Wired for Compassion

   Research indicates that compassion is actually a survival trait wired into our brains to help keep us, and our “tribe”, alive.

   Back in the cave days when the human species was still eking out a living hunting and gathering to survive, the whole tribe lived and died based on the health of its members. Mothers, babies, fathers, all had a crucial role in the survival of the species.

   So it makes sense that when some member of our tribe expressed distress, we were moved to relieve that suffering because our very existence depended on it.

   This bodes well for the idea that compassion can be developed, because it is already an inherent part of being a human.

   The next question that arises is: Since survival of the species isn’t on everyone’s mind in this day and age, does compassion still exist? Or has it become extinct?

   There have been a variety of brain studies done on people that show specific parts of the brain are activated when people are shown pictures of compassionate or helping activities, versus pictures of war, or buildings, or people alone.

   Another ongoing research study is measuring brain activity while individuals meditate on compassion (http://compassion.stanford.edu/programs/researchProjects.html) to identify more specifically which parts of the brain are responsible for compassion.

   Still other research has looked into the biochemical changes in the brain that result from being compassionate and doing compassionate things for other people. This has led researchers to state that there are positive benefits to the person who acts compassionately, in addition to the benefits to the person who receives the compassionate act.

   This shows that the “wiring” of compassion still exists in our brain, which means we all have it, and we can all use it.

   So if a certain amount of compassion is a natural component of being human, how does one go about becoming more compassionate?

   Like any skill, it takes practice.

   Observing compassion around us, practicing simple compassion on a daily basis, and looking for ways to feel and act with greater compassion seem to be ingredients that will add up, over time, to becoming a more compassionate individual.

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   For more ideas on practicing compassion, go to: www.CompassionSpace.com.