Compassion, the wish for another to be free of their suffering, is the foundation of all spiritual paths. In Buddhism, it’s even said that compassion is the true, fundamental essence of who we are.
This clip is from a college football game held a few weeks ago. Note how the cat’s precarious, life-or-death situation evoked compassion from everyone in the stadium. Political affiliation, socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, pro-vax, anti-vax was all instantaneously wiped away and all that remained was the compassionate wish for the cat to not suffer.
It’s said that death makes everyone equal. The same can be said for our compassionate nature.