Compassion: 1. To let go of the one you truly love

There are many stories of compassion.  I would like to share one from a friend of mine.  This person got an injury from another worker after reporting on him for playing hooky from work despite being paid.  A friend referred him to a Buddhist temple when he went into a depression.  His personal life improved and he became very compassionate towards others.  He told me how he was dating a woman and there was a point where she would often come home late.  He knew she was out socializing and even suspected her cheating on him.  Instead of getting upset, he sought within himself to show compassion.  He meditated with a renonshya at his temple.  The renonshya told him that he and his girlfriend both loved each other, but they had two different levels of love.  His love for her was at a higher level and her love for him was at a lower level.  With his hands he showed me how their love was missing each other.  He had to look at the bigger picture.  If he truly loved her, he had to let her go so that she could find someone that could fulfill her love.  Eventually, she moved out of their home.  They would meet and have meals.  Then when that ended, they would keep in touch by telephone.  Then one day, the phone calls stopped.  The ultimate compassion is to let go of the one you truly love.