The Principle of Why Meditative Concentration Is Easily Influenced

When you stare at a person, the more focused your attention is, the more easily you are influenced and affected, and the more easily the permeating takes place. What is the principle behind this? When you stare at the other person with concentration, your meditative concentration (samādhi) is strengthened, and every movement of the other person can enter your mind, falling in step with their words, deeds, gestures, and facial expressions—your mind is thus permeated. If the other person is about to nod, you will unknowingly nod along; if they shake their head, you will unknowingly shake your head too. You may even answer on their behalf, or do for them what they are about to do, thinking what they think and being anxious about what they are anxious about, carried along by the other person's train of thought.

A mind of compassion means considering issues from the other person's standpoint, merging yourself into their state of mind, joining your mind together with theirs. If you do not stare at the other person, your mind becomes scattered and distracted, you will not understand the mental activities of the other person very well, you will be unable to merge with them, and their words and actions will have no influence upon you.