Imagine a little boy seeing the world as special

an internal picture of perfection revolving around the image of his own self - a pulsating star, at centerstage. Then, he sees that he does not match what his self-image symbolizes, the alpha-male personality of both his father and grandfather. They are aggressively domineering, hugely successful at making money, and seem to have sexually satisfied both his mother and grandmother. But the boy realizes that he is his mother, with an identical facial appearance, gait and sensitivity. And this divergence from a male ideal of invulnerability is felt by him as shame.

Beginning with that real-life story, A Compromised Compassion describes the deeply hidden shame revealed. A brief narrative of that life is followed by a collection of original quotes, poems and short essays. This is a tale of social fear and anxiety, and the internal walls of self-protection that became self-isolation.

Habitual patterns of thought and behavior, along with rigid images of self and others were the bricks of the wall. Judgments were made and expectations established, involving failure versus success, and shame versus fame. Feelings of empathy, remorse and compassion were cut off. The internal obstacles were self-constructed.

Those obstacles are common to most of us, and involve the emotional memories we become so attached to, the distorted ideal visions of our own self and others, and our dependence upon external forces to secure our trust. One way out involves a movement of trust within, leading to individual integrity, while at the same time remaining empathetic and compassionate.

Once this is accomplished, then the walls come tumbling down, allowing our mind the freedom to wander where it will, and allowing our compassion the freedom to touch all of humanity. These words might help you find that freedom.