Compassion is the feeling of concern that arises when we encounter
pain and suffering, our own as well as others. It involves the
motivation to relieve this suffering and is natural in everyone but for
many reasons often not cultivated. One can feel compassion without
acting on it.
While cynics may dismiss compassion as touchy-feely
or illogical, scientists are now mapping the biological basis of
compassion, suggesting its deep evolutionary purpose. Research shows
that when we feel compassion, our heart rate slows down, we secrete the
“bonding hormone” oxytocin, and regions of our brain linked
to empathy, caregiving, and feelings of pleasure light up, which can
result in our wanting to approach and care for other people.
Does research supports the value of practicing Compassion?
Scientific
research shows that being compassionate can improve health, well-being,
and relationships as well as being crucial to our survival. Compassion
can be cultivated by meditation practice and offers many benefits:
- Strengthens brain circuits for pleasure and reward and leads to lasting increases in self-reported happiness
- Reduces risk of heart disease by boosting the positive effects of the vagus nerve
- Makes people more resilient to stress; lowers stress hormones in the blood and saliva
- Boosts the immune response
- Increases Positive emotion, decreases rumination
- Decreases negative emotions such as: hatred, jealousy, anger
- Enhances communication and connection with others so better relationships
- More compassionate people / parents / workers / societies have better social skills, take care of their most vulnerable members, assist other nations in need, and perform more acts of kindness.
