Word of the Day: Compassion
Earlier this week we explored the meaning of empathy, which means “in suffering.” Today we’ll look at the meaning of compassion. These words are related but subtly different. Realizing this subtle difference has helped me to care for others while also maintaining health in my own emotional state.
A few years ago I traveled through Ireland, Scotland, and the Nordic countries on a light work mission. While there, I met a man who was an advocate against compassion. He said that compassion was detrimental to a high frequency being since it lowers one into a state of suffering. We shared many resonate conversations, but on the point of compassion I felt disharmony with his viewpoint.
After learning more about the meaning of the word empathy I can understand his viewpoint more clearly. As we mentioned earlier, empathy means “in suffering.” We do invite ourselves into the experience of suffering when we practice empathy. It still has value when practiced with awareness.
Compassion has a slightly different meaning. Here we will investigate the true meaning of compassion through etymology.
compassion (noun) : sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it
Compassion comes from the 12th century word compassioun which means “a suffering with another” and is related to the Old French word compassion and Late Latin compassionem meaning “sympathy.” The word compassion is a noun from the prefix com- meaning “with, together” and the root pati meaning “to suffer.” One way of defining compassion is “with suffering.”
Breaking down the word compassion into it’s parts (com + passion) and revealing the meaning “with suffering” is enlightening. From my perspective, it feels very different to be in suffering (empathy) and to be with suffering (compassion.) To be in something is to be immersed in and surrounded by it. To be with something is to accompany it or to be together in proximity. In empathy I join you in the experience of suffering, feeling the suffering with you. In compassion I exist alongside you in your experience of suffering, aware of the suffering and wishing to alleviate it without needing to be in it with you.
I wrote about the word universe recently. Universe means “all matter and all space existing as one whole.” We are all a part of one whole and interconnected sphere, the universe. Another way of defining universe is “the totality of all existing things.”
If I exist in the universe and suffering exists in the universe, I exist with suffering in the universe.
One original meaning of compassion is “to suffer with.” Everything is interconnected in this one sphere of existence, and we coexist in this sphere with suffering. Compassion and empathy can be fuel for the courage to take action that alleviates the suffering. Knowing that we exist together with suffering can be fuel to make the world a healthier place for all.
Nothing has to change about my experience of life when I acknowledge that I exist alongside suffering. Compassion, or “with suffering,” simply involves consciousness of the feelings of others. This awareness is often paired with a desire to help alleviate it. To alleviate suffering I don’t have to also join in the suffering. I can hold space for others to express the reality of their experience. I can exist alongside others in loving awareness. I can model other possibilities through my own being.
There are many ways to assist others in need, to lend comfort and support. Both compassion and empathy make others feel less alone in suffering. Compassion and empathy both invite connection. The subtle difference in meaning has made a big difference in my experience as an empath. I am now more conscious of the emotional experiences I take on. We can maintain strength and health while also helping others. This is the wisdom of compassion.
