Principle 5 of 8
Compassion
Hold your wounds with kindness. Softness does not weaken the work; it allows it.
When we finally look at our wounds, the first impulse is often judgment: I should be over this by now. Compassion is the choice to meet that pain the way you would meet a frightened child — with patience and warmth.
A heart that feels safe can open, remember and release. A heart that feels attacked closes again.
Compassion also widens with time. As you understand the roots of your own reactions, it becomes easier to see that other people, too, act from their wounds.
Reflection
How would you speak to your younger self about what you went through?
These principles come from From Wound to Wisdom, where they form the foundation for deeper inner work. To see how they fit into the healing process, read about Alberto’s approach to healing emotional trauma.
A gentle note. This work is spiritual and educational in nature. It complements, and does not replace, the care of a licensed mental health professional or medical treatment. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis line right away.
The book
From Wound to Wisdom
A shamanic approach to healing emotional trauma
A grounded guide to laying a strong foundation for inner work through eight principles of self-love — so healing can take root in daily life.