In contrast to Western conceptions of self-reliance, Buddhism strongly emphasizes the spirit of compassion and loving-kindness. Compassion is simply a kind, friendly presence in the face of what’s difficult. Its power is connecting us with what’s difficult—it offers us an approach that differs from the turning away that we usually do.
Practices like Metta meditation involve extending heartfelt wishes for one’s or another’s well-being. This emotional warmth and care for self and others has a calming, uplifting impact. It boosts oxytocin and serotonin while lowering blood pressure and cortisol.
Studies reveal that dedicating even 10 minutes daily to send compassionate intentions builds empathy and resilience. Doing so strengthens neural structures related to emotional regulation—allowing faster recovery from negative emotional states. Embracing this habit nourishes incredible patience, courage, and inner peace.
The bottom line to our compassion comes from the timeless aspect of life I ofter write and speak about – empathy. Empathy is being able to perceive others’ feelings (and to recognize our own emotions), to imagine why someone might be feeling a certain way, and to have concern for their welfare. Once empathy is activated, compassionate action is the most logical response. Many confuse empathy (feeling with someone) with sympathy (feeling sorry for someone.
Reining in over-empathy requires emotional intelligence; its underlying skill is self-awareness. You always need to be prepared to explore and meet your own needs. Whenever your empathy is aroused, regard it as a signal to turn a spotlight on your own feelings.
