Those born during the Way of Compassion must learn to mute their own ego drives so that they can become a part of what goes on around them rather than forever demanding to be at the center of things. These people are here to develop a greater commitment to, understanding of, and concern for others. Because these individuals are gifted with the ability to implement their visions, by developing a deeper compassion they have the potential to help create a better world by working toward a greater good—whether for their own families, their community, or society in general. Learning selflessness is an extremely difficult assignment for these individuals, entering the world as they do with a radiant energy that attracts attention and inspires admiration. However, in order to grow, they must learn to direct the spotlight away from themselves and onto the more important concerns, ideas, or causes of others. Instead of being a single star at the center of their own solar system, they must learn to become one of many in a whole social galaxy.

The most successful will firmly set aside their selfish aims to work tirelessly for the common welfare and good. The core lesson here is that the best interests of a group can be congruent with their own self-interest and that by advancing the cause of their coworkers, family, political group, municipality, country, or humanity as a whole, they are, in fact, advancing their own cause as well. First, however, they must have the capacity to understand what the common good actually is. Assisting such an identification process is their innate visionary ability. The trick for these energetic, on-the-go individuals is stopping long enough in their busy lives to broaden their vision enough to understand those around them. They can transform themselves by using their considerable energies selflessly in defense of an entire group.

Unavoidably, these individuals must learn about the nature of compassion. Involving both empathy and sympathy, compassion requires the ability to place oneself in someone else’s shoes: to feel as they feel, to see as they see, and to care what happens to them. For these folks, both of these skills will need some significant further development. Often they will be confronted by some important lessons involving loss or suffering that will ultimately give them the ability to relate to those less fortunate than themselves. These lessons can take many forms: suffering due to addiction; struggling with their own illness or that of a loved one; money problems, such as undergoing bankruptcy; or the death of near family members. They may also occur on a smaller, less traumatic scale, simply as part of the wounds of everyday life. But it is how they deal with their own personal misfortunes that is significant. Will they devolve into self­pity, or will they rise above it all and perceive that they are not alone; that because of their own experience they have something to offer others? Often it is personal misfortune that sinks the well of compassion into the hearts of these men and women.

The predominant area of challenge for these individuals will be the social sphere. Any activity that draws them into contact with their fellow human beings on an equal footing will help them. First, they will be forced to hone their social skills to a fine edge. Despite their tendency to remain aloof, this will force them to mix with a wide variety of people from all walks of life—whether they like it not. By discovering the ways in which people are alike rather than different, these individuals will finally be able to begin their life’s work. This will prove to be a challenge since others are often put off by them and tend to view them, at least initially, as haughty and superior. A positive side effect of this process of forced social interaction is that they will learn much more about the ways of the world, becoming much better informed and plugged into the latest trends. Frequently, the most evolved will actually become social commentators and critics, successfully overcoming their own narrow perspective of self-interest for the public good.

A hurdle for these folks is learning actually to give of themselves. They may become irritable when called upon to share, whether their time, their money, or even their personal feelings. All too often they will give generously up to a point and then pull back, particularly if they get little acknowledgment in return. In other cases, their success orientation may be successfully harnessed to a company or other group, but their need to keep the group in the spotlight will be only a thinly disguised extension of their own abnormal need to receive reflected glory, whatever the cost. Obviously, unless they take the time to build a strong set of human values or a moral code, they will be easily lured onto the byways of egoism.

People who initially view these folks as self-centered, narcissistic, or haughty may welcome the transformation in their personality toward more empathy, warmth, and sharing. Naturally, they should avoid sycophants who build them up through fake admiration; most often such dependent individuals are just looking for a source of power they can latch onto. Rather, these individuals would do well to seek out socially skilled people who can introduce them to other groups and individuals engaged in the kinds of humanitarian efforts that will help them progress. Any service activity will help this goal. It is quite possible for them to do a complete turnaround and to begin to live for others, in a healthy sense, rather than needily attracting attention.

Choosing a partner with more of a social conscience may help them; however, their true challenge may be in child rearing. Having children can prove an excellent test because they will have to acknowledge the daily needs of others and be forced to serve them but also to discover to what extent their selfishness has dissolved. Every bit of ego they are able to drop in this process should bring fulfillment and reward. Here, it is hoped, they will be compelled to learn how to sacrifice their own needs for the needs of their own children or other children for whom they are responsible. If this particular lesson is not learned, dire consequences are the inevitable result. These folks could well benefit from having unusually talented or special children who require even more attention, time, or care than is typical. Concerning loved ones, disabilities, illnesses and accidents will all test their ability to give of themselves unselfishly and compassionately.

What is best for them are life situations that challenge them to find a balance between their own personal needs and the needs of those who are near and dear to them. It may be crucial for them to discover the best balance between career and family life if they are truly to do the work of putting the interests of others before their own. Making promises and keeping them, giving unconditionally, and fulfilling obligations without feeling resentment will do a great deal to build the moral fiber and character of these individuals. However, it may not hurt if, every once in a while, they totally indulge themselves, since by doing so they will get the desire to do so out of their systems while perhaps realizing how empty pure selfishness can be. A renewed sense of commitment to others might even ensue.

The Way of Compassion might be likened to an individual looking into a mirror admiringly, only to watch their image dissolve and reassemble into a kaleidoscopic of smaller images, each representing various individuals in their life, past and present. This image of a multiplicity of forms making up a single one serves as a reminder that we are all connected and that even the most isolated individual is rarely alone. As the once narcissistic individual gazes admiringly into the glass, the love of self is transmuted into the love of humanity.