True Compassion or Idiot Compassion?

Send us Fan Mail

In Buddhism (as in most wisdom traditions), compassion is central—but it’s often misunderstood. It’s not about being nice, it’s about being awake. True compassion is wise, fierce, and rooted in awareness.

“Idiot compassion” is a term coined by Chögyam Trungpa to describe misguided kindness that stems from the three poisons:

• Grasping – trying to feel good or be liked.
  
  
• Aggression – trying to control or make something (or someone) disappear.
  
  
• Delusion – trying to avoid seeing what is really going on.

True compassion requires discernment, not people-pleasing. It might mean being sweet, but it could also mean getting angry or saying nothing. The only way to know is by paying attention.

In activism, the same principle applies: if our actions come from hate, they’ll echo hate. If they come from a broken heart longing to ease suffering, different gates will open.

There are two kinds of compassion to consider:

• Relative compassion helps others through kindness and care.
  
  
• Absolute compassion is dwelling in perfect recognition of interdependence. (To learn more about this, see previous episodes on the Heart Sutra.)

The spiritual path is just as much about courage as it is about kindness. It asks us to meet suffering not with spiritual bypassing, but with a heart shattered open and ready to serve.

SM (for Genevieve)

Not all compassion is created equal.

In Buddhism, compassion isn’t about being nice. It’s about being awake.

Sometimes it’s soft. Sometimes it’s fierce. But it’s never about avoiding discomfort.

Chögyam Trungpa called it “idiot compassion” when our desire to help is rooted in:

• Craving (to be liked)

• Aggression (to control or avoid conflict)

• Delusion (pretending everything’s fine)

Real compassion comes from clarity.

It doesn’t always look “spiritual.” Sometimes it sets boundaries. Sometimes it says no. And when rooted in heartbreak for the suffering of the world, it becomes powerful.

Let’s remember that true love can also be fierce. 🔥

#compassion #buddhism #idiotcompassion #fiercelove #spiritualpath #openheart #wakeup #chogyamtrungpa #realcompassion #awareness

If you enjoyed this episode:

Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s curious about mindfulness, spiritual commitment, or the Buddhist path.

For more on Buddhist teachings and how our humanity isn’t necessarily in our way, sign up for my free weekly newsletter or join the Open Heart Project sangha for more connection with community and with me.

If this podcast has been meaningful to you, it would be great if you would subscribe, give it a five star rating and share it with a friend. To join or learn more about The Open Heart Project please visit openheartproject.com.

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]

Produced by Citizens of Sound

Music by: Derek O'Brien

©Open Heart Project