There are three different kinds of compassion, first being simply feeling naturally when you see others struggle, you wish them peace. Second, you come to terms to your suffering such as your morality, accepting the undeniable fact of aging and dying, you will realize you all are in the same boat. And as such, you will feel compassionate towards others struggling with the same issue. Third, is when you become aware that the idea of "I" is merely a mental definition and there really isn't anything there. At this point, you will realize that others aren't any different than you and therefore their struggles aren't different from yours. The practice of the first kind is the courage of a king/queen, your wish to help others serves a purpose to your own liberation of suffering. The practice of the second kind is the courage of a boatman. You and your "passengers" are to arrive at the shore at the same time, to liberate together. The practice of the third kind is the courage of a shepherd. There is no comparison, not even the notion of equality, your intention is to guide non-judgmentally all beings to liberation without any concerns for your own.
