How Culture Affects Compassion

How Culture Affects Compassion

Compassion is strictly defined in dictionary terms as sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. I find “sufferings” to be the key word there as suffering is inextricably linked with compassion. However, compassion just doesn’t appear just because there is suffering–it requires someone to notice another’s suffering.

Therein lies the conundrum for some cultures–because there is a natural tendency in most of us, a tendency to want to avoid feeling negative emotions. Conversely, however, research suggests that when people are exposed to negative events that they acquire more of a tolerance towards feeling negative emotions.

Being able to feel these negative emotions allows someone to more easily see outside of themselves, thereby putting them in a better position to be compassionate. It is also important to note that different cultures have different interpretations of compassion. In the United States, there is more of a focus towards positive statements with regard to compassion. In other countries, such as Germany and China, compassion is more likely to be shown by mirroring the pain of the other person.

So basically, as human beings, it would do us well, I feel, to be more accepting of negative emotions. They may literally not feel as good (nor be as fun), but allowing ourselves to both see and accept negative emotions is paramount towards seeing others’ needs.

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Given that compassion is such a universal part of the human condition, what are some of your own life experiences (with compassion) that you’d like to share?

#Compassion #Suffering #Cultures #Emotions