The Principle That Focus Is Easily Infected

When you stare at a person, the more focused your attention is, the more easily you are influenced and affected by them, and the more easily the permeating influence takes hold. What is the principle behind this? When you stare at the other person with concentration, your power of meditative concentration (samādhi) strengthens, and every movement the other person makes can enter your mind, falling into rhythm with their words, actions, demeanor, and facial expressions—thus your mind becomes permeated by them. 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 concerns them, carried along by the other person's train of thought.

A compassionate mind means considering problems from the other person's standpoint, merging yourself into their state of mind, joining your mind together with theirs. If you do not keep your eyes on the other person, your mind becomes scattered and distracted, and you will not understand the other person's mental activities very well; you will be unable to merge with them, and their words and behavior will have no influence on you.