What is compassion?
In addition to his efforts to end apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his description of an equitable society for everyone. Numerous people have gained notoriety for their deeds of kindness. It’s natural to be compassionate, but some people are more fortunate than others. Why is this instinct vital for us humans, and what makes it so special that it has made some people famous?
Compassion means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, compassion is the feeling that arises when you witness another’s suffering and feel motivated to help relieve that suffering. It can be something so small it will not affect us.
A compassionate person easily recognizes that there is suffering, feels emotionally moved by the suffering, wishes to bring relief, and, most importantly, takes action to relieve the person from suffering. For example, we experience compassion when we drive past a woman with a child in a queue and hold a piece of luggage in the rain in search of a car. Or a woman with a child sleeping in the open cold weather. Our heart begins to beat and connect with such people. But unfortunately, not all people will be able to take action to bring relief.
The biology of compassion
Compassion is natural. The instinct that we feel when we are compassionate makes us wonder and begin to question why some people are more compassionate than others.
According to researchers, our brains’ natural human response to compassion is not only an unreasonable emotion we experience. As people gain rewards or enjoy pleasure, compassion activates the caudate nucleus and anterior cingulate regions of our brain. This is the same joy we get when our particular desires are satisfied. The human brain is also programmed to react to the misery of others, prompting us to offer support to lessen that suffering.
Besides the brain, other parts of the body, such as the cardiovascular system- regulating blood and the respiratory system- regulating breathing patterns are also involved in compassion. So, for example, when we feel compassion, our heart rate goes down.
Also, it is recognized that the hormone oxytocin contributes to compassion. Researchers have discovered that the hormone oxytocin fosters the nurturing behaviour that is at the core of compassion, such as caring for children. The study goes on to say that when people engage in human behaviours like warm smiles, friendly hand gestures, and affirmative forward leans, their bodies create more oxytocin. This implies that exhibiting compassion even just once will inspire us to do so repeatedly.
Why is it necessary to have compassion?
It is well-established that compassion makes us happier and is good for our bodies. Scientists have discovered that compassion is essential to the survival of the human race and have so urged us to practice greater compassion.
Here are a few advantages of compassion.
- Compassion helps us feel good – Certain behaviours, such as charitable giving, activate the pleasure-producing area of our brains. It improves the area of the brain responsible for pleasure and reward as we temporarily practice compassion.
- Compassion makes us more resilient to stress – Practicing compassion lowers the hormones responsible for causing stress and strengthens our immune system.
- Being compassionate lowers the risk of heart disease – The vagus nerve, which connects the brain and the heart, is positively impacted when we start to be more compassionate or show more love to others who are suffering. The heart is slowed in part by the vagus nerve.
- Being compassionate improves our social skills – Being compassionate makes us better at interacting with others and less prone to feeling lonely. But loneliness also has many detrimental effects, including stress and damage to the immune system.
- Compassion helps make a better spouse – Most of the time, compassionate people are very optimistic and supportive when communicating with others. Therefore, communication also plays a vital role in the life of married people.
How do we increase compassion?
Everybody has experienced the urge to brighten someone else’s day occasionally. But for a variety of reasons, we still can’t accomplish that. Sometimes we look in the wrong place. We can be too busy to notice when others are trying to assist us. As a result, compassion will break down in us as a result of this. Some strategies for fostering compassion are suggested by Daryl Cameron.
Strengthen the belief that doing something will have an impact.
We occasionally come across persons who need assistance. But, we frequently tell ourselves that aiding these folks won’t change anything. This idea discourages us from lending a helping hand to those in need. Nonetheless, we will make an effort if we can tell that aiding a specific person will have an impact. We must thus decide to assist one individual at a time.
Simplify possibilities for giving to make compassion seem less expensive.
It can be difficult to train the brain to be compassionate. When we choose to help someone, they may occasionally make things awkward by starting to want more than we can provide. For example, we can use a smartphone to donate money in the event of a crisis. Giving a mattress, some clothes, or anything else is another option. It might also be an invitation to have a meal with one or two churchgoers at your house.
Learn to develop compassion in your brain over time by practising it.
Compassion requires the ability to teach the brain. We need to create mind-training methods so that we can teach the brain to exercise compassion. Our minds will grow as a result, not our motivation. Traditions can be used to inspire individuals to develop compassion for themselves, their loved ones, their enemies, and strangers. According to research, cultivating compassion improves pleasant emotions, and social support lessens the negative pain associated with human suffering. Also, it lessens people’s anxieties about having compassion for others.