The Way of Compassion

When one wishes to understand the true nature of the Compassionate Path, there is but one authority on the subject who can speak of its ways. Knowing this, I myself did inquire, and was blessed by the presence of the deity Luqin, who so humbled this woman in her questioning. His manner towards myself was one of kindness and care, and I was very pleased, and truly inspired, by the words he so gave.

Luqin did explain to me that compassion itself is a very simple concept, though it has many layers. To have compassion, is to love, to have compassion, is to have faith. Faith in your fellow Theran kind. Love of your friends, foes, and even a love for strangers on the streets. Compassion in its simplest form is to have faith in love, knowing above all else, that this love is an eternal emotion with no end. From love, flows like a river of life, that leads to the many other layers of compassion. This love, this compassion, I did ask, should hold for all? Even those who seek my blood, even those who wish to remove my head? I knew the answer before it was even given, but I have argued this point before with others, and thought perhaps my naive nature was too innocent in this subject. But, I was right, and Luqin did smile and confirm. The truest form of compassion is the love of all Theran kind, regardless of the situation. This is where, Luqin did tell me, that mortal man does lose his faith, and where his brothers in life are required to share their strength and support, else they may fall from the love of compassion, and into darkness. In darkness, he did explain, it is much more difficult for the light of compassion to shine through. Not impossible, no, but much more difficult. It takes a strong heart, a strong will, and a deep sense of love to return from the brink of shadows.

A point Luqin did next make, one that I found great interest in, and one that in truth I was slightly shocked to realize. Compassion is something found in every being. It comes from the soul, something that can not be ignored, something that all we Therans do have, in one sense or another. To me, Luqin did say, even the darknest of hearts from the cruelest drow have a soul, and in this soul, though perhaps buried deep and long forgotten to the drow, compassion can always be found. I of course found this somewhat hard to believe, though I would never disagree with an authority on the subject such as Luqin. He understood my doubt, and explained to me that there are many who would fail to believe such words, but he himself has seen the Pillar of Light, and so has been witness to every spirit in this land. This light, he did explain, the light of compassion, whether known or not, is truly within every being, it is only a matter of exposing it, and giving it the support and care needed to flourish. It is of course a difficult task, exposing this love, but one Luqin has great faith in, knowing his true followers are up to the task.