In this week’s Contemplative Living Podcast, I look at Cultivating Compassion by Starting with empathy and using our attention. Attune to your own feelings to better sense what’s going on with another person. Our social brain is the circuitry that connects us intimately in every human encounter. Once we shift our attention to someone, we automatically sense their state of mind. In this world, we can be constantly overwhelmed by input. Our attention gets split continually. We are tuned out of present reality. Become calm and clear. Even-minded clarity lets compassionate action be balanced. Empathy naturally leads to compassionate action. It benefits us to cultivate compassion so our instinctive attention can operate freely.
It Starts With Empathy
Compassion is not a characteristic that we are born with – it is something that we must cultivate. And, it starts with empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is the foundation of compassion because without being able to see the world through another person’s eyes, we cannot truly understand their pain or suffering. Empathy is not always easy. We live in a world that is full of different people from different backgrounds and experiences. It can be difficult to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes when we have never walked a day in their life. But, it is important to remember that everyone has their own story. Everyone has been through something that has shaped them into the person they are today. When we take the time to empathize with others, we open up our hearts and minds to the possibility of compassion. We learn to see the world from a new perspective and gain a deeper understanding of the human experience. When we cultivate compassion, we make the world a better place for all.
Increased Attention Toward Others
When we feel compassion for others, we are more likely to see them as complex individuals with their own unique story, rather than as objects or obstacles. This allows us to connect with them on a deeper level and see them as fellow human beings. Compassion also motivates us to take action to improve their well-being, whether that means offering a helping hand or fighting for social justice. Compassion is not only about feeling empathy for others in difficult situations, but also about taking action to help them. When we see someone suffering, our natural instinct is to want to do something to ease their pain. This is the compassion impulse in action. The first step in cultivating compassion is to develop mindfulness, which will help us be more aware of the suffering of others and our own capacity to help. Once we’re aware of the problem, we can start taking steps to make a difference. For example, if you see someone who is hungry, you might give them some food; if you see someone who is lonely, you might reach out and offer companionship; if you see someone who is being mistreated, you might speak up or take action to stop the abuse. Of course, we can.
Watch this episode of Contemplative Living
Please “Subscribe” to our YouTube Channel and press the “Bell” so you will be notified of future posts.
If you enjoyed this, you might want to look at “Self-Worth.“
