Compassion – No down side
The November 23 People’s Pharmacy podcast is entited “Why compassion is the key to a good life.” The guest “expert” is Dr. Kelly McGonigal who is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University.
Frequently I listen to podcast which challenge and stimulate my thinking. Occasionally, as with this podcast, what I already think is confirmed. Dr. McGonigal reports in her conversations with hosts of this show, Terry and Joe Graedon, that study after study and numerous antidotal reports confirm that there is no down side to compassion. She confirms that compassion for self and others:
The question that all of us must ask ourselves as individuals and community members is what prevents us from choosing compassion as opposed to revenge, anger, and punishment more often. We know that there are never positive results from dumping anger, being revengeful or punishing behavior. While we may at times find that an angry tone of voice gets someone’s attention, dumping anger is guaranteed to push others away.
I suspect that fear is one of the primary reasons why we temporarily find anger and punishment comforting. I further suspect that we are fearful of:
Perhaps others can add to list of reasons for holding on to fear and shielding oneself with anger, resentment, judgment and punishment. Certainly, there are those who are unable to consider the needs of others or to refrain from hurting others. As I have frequently suggested no one chooses to have a dysfunctional brain. There are those who need to be in a safe, secure environment – not to be punished but to keep them and others safe. We could be those people in an hour, a day or anytime in the future. I hope and pray that if my brain becomes unable to consider the needs of others – unable to be compassionate - that I am treated with compassion.
Written November 24, 2018
The November 23 People’s Pharmacy podcast is entited “Why compassion is the key to a good life.” The guest “expert” is Dr. Kelly McGonigal who is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University.
Frequently I listen to podcast which challenge and stimulate my thinking. Occasionally, as with this podcast, what I already think is confirmed. Dr. McGonigal reports in her conversations with hosts of this show, Terry and Joe Graedon, that study after study and numerous antidotal reports confirm that there is no down side to compassion. She confirms that compassion for self and others:
- Has a positive effect on the immune system and even the blood flow to the heart?
- Challenges one to remember that we all are hurtful some of the time and we are all hurt some of the time.
- Challenges those who are not being compassionate at the moment (Not feeding anger and other negative emotions and actions interrupts the system of negative interaction. Systems are systems are systems. If I change any piece of the system, the entire system is changed.)
- Does not guarantee a particular response from another person but it does open a door.
The question that all of us must ask ourselves as individuals and community members is what prevents us from choosing compassion as opposed to revenge, anger, and punishment more often. We know that there are never positive results from dumping anger, being revengeful or punishing behavior. While we may at times find that an angry tone of voice gets someone’s attention, dumping anger is guaranteed to push others away.
I suspect that fear is one of the primary reasons why we temporarily find anger and punishment comforting. I further suspect that we are fearful of:
- That part of us which is mirrored by the person we are judging.
- That part of us which can be broken and, thus prevent us from making rational decisions.
- Facing the fact that often there is no justice; there can only be an attempt to prevent or at least reduce further harm.
- Accepting that we may have to more equally share resources and, if this is true, digging deeper with ourselves to find a sense of worth outside of status, possessions, temporary appearance, or the illusion of piety.
Perhaps others can add to list of reasons for holding on to fear and shielding oneself with anger, resentment, judgment and punishment. Certainly, there are those who are unable to consider the needs of others or to refrain from hurting others. As I have frequently suggested no one chooses to have a dysfunctional brain. There are those who need to be in a safe, secure environment – not to be punished but to keep them and others safe. We could be those people in an hour, a day or anytime in the future. I hope and pray that if my brain becomes unable to consider the needs of others – unable to be compassionate - that I am treated with compassion.
Written November 24, 2018
RSS Feed