Week 1 Compassion

“Empathy is a visceral feeling we often can’t control while compassion is a conscious action”. 

— Tony Robbins

In any discussion of compassion, what it is, when we have it, who acts on it, we first need to acknowledge the difference between empathy and compassion. This is vital to us, because feeling the pain of others can be emotionally draining and lead to our own physical ailments. According to Dr. Tanya Singer who researched this, empathy causes the brain to light up, activating the pain center. Compassion in the brain lights up positive feelings and connections. Empathy can be useful but can sap our motivation and emotional energy. If we are practicing compassion, we are more objective. We pay attention to what the other person needs instead of what we think they need.

Reframe compassion by thinking I care about your suffering, instead of I feel your pain. Then perhaps we can be more motivated to act. This week notice when you are feeling empathy or compassion, without judging yourself. We are learning a new approach that in the end will benefit others and ourselves.