To harm living beings
who, like us, seek contentment,
is to bring harm to ourselves.

Dhammapada 131

We all have some familiarity with the open-hearted state, that is warm and caring. We probably also have some familiarity with the opposite, the heart that has contracted and grown cold. Obviously, the company of those who show respect for others, who appreciate their concerns and needs, is more agreeable than the company of those who are self-obsessed. So why are we not all focussed on cultivating that which brings mutual benefit? Partly at least it is because of a lack of inner awareness. Those who harm others are not aware that they are obstructing their own well-being. They are lost in ideas of right and wrong and have forgotten to listen to their hearts’ intelligence. All beings suffer and want to be free from suffering.