What struck me most was his message that “basic human nature is compassionate”. His optimism was an intriguing contrast to the pessimism that many of us feel when we are exposed daily to accounts of human selfishness, abuse and cruelty. He asserted this claim in spite of the fact that, since the late 1950s, his own country Tibet has been a victim of cultural devastation, torture and mass murder.
Compassion is basically kindness, with a deep awareness of the suffering of oneself and of other living things, coupled with the wish and the effort to relieve it. (img http://bit.ly/7S48sY)
In his talk, Ekman reveals the similarities between Darwin’s and the Dalai Lama’s perspectives on compassion, and he provides an overview of different forms of compassion, ranging from the most elementary to the most exceptional and heroic.
Compassion (from Latin: "co-suffering") is a virtue —one in which the emotional capacities of empathy and sympathy (for the suffering of others) are regarded as a part of love itself, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnectedness and humanism —foundational to the highest principles in philosophy, society, and personhood.
The English noun compassion, meaning to suffer together with, comes from the Latin. Its prefix com- comes directly from com, an archaic version of the Latin preposition and affix cum (= with); the -passion segment is derived from passus, past participle of the deponent verb patior, patī, passus sum. Compassion is thus related in origin, form and meaning to the English noun patient (= one who suffers), from patiens, present participle of the same patior, and is akin to the Greek verb πάσχειν (= paskhein, to suffer) and to its cognate noun πάθος (= pathos).
As any of the more than 50 million Americans caring for an elderly, disabled, or chronically ill loved one knows, the task requires superhuman strength and patience -- and loads of compassion.
Given the constant demands on your time and energy -- for months or years on end -- as well as the stress and frustration involved, having large reserves of empathy is crucial.
Yet as strange as it sounds, all that empathy can backfire, flooding you with the other person's pain, and leaving you exhausted, angry, even unable to care anymore.
Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of Taiwan's largest charity - the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation - has been selected by Time Magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential figures for 2011 in recognition of her lifelong philanthropy.
"The Tzu Chi Foundation (tzu chi means compassionate relief) is known for the astonishing speed and efficiency with which it brings aid to victims of natural disasters," the magazine wrote.
The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.
We have to have a deep, patient compassion for the fears of people, for the fears and irrational mania of those who hate or condemn us.
The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education is striving to create a community of scholars and researchers, including neuroscientists, psychologists, neuroeconomists and philosophical and contemplative thinkers around the study of compassion.
Drawing from such varied disciplines - from etiological approaches that examine the evolutionary roots of compassion to neuroscientific studies of the brain mechanisms that support compassion to the 'warm glow' feelings that reinforce altruistic behavior, CCARE is working to gain a deep understanding of compassion and its associated human behaviors in all its richness.
Compassion is a fundamental human trait, with deep psychological and evolutionary roots. By creating environments that foster cooperation and altruism, we help nurture the positive side of human nature.
The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society.
Based at the University of California, Berkeley, the GGSC is unique in its commitment to both science and practice: not only do we sponsor groundbreaking scientific research into social and emotional well-being, we help people apply this research to their personal and professional lives.
I'm repeatedly inspired by the GGSC's work- sub titled: The Science of a Meaningful Life. The whole concept of studying and making evident and available in many formats- the value goodness plays in the totality of our lives and culture. Highly encourage a visit to the site- you'll be drawn into topics that touch you. Two I'll read in a few minutes: "When Empathy Fails" and "Is a Happy Life Different than a Meaningful One?"- a 'juicy' question as a friend would say.
Think humans are born selfish? Think again. Dacher Keltner (founder Greater Good Science Center) reveals the compassionate side to human nature.
Humans are selfish. It’s so easy to say. The same goes for so many assertions that follow. Greed is good. Altruism is an illusion. Cooperation is for suckers. Competition is natural, war inevitable. The bad in human nature is stronger than the good. These kinds of claims reflect age-old assumptions about emotion.
This video was created as a basic introduction to the history and work of the Compassionate Listening Project.
The film focuses on our work in Israel and Palestine and our former work with Germans and Jews, as well as discussing the basic curriculum that we teach worldwide.
Wishadoo! is a social visionary enterprise committed to and infused with the core values of integrity, respect, and compassion, providing a foundation to
1) connect people who share these values;
2) foster innovation and creativity inspired by these values; and
3) initiate and support efforts focused on the creation of compassionate, cooperative communities.
Challenging traditional views of workplace anger, a new article by a Temple University Fox School of Business professor suggests that even intense emotional outbursts can prove beneficial if responded to with compassion. .. "when companies choose to sanction organizational members expressing deviant anger, these actions may divert attention and resources from correcting the initial, anger-provoking event that triggered the employee's emotional outburst."
True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring.
Compassion and nonviolence help us to see the enemy's point of view, to hear their questions, to know their assessment of ourselves. For from their point of view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers and sisters who are called the opposition.
The golden rule tells us that we should treat others as we would want them to treat us. Maybe so, but hopefully we won't treat them even half as badly as we treat ourselves.
"You're so lame!" "What a screw-up!" "How can you ever show your face in public again!"
Would you talk this way to a friend -- or even to a stranger, for that matter? Of course not. (Or at least I hope not!)
Compassion arises when someone brushes up against suffering and is a combination of empathy, feeling what another is feeling, and also an opening of the heart where there is a wanting to help in some way. As science reveals the benefits of cultivating compassion, it is starting to gain more prominence as something that could have a positive impact not just in our personal lives, but around the globe.
Here is a short list of the mainstream work being done with compassion and self-compassion:
The Compassion Fatigue workbook is based on the one day workshop Walking the Walk: Creative Tools for Transforming Compassion Fatigue, which has been offered across Canada to thousands of helpers in the fields of healthcare, community mental health, correctional services, education and the military since 2001. This workbook was designed for distance learners and those who prefer working at their own pace.
Topics covered include:
* Understanding compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma * Symptom checklist * Targeting areas for strategic planning * Understanding warning signs * Assessing contributing factors * Evaluating self-care * Identifying triggers * Solutions: personal, professional and organizational strategies
The Russian Patriarch Kirill the First has congratulated the Orthodox faithful on Easter. He said in a nationally televised address this night that the Gospel news of the resurrection of Christ contains a message of hope that cannot be allowed to be lost on anyone.
His Holiness spoke about the importance of compassion and urged his flock to extend support to the sick, the elderly, the lonely, the orphaned and the jailed.
Maybe compassion is the elixir of life. Perhaps the reason we've never found the mythical philosopher's stone is because we've always searched for something outside of ourselves. Compassion is an inside job.
New research suggests that compassion might be able to slow the aging process. Gerontologists (scientists who research aging) probing into why we age have found that a major part of the effects of aging may actually be collateral damage in the body due to inflammation.
In our society, the term compassion has been interpreted to mean a variety of things, and to some, is simply a form of pity or weakness. It’s depicted in the main stream media as a “feel good” emotion that is only appropriate in a certain time or place.
But in truth, compassion has the ability to transcend any difference in social status or religion to bring us together as one singular race. In this TED video journalist Krista Tippett explores the word compassion and pushes for a new, better suited definition for the word.
Jason Marsh: We are witnessing a revolution in the scientific understanding of human nature. Where once science painted humans as self-seeking and warlike--simplified notions of killer apes and selfish genes that still permeate popular culture--today scientists of many disciplines are uncovering the deep roots of human goodness.
Now this scientific revolution is chronicled in "The Compassionate Instinct," a new book (WW Norton) that I edited with Dacher Keltner and Jeremy Adam Smith.
Malaysia - One of the blessings of this world is the diversity of nations that we can appreciate. Allah has gift-wrapped nations with different cultures, colours, cuisine, artistic flair and landscapes.
Unfortunately, the language of compassion has been lost through the lines of time, with tension growing between families, small-knit societies and countries. With compassion resting on shaky grounds, our nation too feels the tremors of conflict and are encouraged to emulate the teaching of the most compassionate human being who once lived in this world; Prophet Muhammed.
This session focuses on the place of compassion, both in individuals" lives and in larger societal contexts, such as understanding across peoples and cultures as well as the future course of education." It examines how compassion and altruism can be brought into social and educational systems and what the benefits might be.
Whether it was a busy day, a painful craving, or simply a lapse in memory that took you away from your Lent commitment; it’s important to forgive yourself and to ask for forgiveness.
Jesus taught us to show compassion for others and we must also take time to show compassion for ourselves. If we feed into our own harmful feelings, compassion often falls to the side.
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