OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga
Veritas et Misericordia
Name: JOHN ERICK MANALILI Date: 11/27/2020
Program: Bachelor of Science in Criminology Section: BSC 1-Y1-1
Session 14: Common Humanity
INTRODUCTION
One of the most important elements of self-compassion is the recognition of what shared humanity
is. When people are in touch with their common humanity, it can be resolved that the feelings of
inadequacy and disappointment are [Link] recognition of common humanity entailed by self-
compassion also allows everyone to be more understanding and less judgmental about each other’s
inadequacies.
We should establish the basis for compassion toward others through recognizing our shared common
humanity and appreciating the kindness of others and valuing the interconnectedness of human beings. In
this module, students will investigate what it means to really “see” other people and feel their concerns and
issues as no different from their own, except in the details of their personal stories. We will practice
contemplating, “Just like me, this person wishes to be happy and healthy and free from suffering.”
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Atthe end of this module, students are expected to:
1. Define common humanity
2. Relate and practice compassion to others through common human experiences
MODULE LESSON
Common Humanity - The sense of common humanity central to self-compassion involves recognizing that
everyone fails, makes mistakes, and gets it wrong sometimes
Enumerate common human issues of the class regarding self, others, etc.
MODULE ACTIVITIES
A. COMPASSION THROUGH COMMON HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Instructions
In pairs, think of an occasion on which you were in difficult communication with someone, or felt aversion
towards them; and then, suddenly, a greater understanding of their viewpoint or life experience brought a
feeling of care, concern, empathy, or warmth for them. How did you come up understanding that person
using your own experience? Discuss in pairs.
ANSWER: I'm the type of person that can communicate in anyways, but there are times that we will be
encountering such situations that might cause misunderstanding. But life is magical, we are not all perfect
and we tend to make mistakes. In my experience, it's okay because sometimes I'm also like that type of
person who commits a mistake. In the end, we come up with the same thought that communication is
important, so make it clear and give your thoughts a high voice to speak!.
B. MEDITATION
You may use any meditation technique to practice compassion through common human experience. This is
an example of meditation technique used to internalize common humanity given by the
[Link].
OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga
Veritas et Misericordia
Kindness Meditation 7: Our Common HumanityUsing Imagery
In this meditation, we reflect on what we have in common with other people as ameans to gain perspective
and to feel a sense of connection with others.
Preparation
Once you are ready to settle yourself onto your cushion or chair. Bring awareness tothe sensations in your
body, especially the contact with the ground and the chairor cushion. Take time to notice what is going on
in the body. Notice too – as bestyou can without any judgement – what is going on in your mind; what you
arefeeling and any thoughts that are prominent. Then spend some timewith the breath, following the breath
in and out, allowing yourself to settle morefully.
Stage one: self
Now spend some time reflecting on what you have in common with other beings;for example: All beings, in
their heart of hearts, like me, want to be happy and donot want to suffer. At times all beings, like me,
experience pain, and at timesexperience pleasure. Sometimes people do things that cause themselves
painand sometimes pain happens to them. In the same way sometimes I do things that bring me pain and
sometimes pain just happens to me. If you are suffering atthe moment, you could reflect that other people
will be suffering in a similar wayto you. Try to stay with a simple reflection without going off on stories or
qualifications about it, and as best you can notice the effect of the reflection on your body and your feelings
and emotions. The intention is to encourage a sense of sympathy and kindness towards yourself as a
human being, like other human beings.
ANSWER: I am raised by my only mother and sacrificing her happiness and time just for my sake, just to
make my life convenient and peaceful. It is hard for me, and most likely for her to flight abroad and work.
Yes, it's difficult but, my always motivation is making her proud by giving her my diploma in college, that's
why I'm striving hard and aiming for that goal. Salute to all raised by a single parent mom! you are all the
best and you are all superheroes!. ILOVEYOUALL!
Stage two: friend
Bring to mind a friend. Reflect as in stage 1. For example you could reflect that your friend, like you, wants
to be happy and does not want to suffer. Feel the sensations in the body, especially in the heart area.
Continue as in stage 1,alternating between using a reflection in relation to your friend and sitting with
whatever happens.
ANSWER: I have a friend who has also experienced my situation but, he is not just like me that has a
fighting spirit to fight. He is surrendering while the war is not yet starting. But as a friend, I'm motivating him
and giving him a way to fight!. As he will replace his dad at work while he is giving back what his father
gives when he is still studying.
Stage three: neutral person
Allow the image of your friend to fade. Return to yourself. Bring to mind a neutral person. Use a reflection
as in stage 1, for example reflecting that this person wants to be happy and does not want to suffer.
Continue as in stage 1,alternating between using a reflection in relation to the neutral person and sittingwith
whatever happens.
ANSWER: Suffering is hard indeed when you are alone at home and no one cares about you. But
sacrificing is quite a difference because if you sacrifice today, someday you will earn big and you will grow
like a tall tree above. Being positive at any moment can make your life happy in a period. Motivating
yourself will either make a big change to you, so let it be.
Stage four: difficult person
OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY
Valenzuela City • Quezon City • Antipolo City • Cabanatuan • Pampanga
Veritas et Misericordia
Allow the image of the neutral person to fade. Return to spending a little timewith yourself. Bring to mind
someone you don’t like or are in conflict with. Use areflection as in stage 1, for example reflecting that this
person wants to be happyand does not want to suffer, and yet may do actions that causes them
(andothers) to suffer. You could reflect that this person will grow older and die, just asyou will grow older
and die. If you are harbouring ill-will towards them you couldask yourself if this is how you want to live your
life. Continue as in stage 1,alternating between using a reflection in relation to the difficult person and
sittingwith whatever [Link] you find that you are getting overwhelmed with strong negative emotions,
suchas feeling ill-will towards the difficult person, then re-direct attention on yourselfwith kindness. Try to
bring an attitude of kindness towards yourself as youstruggle with difficult emotions. Then, when you feel
able, return to the difficultperson.
ANSWER: Why am I overthinking? It is okay, Yes's okay because, in the end, my future depends on it
that's why I'm not giving up easily. Overthinking is just my nature but now, I'm starting to remove or less
that habit just to make sure that I'm making the right decision that I've done. Hey self! be true to yourself
and ready your heart, mind, and soul for wars.
Stage five: all 4 people and all beings
Allow the image of the difficult person to fade. Return to spending a little timewith yourself. Now bring to
mind all 4 people: yourself, a friend, the neutralperson and the difficult person. Reflect, for example, that all
4 of you want to behappy and do not want to suffer. All 4 of you sometimes do things to cause yourown
unhappiness. As best you can encourage a sense of sympathy and solidaritywith yourself and the others as
humans who share a common humanity. Sit asbest you can with whatever [Link] expand your
awareness to incl
ANSWER: We are all making mistakes in life, but behind those mistakes is a lesson that would make us
grow as an individual and as a person. We tend to do things that might be right or not. We rather say yes or
no. But in the end, without committing mistakes, there is no lesson to be learned. Realizing your mistakes
can make you a better human being. Without it, you can't call yourself a human.
REFERENCES
Cohn-Vargas, B. (2016). How to Develop the 3 Most Common Types of compassion. Sixty and Me.
Mindset
Neff, K. & Dahm, K., (2015). Self-Compassion: What it is, What it does, and how it Relate to Mindfulness.
Mindfulness and Self-Regulation. New York Springer
Using What Has Been Learned to Deal with Future Moods .Retrieved from
[Link]
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