The importance of having compassion
Rick Hanson Ph.D.’s article “Have Compassion” defines compassion as “the wish that beings not suffer - from subtle physical and emotional discomfort to agony and anguish - combined with feelings of sympathetic concern.” To Hanson, compassion isn’t pity nor an agreement or waiving of rights. It’s something that opens your heart to the world around you and, in turn, improves the lives of those close to you.
However, compassion isn’t limited to those in your immediate circle. Hanson states, “Compassion is natural.” People have the instinct to help those suffering. Unfortunately, while people desire to help, many don’t know how to turn that desire into action.
How to show compassion
Hanson states that you don’t have to force compassion; one simply needs to open themselves to the difficulties the other person is facing. Let your heart be moved by their struggles, their stress, their sorrows and their strains. Your heart will open and compassion will come.
“Feel what compassion’s like in your body - in your chest, throat, and face. Sense the way it softens your thoughts, gentles your reactions. Know it so you can find your way back again,” Hanson describes.
Putting compassion into practice
While compassion is important because it allows us to sympathize with others, it’s much more than just a means to empathize. Compassion drives us to end the suffering of those we feel sympathy for. Everyone has the ability to feel compassion for others. Likewise, everyone can turn that compassion into action.
Hanson says to start with those closest to you: your family and closest friends. Bring your compassion to words; turn what you feel for them into tangible action. Then expand your circle of compassion. Include those who have been kind to you, like a friend. Think of ways that you can return their kindness to you. Keep expanding your circle. Expand to a neutral person, then to a difficult person. Keep expanding. Your compassion circle will continue to expand, reaching those in your neighborhood, city, state and county. Eventually, it will reach people all around the world.
The benefits of showing compassion
From the work that illuminAid has done and continues to do, we agree with Hanson when he says that “compassion reflects the wisdom that everything is related to everything else.” When we can sympathize, it draws us closer to those we sympathize with, even if we’ve never physically interacted with the person or people. And that connection inspires us to want to end their suffering and help them to lead a life of happiness.
Many people face immense struggles every day. We see it firsthand in the communities we travel to. Video can be a powerful tool for fostering compassion. It can foster compassion by showing the rest of the world the struggles the world’s most unfortunate have to endure. Likewise, it can help educate and inform people if the people watching feel compassion for those on the screen.
Compassion starts with our most immediate circle, but if we are proactive in putting our compassion into practice, we all can help end the suffering of those in need.