What Is Compassion? 💛

August 07, 2023

Hey, there, Yogis!

Today we wanted to explore what Compassion means and why it matters.

Compassion involves feeling another person's pain and wanting to take steps to help relieve their suffering. The word compassion itself derives from Latin and means "to suffer together."

It is related to other emotions such as sympathy, empathy, and altruism, although the concepts have some key differences. Empathy refers more to the general ability to take another person's perspective and feel the emotions of others. Compassion, on the other hand, is what happens when those feelings of empathy are accompanied by the desire to help.

Compassion is important because it promotes meaningful connections, facilitates problem-solving, and improves health and well-being. Compassion, at its core, is about putting aside judgment and refusing to turn away from challenging situations. It’s about understanding the struggles of another person and wanting to help.

Types of Compassion

Compassion for others: When you experience compassion for other people, animals, and beings, you feel their pain and want to find a way to relieve their suffering. These feelings compel you to take action to do what you can to make the situation better.

Self-compassion: This involves treating yourself with the same compassion and kindness that you would show to others. Rather than beating yourself up over mistakes you may have made in the past, you feel understanding, mindful, and accepting of yourself and your imperfections.

I. A quote by Martin Lowenthal in Opening the Heart of Compassion
"Compassion is a foundation for sharing our aliveness and building a more humane world."

II. Bhujangasana: An Asana For Flexibility And Chest Expanding

Cobra Pose, or Bhujangasana (boo-Jahn-GAHS-uh-nuh), is an energizing, prone (lying on belly) backbend, and an essential element of sun salutations. It gets its name from the Sanskrit words, Bhujang, meaning ‘serpent,’ and Asana, meaning ‘pose.’

This Asana is best known for its ability to help with back pain while strengthening the spine and back muscles and opening the chest. According to traditional yogic texts, this pose awakens Kundalini, the divine cosmic energy that fosters self-realization.

Some Benefits of Bhujangasana 🧘🏽‍♀️🐍
◽️Opens the heart and lungs
◽️Strengthens the spine
◽️Stretches chest, shoulders, and abdomen
◽️Stimulates abdominal organs
◽️Helps relieve stress and fatigue
◽️The male and female reproductive system improves

III. Wonder | Film

Wonder tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

Watch the Trailer

That would be all for today. Thanks for reading and please feel free to share your thoughts about Compassion with us. We would love to hear from you!
Xoxo

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