compassion

what does compassion mean?

Compassion means feeling what that person is feeling, holding it, accepting it, and taking some kind of
action.

what does compassion do?

Compassion may boost our well-being because it helps shift the focus on from ourselves to focus on
others.

Thereby, compassion can help reduce depression, as depression is related to self-focus.

Compassion may protect against stress as it increases our willingness to trust.

If you are compassionate to your employee, he or she will be more loyal to you.

How can you train compassion?

4 step compassion action plan

1. When a person in your life is acting in a counterproductive manner, take a step back and ask yourself
what might be motivating that behavior.

2. Recognize that if the person is acting that way, he or she may be suffering somehow.

3. Take the time to think about what might be causing this negativity.

4. Approach the other person with a genuine desire to help reduce the suffering and to find common,
constructive ground to move forward.

When a person close to you makes a mistake, this is how you can respond with compassion:

1. Take a step back. Take time to cool off.

2. See the situation from the person’s perspective.

3. Forgive the person. That strengthens your relationship with the person and improves many other
things.
8 step compassion exercise

1. Set a timer for 4 minutes.

2. Sit comfortably, relax, and focus your attention on your breath to let your mind settle.

3. Recall a person, who is experiencing challenges.

4. Be aware of how it must feel for the person experiencing the challenges.

5. Breathe out everything that you imagine this person needs, for example warmth and strength.
Imagine that the warmth and strength enter the person.

6. Breathe in to imagine removing all the pain and suffering that the person experiences.

7. When you’re ready, let go of the person and return your attention to your breath.

8. When you’re ready, let go of the practice and notice how you feel.

Three Ways to Develop Compassion

The main way to cultivate compassion is by having the intention of doing it, reflecting on those we love
and how we are living our lives. The Greater Good Science Center has some specific ways to help you
jumpstart this process. Here are some of their suggestions:

Practice Altruism

Open yourself to acts of altruism. This can be practiced by reaching out for connectedness and offering
support to those in your family and others in your world, forgiving people who have hurt you in your life
and releasing your resentments and opening your mind and heart to those who are different than you..

Experience the Power of Meditation

Meditate on feelings of compassion by picturing someone you love or who needs your support. Guided
meditation can be used to help get started.

Put a Human Face on Suffering

Recognizing the suffering of others and finding ways to help will move you into a compassionate
lifestyle. As you do this, try not to be overwhelmed, but rather look at small things you can do to help.