

With this thought in mind, I think of the words of the great philosopher and scientist Albert Einstein. Throughout his life, Einstein received letters from people asking him for advice and solutions to their problems. And, one day, a rabbi wrote him asking how he could explain and come to terms with the untimely death of his 16-year-old daughter. Einstein responded by this:

“A human being is a part of a whole, called by us the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of a prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison, and we do this by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.”

See guys, what Einstein proposes is that it's our ego that inhibits the expansion and unity of humanity's collective consciousness. Our thoughts, dogmas, and preconceived notions about the world, whether rooted in religion, politics, or just selfishness, hinder us from looking at life as it truly is and each other as we truly are. The struggles we incur in our everyday lives can distract us forever from reality: the world in which we live, the human family we all share, and the Earth we all inhabit. This preoccupation deprives us of experiencing the interconnectedness of nature and understanding how we fit into the cycle of life.

I myself struggle with this notion on a daily basis, but I also understand that this job and the issues I try to bring attention to are so much bigger than myself. Too often, we get mired down in superficialism, materialism, nationalism; we forget that borders are invisible, labels are inventions, and prejudice is learned. The fight can be won by extending empathy globally, and that means being the change we want to see because at the end of the day, that's all we can ever do. And so, we have to trust that is changing the world.

How to widen your circle of compassion

Widening your circle of compassion involves consciously broadening your empathy and concern beyond yourselves and those immediately close to you. Here are some ways to achieve this:

1. Practice empathy: Put yourself in others' shoes and try to understand their perspectives, feelings, and experiences.

2. Learn about different cultures and perspectives: Educate yourself about diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences to develop a deeper understanding and empathy for others.

3. Volunteer: Get involved in community service or volunteer work to help those in need and contribute positively to society.

4. Support causes: Advocate for and support organizations and initiatives that promote equality and social justice.

5. Listen actively: Listen attentively to others without judgment or interruption, allowing them to express themselves fully and feel heard.

6. Challenge biases: Reflect on and challenge your own biases and prejudices, striving to treat all individuals with fairness and respect.

7. Practice kindness: Perform acts of kindness and compassion in your daily life, whether it's helping a neighbor, comforting a friend, or showing empathy to a stranger.

8. Extend compassion to animals and nature: Recognize and respect the interconnectedness of all living beings and the environment, and strive to protect and care for them.

9. Cultivate gratitude: Appreciate the blessings in your life and recognize the privilege you may have, which can inspire a sense of responsibility to help others who are less fortunate.

10. Lead by example: Be a positive role model by demonstrating kindness, compassion, and inclusivity in your words and actions, inspiring others to do the same.

This article was originally created and published by ConsciousLifeNews.com and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Ross Pittman and ConsciousLifeNews.com.  It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution and this copyright statement.