Compassion is our ability to be sympathetic, understanding and merciful. To do so we must have empathy, the ability to hear and understand another’s plight because it is ours too. When we do this without any selfish or self-centered motivation we are in altruistic service and devotion.
Who are we to be compassionate with? Only those we love? Only those we agree with? Only those we are in close proximity to? No is the answer. We all know it is for all sentient beings, for we are all one.