For all their effects on the body, second darts usually have their greatest impact on psychological well-being. - Rick Hanson

In a way, empathy is a kind of mindfulness meditation focused on someone else’s inner world.

It’s a wonderful paradox that as individual things — such as the self — feel increasingly groundless and unreliable, the totality of everything feels increasingly safe and comforting. As the sense of groundlessness grows, each apparently individual thing seems a bit like a cloud that you’ll fall through if you try to stand on it. At first this is pretty unnerving. But then you realize that the sky itself — the totality — is holding you up. You are walking on the sky because you’re sky. It has always been that way. You and every one else have been sky all along.

What remains when self disperses, even temporarily? The wholehearted movement to contribute, and the wish to thrive and prosper as one human animal among six billion. To be healthy and strong and live many more years. To be caring and kind. To awaken, abiding as radiant, spacious, loving consciousness. To feel protected and supported. To be happy and comfortable, serene and fulfilled. To live and love in peace.

Nurturing your own development isn’t selfish. It’s actually a great gift to other people.