Huna Article
Huna International
The Importance of Compassion
by Pete Dalton
At a recent workshop I was at, the topic of compassion was discussed. It is a concept that I believe is
important for many reasons so I will explore it here.
What is Compassion?
Many popular dictionaries provide a common definition of compassion along the lines of: a feeling of
pity, sympathy, and understanding for someone who is suffering or sympathetic pity and concern for the
sufferings or misfortunes of others.
I think that these definitions fall a bit short and also omit two important elements often associated with
compassion, namely: an element of loving kindness and a desire to help.
Compassion is sometimes mistakenly considered to be the same as empathy. Empathy refers more to the ability
to take the perspective of another person and to some extent feel the same emotions. Interestingly,
neuroscience experiments 1 have looked at pointed to some differences in brain activity between people
practising empathy and those practising compassion. In addition, those practising empathy were shown to have
a tendency toward 'empathetic distress' where the focus included: their own emotional state; experiences of
negativity and stress; burnout and non-social behaviour. On the other hand, those practising compassion were
focussed on other's emotions; feeling positive feelings for example love; good health; and social behaviour.
One way in which the difference can be summarised is that unlike empathy, compassion is feeling for and not
feeling with the other. Empathy as a starting point for healing can be ineffective and I have referred to it
in a previous article where I describe the idea of 'connecting without sticking' i.e. avoiding becoming
'stuck' in empathy.
Some Physiological Benefits of Compassion
As noted, compassion has been found to have some physiological benefits. It is perhaps unsurprising that
Mattheiu Ricard, a Buddhist monk who has been dubbed 'The World's Happiest Man' practices compassion
meditation. As a subject of extensive scientific studies over a twelve year period, it was found that when
Ricard was meditating on compassion, brain scans showed activity suggestive of an abnormally large capacity
for happiness and a reduced tendency towards negativity.
Other research supports the mental and physical benefits of compassion. Some scientists have speculated that
there may be an evolutionary purpose to being compassionate. When we feel compassion our heart rate slows,
we secrete oxytocin--a hormone linked to relationship building and generosity--and regions of the brain
linked to pleasure are activated. All positive benefits supporting well-being.
It is conclusions like this that lend weight to the idea that when you are healing others and the planet you
are also healing yourself. Compassion can be a driver to want to make the world a better place and in the
process, you personally benefit.
This of course does not just take place on a physical level, but on an emotional and spiritual level too.
Personal Compassion
Compassion is often thought of as being directed 'out there' to other people, creatures and circumstances.
However, an aspect that is sometimes overlooked is compassion which is directed at ourselves. In his
excellent book It's Time to Come Home: With Kindness and Compassion We Come Back to Ourselves,
Stewart Blackburn sheds light on the compassion that we can show ourselves. I like this definition of
compassion that he provides:
a feeling of wanting things to be much better than they are. it is a desire for more pleasure in
the broadest sense of the word, for others and ourselves.
Very often we are self-critical and lack compassion for ourselves. This essentially is an act of self-abuse
resulting in many effects from low self-esteem to physical illness. Compassion towards our self is a way to
change such damaging behaviour. As Stewart writes:
Each time we alter our pattern of self-abuse, we claim a little more of that self love that is our
birth right. And the more we treat ourselves with love, kindness and compassion, the more we add those
qualities to the world.
And here we have a double whammy, based on the interconnectedness of everything: being compassionate to
ourselves, also benefits others and the world around us.
Practising Compassion
There are many ways of practicing compassion including the offering of physical healing and support to help
others.
From a Huna perspective, the Little Pink
Booklet of Aloha provides some excellent ideas which can be used to practice compassion.
Another effective way to practice compassion is to develop a regular meditation practice and include a focus
on compassion. There are many variations of compassion meditations originating from many different
traditions. Here is a simple variation on the theme based on the Aloha Spirit approach.
1. Get Centered
Assume comfort, centeredness and focus through whatever method you prefer. I usually use Stillpoint
breathing.
2. Build a Wave of Love
Begin by focussing on the idea of love and allow these feelings to build inside your body.
Focus on someone that you love. Bring the person to mind (you may want to imagine a connection between you
like a cord or light if that helps) and feel the feeling of love in your body and imagine it filling the
other person as appropriate (e.g. be happy, be joyful, be peaceful, be loved).
Relax deeply into the feelings that accompany this process.
3. Compassion for Other People
Now, if there is someone close to you that is suffering in any way, bring that person to mind and focus on
that person. Allow a feeling of loving kindness towards that person to build and as it does so in your mind
make appropriate positive blessing statements for that person.
You can then repeat the process for other people. This can be other people you know, people you have not met
and even people who you do not personally like.
4. Compassion for Nature
If you wish you can continue the process by focussing on specific animals, plants and other natural
phenomena. Bring them to mind, build a feeling of loving kindness and make positive blessing statements.
5. Compassion for Events and Circumstances
If you wish you can continue the process by focussing on specific events and circumstances. Bring them to
mind in turn and build a feeling of loving kindness and make positive blessing statements.
6. Compassion for Self
Now do a similar process with yourself. Initially you may find it easier to bring an image of yourself to
mind outside of yourself. As before build a feeling of loving kindness and say positive blessings with
intent. Over time (or for some right away) you may be able to focus on yourself fully embodied where you are
situated during the meditation and do the same process and really connect with the feelings for yourself.
7.Blanket Compassion
I end the meditation with a blessing for anything and everything that would like it and benefit. I assume my
Ku is connected to whatever is required and I make general positive blessing statements that I trust will
get where they need to go.
Some Reflections
At any time during this process, the quality of feeling may change depending on what you are focussing on
and that is fine. Keep focussed on doing the process.
I start by focussing on love in general as that seems to be an easier starting point.
Some or all the elements can be included. Blanket compassion is a great catch all meditation in it's own
right.
Some variations of compassion meditation, focus on the suffering aspect e.g I want X's suffering to stop. I
find that it is more powerful if you focus positively on what you want for that person or situation rather
than what it is now. Focussing on the suffering also risks tipping into empathy rather than positive
compassion.
Some people find it easier to start with feeling compassion for others rather than themselves, hence the
order of steps above - although any order will work. Some people find it easier initially to see an image of
themselves and work with that. Over time it becomes easier to be fully embodied when focussing on compassion
for yourself.
Trust and confidence in the process is important.
Regular practice develops the habit of volitional compassion in the Ku. It can be practiced with or without
formal meditation.
Pete Dalton ©2018
Pete Dalton is an Alakai of Huna International living in the UK. For more information on his work visit
his website www.urbanhuna.org
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