I think we're still on track, but maybe getting ahead of ourselves.

See if you agree with this summary:

We were born. We experienced various adverse circumstances. We drew distorted conclusions from those experiences. We followed those conclusions to dead end paths. Now we are attempting to find a new path that leads towards a destination we have chosen.

The questions you've raised regarding compassion seems an example of how we monitor and guide our journey. We assess intention and integrity, evermore sharpening our aim. It's kind of like a GPS. It's probably an ongoing process that many are involved with as they search for answers. As we "score" ourselves, the purpose can become lost in the process and we'll feel guilty or incompetent, or stupid if we don't "measure up." We accomplish the goal of discovering our "position" and then punish ourselves when we believe we've discovered our faults. Where we stand is important to understand, but it should mean no more than that to us. Simply the point we find ourselves at, neither good, or bad. We can be free to choose whether this is acceptable or something we'd like to improve. The decision belongs to you completely and there is no wrong answer.

What you've discovered about yourself and how you respond is the act of self-creation. I think that may be some part of the answer to question 4 : What does the dragon / child / cloud want?

If the dragon / cloud / child wants a re-creation of who I am, I'll need to know where I stand on several self-defining issues. Compassion is only one, but what of the others? What are they? Integrity, sincerity, generosity, fairness, father, mother, child, brother, boss, employee, neighbor, citizen, student, patron, consumer... the list appears endless.

The dragon, etc... points us towards those issues that are most outstanding by reacting to the triggers. A strong reaction on our part illuminates a sensitive subject. We can use the triggers as indicators of what we need to heal. How many times have we avoided something that upset us? As long as it is allowed to exist without resolve, we limit our experience of life. The pain is a thorn that festers. Only surgery will extract it. That means confrontation. Avoidance is not the cure and only serves to deepen the wound. It is not the dragon you need to confront. The dragon is your guide to the center of the pain. We use the dragon for our purpose. He becomes an assistant in the act of self creation and healing.

Ironically, it's running towards, not from our fear that relieves our suffering. Only the least sophisticated person would put a hand in the fire. In the case of the dragon, the fire is internal and we are already standing in it.

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall." Confucius