Compassion means ‘to suffer together’. From this sharing in suffering comes the motivation to help relieve the suffering of others. By taking action in some way, for example, wishing it were different for someone, sitting with someone who has just received bad news or providing a meal to someone in need, we are less likely to become overwhelmed by seeing the distress of others. As we enhance our ability to really see and feel what is around us, our ability to experience compassion grows. We can reach out, feel care, be kind and help others, not just our loved ones or friends but other living beings in our community and in the world.

 

The ability to feel compassion and be kind to others has been found to have numerous health benefits for our mind and body for both those giving and those receiving. We come into the world with a desire to connect with and care about and for others. We come into the world with a natural capacity for empathy, love and compassion. Through practicing compassion, we can strengthen that capacity over time.