Compassion practice, as understood in the teachings of Rob Burbea, is an intentional cultivation of the heart's capacity to meet suffering—both in oneself and others—with deep sensitivity, warmth, and a desire to alleviate it. It involves developing an empathetic resonance with the pain experienced, while not being overwhelmed by it, and fostering a sense of solidarity and interconnection in the face of anguish. This practice is not merely an emotional response but a disciplined training of the mind and heart to respond to suffering with care and respect, anchored in the wisdom that recognizes the inevitable presence of suffering in existence and the transformative potential of meeting it with love. Through methods such as meditation, reflection, and mindful action, compassion practice deepens our ability to hold vulnerability with kindness and fortifies our commitment to alleviate all forms of suffering.

See also: insight meditation, dependent origination, love, equanimity, metta practice