Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Being Compassionate
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Definition: The Many Faces of Compassion The Oxford Dictionaries online defines compassion as “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others” and traces the origin to ecclesiastical Latin’s “compati,” meaning to “suffer with.” Over the centuries, the term has become more complex, as evidenced by the wide variety of definitions and approaches to this concept published on the website of The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine.The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Scientific Approaches to Compassion Compassion is a feeling that arises when a person becomes aware of another’s suffering, feels empathy for that person, and takes action to ameliorate that suffering.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas The Importance of Compassion for Community Building The Need for Compassion The Role of Compassion in Community Building
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Favorable Conditions for Use of Compassion Under what conditions is it most appropriate or helpful to be compassionate? What about the suffering outside our personal sphere? When and how do we recognize the suffering and extend our compassion?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Compassion Predicaments The concept of the compassion predicament can be extended further as we ask ourselves: just what is our responsibility in taking compassionate action? Whose suffering do we allow into our awareness? When do we allow ourselves to feel empathy? What does another person’s suffering require of us?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How to Use Compassion in Community Building The challenges for us as community builders Building Awareness Include Many Perspectives Conduct Surveys and Assessments A checklist, index, or assessment that can provide a snapshot of the community’s status concerning various issues that relate to the wellbeing of the community Share Stories
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How to Use Compassion in Community Building The challenges for us as community builders (cont.) Encouraging Empathy Provide First-Hand Experiences Read, Celebrate, and Work Together Sharing Compassion through Art Appeal to Values Moving to Compassionate Action Contagion of Compassionate Actions Paying It Forward The Sum is Greater Than Its Parts
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Developing and Promoting Compassion Teach and Learn Compassion Individuals can benefit personally by learning to be more compassionate. Many scientists believe that compassion may even be vital to the survival of our species. “What would compassion do?” to bridge the gap for individuals who are feeling lonely or isolated.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Developing and Promoting Compassion Gain Emotional Intelligence Skills Build Compassion Education in the Schools Join Efforts with Others in a Global Compassion Movement The Charter for Compassion International
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Challenges, Issues, and Reflection Questions How do we encourage compassion and compassionate action within our communities? Should we extend compassion to those who have committed heinous crimes? To the mentally ill? To those who declare hatred of some other group(s)? To those who have personally injured or offended us or our loved ones? Can “pro-social” actions be effective if they are not motivated by compassion? How do we create healthy boundaries so that, like Avalokitesvara, we don’t experience “compassion fatigue” or fall into hopelessness? What about those individuals who did not experience “familial compassion” in their upbringing and might seemingly be incapable of compassion? How do we choose our response? How do we decide on the “limits” for compassion?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas In Summary Compassion is a quality—an asset—that most of us are born with and that first develops in the caregiver-infant bond. Compassion has a fundamental role to play in resolving the challenges of our 21st-century world. Experiencing suffering, acquiring empathy, reaching out to help with compassionate action, and feeling “elevation” are all qualities that can be developed through awareness, experience, and training. Research findings can also play beneficial roles in developing self- compassion and compassion for others. Each individual act of compassion can have far-reaching effects.