Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Albert Einstein
Widening Our Circle of Compassion
Theme: Compassion
A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘universe,’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Albert Einstein, born on 14 March 1879 and passing away on 18 April 1955, stands as one of the most renowned theoretical physicists in history. Best known for his groundbreaking special and general theories of relativity, his scientific endeavors spanned a multitude of areas within the field of physics. Amongst his numerous accolades, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for his elucidation of the photoelectric effect—a phenomenon that expanded the horizons of quantum theory.
Einstein's journey, however, wasn't merely defined by scientific discoveries, but by the myriad challenges he overcame across various dimensions of his life. In his spiritual journey, he grappled with the concepts of God and universe. Socially, he navigated the complexities of his time—facing the rise of anti-Semitism, experiencing exile from his homeland due to Nazi oppression, and advocating for civil rights, disarmament, and global peace. These adversities only strengthened his resolve and underscored his resilience.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Einstein's life was enriched by a tapestry of relationships and dialogues with luminaries from diverse fields. He engaged in profound conversations on the nature of reality with the likes of the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, discussed the principles of non-violence with Mohandas Gandhi, and deliberated on humanitarian issues with Albert Schweitzer. Furthermore, his camaraderie with fellow scientists and physicists provided a fertile ground for intellectual exchanges, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation during one of the most exciting epochs in scientific history.
Levy, Naomi. Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul. Flatiron Books, Macmillan, 2018 [Naomi Levy, Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul] pp. 22-23.
Albert Einstein
Theme: Compassion
About This Albert Einstein Quotation [Commentary]
Albert Einstein’s statement—“our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty”—arises from his insight into the illusion of separateness. He describes a “delusion of consciousness” that leads us to believe we are isolated from the universe, when in fact we are “part of the whole.” This illusion, he says, confines us to “our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.” By recognizing this as a kind of “prison,” Einstein points toward compassion as the way to loosen its grip.
He does not describe compassion as merely emotional, but as a shift in perception. To “widen our circle of compassion” is to begin seeing the world more clearly—not divided, but interconnected. This clarity allows us to extend concern beyond our immediate attachments to “all living creatures” and to “the whole of nature in its beauty.” For Einstein, this is not just ethical but necessary; our freedom depends on it. When we reduce the illusion of separateness, we begin to relate more fully to the reality we are already part of.
Einstein’s words invite a move away from self-enclosure toward deeper participation in life. Rather than withdrawing into isolated identity, we can open to a wider belonging. The more we recognize our shared existence, the more naturally compassion arises. In naming this as our “task,” Einstein offers not only a description of our condition, but a direction forward: to free ourselves by widening our care and embracing the living world in its wholeness and beauty.
Rabbi Naomi Levy’s Commentary
Rabbi Naomi Levy and Einstein both tell us that feeling separate from each other is an illusion we need to break free from. They urge us to be more compassionate, not just to people but to all living things. Einstein’s note to the family of his late friend Michele Besso adds another layer by pointing out that even our sense of time is an illusion. In essence, both Levy and Einstein are guiding us toward the same truth: as Einstein put it, “Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
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