is easy to overlook.
To me, there is only one way to actually experience and express it and it is not about externalization at first.
If you cannot have total and unequivocal compassion for yourself without reservation, then don't waste too much time and effort trying to have it for others. To start outside yourself from a base that is dealing with false notions about narcissism and arrogance where self-love is a fault makes true bodhichitta into a difficult intellectual conundrum where the effort applied is proved to be futile in the sense that contrasts and conflicts obviously obscure the natural nature of compassion itself as it flows throw you effortlessly.
Practice the most sincere and heart-felt loving kindness on yourself, (and be prepared for the potential inner conflicts and other aspects of self you invoke) and, if you are truly successful, true compassion will do itself with nothing more than an acknowledgement and agreement within you to let it act as it does without any reservations or conceptual barriers to hold it back.
Compassion is more powerful and natural than we imagine. It is not something we really have to do. It is not an obligation or effort, in that sense. It is simply an expression of what we are capable of allowing ourselves to give to ourselves first. Then, the recognition of the interdependence of who we are with others is merely a carefree expansion of our boundaries where our own, natural tendency towards being selfish and acting in our own best interests is allowed to expand into its own nature, including others more and more. It can be a joy that is self-fulfilling in this sense and not a chore, task or trial in any sense from there on in.
= new reply since forum marked as read