Discussion Post #7: Compassion Campaigns (GRADED ASSIGNMENT)
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For this week, our focus is on compassion toward the self and campaigns intended to spread compassion to others. For this week’s journal please peruse the websites below, watch the video, and answer the following questions. 500 words min.
Video:
Websites to view:
http://compassionit.com/
https://realitychangers.org
http://www.chopra.com/articles/spreading-compassio…
http://1billionnets.org
http://acumen.org
https://topnonprofits.com/lists/best-nonprofit-web…
Questions.
1) What are your thoughts about the Ted Talk presentation?
2) Do you feel humans are inherently designed to be compassionate (look into mirror neurons)? Why? Why not?
3) Are there specific cultures that are more compassionate than others? Why do you think this is? Provide examples.
4) Assuming and hoping you want to – How can you better practice self-compassion?
5) Which of the websites (comment on one provided, or feel free to find a non-profit website not on the list) do you feel does the best job at motivating others to practice compassion? Why?
6) What role can you have in spreading compassion to others?
1)
1) I thought Daniel Goleman’s TED Talk about compassion was super interesting. I liked his anecdote about the Princeton students. I found it very telling that half of them had just read about helping a sick man on the street, yet all of them walked past a sick man on the way to their sermons yet many did not stop to help. It only mattered if people felt they were in a hurry, not if they consciously knew what was right or wrong. I agree with Daniel when he says we do not take every opportunity to help others because our focus is in the wrong direction and we are overly consumed with what is important in our own lives. He explains that human’s default wiring is to help, which I found really interesting because I did not know this before. I think it was really interesting that he explains all the reasons we do not help in many cases, in regards to our own self-absorption. I definitely agree that people are so wrapped up in themselves and their own struggles they forget to empathize and share compassion for other people’s issues. Oftentimes giving to others makes us feel good which in itself is just helping ourselves and is not rooted in wanting to help the lives of others. I really liked how he talked about dating and how it’s important to note when people ask about “you” rather than just speaking about themselves. Overall, I found this TED Talk very interesting and it really opened my eyes about compassion and helping others. I thought that Daniel Goleman made many great points and this was very insightful.
2)I think humans are inherently designed to help others and be compassionate. Even Daniel Goleman stated that humans default wiring is to help. I believe humans are caring and compassionate creatures and the goal in our life is measured by how we positively impact others. Some may argue that humans are inherently selfish, but I do not think that is necessarily true. When looking into mirror neurons I found that they are neurons that show our brain learns from imitation. Meaning the actions we observe and see around us we learn and in turn, end up mirroring. This is important when thinking about whether humans are designed to be compassionate. If we observe others helping others we are more likely to display that kind of behavior. In contrast, when we see selfishness we may be more inclined to act that way, which is why people may argue that people are selfish. When I thought about this deeper I also thought about how mirror neurons can help facilitate our feelings of empathy or compassion. We learn by imitation so if we see someone sad or injured these neurons can help us understand what those are feeling and make us feel more compassionate.
3) I think some cultures are more compassionate than others. I thought back to when we learned about individualist versus collectivist cultures and the different aspects of those. I would argue that collectivist cultures would be more compassionate because the culture revolves around the greater good of all people, not just oneself or immediate family. People tend to care for those in their extended families and are more concerned with the well-being of others within collectivist cultures making them generally a more compassionate culture. I think this is just the way the cultures function and also how the people a part of the cultures learn to act. In individualistic cultures, people may inherit skills or learn to look out for themselves before others and in collectivist cultures, people may tend to care more about others than themselves. An example I can think of is in Korean cultures people tend to take care of their parents for their whole life and the elderly live in the home with the rest of the family. I believe this shows a great deal of compassion and caring because they take care of their sick or elderly family. In places like America often the elderly are sent to homes to be looked after by others. This is an action that is not necessarily uncompassionate but shows less care and empathy than taking care of them yourself like in Korea cultures.
4) I think self-compassion is very important and something I strive to improve on. Sometimes I think I am too hard on myself and hold myself to too high expectations or standards. I think school is a place where I tend to try very hard and get disappointed with myself when I do not succeed in everything. I would like to start being less hard on myself in that regard and just remember that it is okay to not get good grades on every single assignment. I want to start setting realistic goals and not beat myself up when I do not succeed at everything. It is important to cut yourself slack at times and remember that you are trying your best. I will start to speak to myself nicer and work on giving the compassion I give to others to myself as well. It is important to be motivated and want to succeed but unrealistic expectations only allow me to feel let down.
5) I thought that the Reality Changers nonprofit personally did the best job at motivating others to practice compassion. I think even the name is so moving because you really are changing people’s lives and reality by helping first-generation college students go to school. As a college student myself this nonprofit really spoke to me. I like how they used photographs and gave the stories of people that their organization helps. I think they did a good job at motivating people to want to help.
6) I took a lot from the Ted Talk and a way I can spread compassion is by stepping out of my self-absorption and focusing on others. It is not that I can’t or don’t want to help others, it is just that I am so focused on myself I forget so many people out there need more help than me. I can start by learning and focusing on others’ issues rather than always being consumed by my own. I think simply realizing and shifting my focus off of myself is a great way to start spreading compassion to others.
Ruby,
I really appreciated your answer to the last question. You mentioned that you want to focus on other’s issues rather than only your own. I relate to that a lot. It’s easy to be in my own head and depend on others to listen to me and be there for my needs without realizing that there are peers and friends around me that also want space to share and feel heard. I’m interested to seee how you grow and wish the best of luck to the both of us!
2)
1. Daniel Goleman’s TED talk in my opinion was extremely eye opening and insightful on how compassion plays and does not play a role in our community. I thought he did an amazing job explaining and setting up his presentation through giving background, interviews, and stories through out the entirety of his talk. I found it interesting how he brought in the neurologist and how the human brain works regarding compassion which is linked to empathy. I found it crazy that I was just in Santa Cruz last weekend and had no idea that someone committed such brutal crimes. Knowing the information and how impactful compassion can be, it makes me more of aware of my actions and items that I buy or use. I believe and find it extremely useful for people to watch and be aware of this TED talk because the information and tools given can be used in everyone’s day to day life to help makes this world a better place.
2. My opinion on if people are born being compassionate is not black and white. I find it to be different in each person and vary to the degree of compassion each person holds. In my opinion and experience I see a link between empathy and compassion. If someone is empathetic towards their peers and community around them, I also see them as compassionate. I am extremely empathetic and try my hardest to be compassionate throughout my day to day life. Being aware and making an effort is something I think everyone has the choice to make, unfortunately not everyone does. I also believe that compassion is taught and comes from the way you grow up. If your parents teach you to care for others and be aware of their feelings then I think compassion will follow and be innate. This is because of our mirror neurons and when we observe our parents being compassionate we follow in their foot steps.
3. I find that their our specific cultures that are more compassionate than others. If others are more compassion in the culture then the off spring will observe such actions and follow in those ways. This is due to the mirror neurons in our brain. In a collectivist society, there tends to be more compassion because the individuals in such community are more focused on the groups goals rather then their own. Ecuador and Peru are two examples of cultures that are seen to be most compassionate. They are more focused on empathy and other people’s feelings and wants. This is a beautiful things that I believe everyone needs to be more aware of.
4. There are many steps and things that I can do to work on self compassion. I need to be kind and warm to myself and stray away from my negative thoughts. When I fail or make a mistake I need to reword myself to see it as more of a learning obstacle rather than failure. I need to be aware of my pain and address it rather than barring it and ignoring my true feelings. If I ignore my suffering it will develop deeper and grow into a bigger problem. I need to work on connecting the love I have for myself with my thoughts and actions I have towards myself.
5. Spreading Compassion from the Inner to Outer World I feel does the best job at motivating others to practice compassion. I feel this way because, for starters, it does an amazing job at splitting up and expanding compassion. It then follows with steps and actions people can take to work on compassion and empathy towards others. Finally it’s shows the effects it has on individuals. It is a perfect way to start people’s journeys on being more compassionate in the real world.
6. The most effect way I can spread compassion is also the simplest. I can be more aware of my actions and the way they make the people around me feel. I can also talk to my family and friends and be a role model or teacher of compassion in their life. I can show them the benefits it has on society and how impactful it truly can be!
Hi Olivia,
I also agree that this tedtalk was very eye opening and comforting to hear. Some times I think I am being dramatic when I react the way I do to certain instances that happen around me but I don’t have to put up with some things in life that I do. I also think spending compassion will draw more compassion to you. Nice post!
3)
1) I enjoyed the Ted Talk. I especially liked the bit about the sermon and the good samaritan. Even though they were going to give lessons about that exact story, they didn’t stop to apply it, proving that their conviction about the lesson was not that deep.
2) I think humans are inherently designed to be compassionate. I think we want to assume that we are often selfish and self seeking, but I think most of the time we are aware of instances that we could help. A lot of people choose to ignore that or they weigh the value and reward of something before doing it. The definition of mirror neurons are brain cells that reacts both when a particular action is performed. This means that when we see something we are inclined to imitate it. Therefore if we see acts of compassion and kindness we want to imitate them. The fact that we have an inkling to imitate certain acts etc, even specific acts of compassion leads me to believe we are inherently compassionate. The fact that we want to imitate these actions, even if it is subconscious proves that it is nurture and nature.
3) I would say collectivist cultures are more compassionate. Knowing what we know from recent material, individualist cultures are often focused on themselves and are more motivated to do what benefits them. Compassion is about being outwardly focused and working for the greater good. It’s less about self and more about those around you. For example, according to an article psychology today, Ecuador is the number one most empathetic country, and is also a collectivist country.
4) In order to practice self compassion, I need to see myself as my own friend. We always talk about treating others the way we want to be treated, but hardly think about, “wait how do I actually want to be treated.” The way others treat us, starts by treating ourselves with respect. I can do this by being kinder to myself. Treating myself to experiences that I want and maintaining gratitude and positivity. This will help me have an optimistic outlook on life and resort less to taking out any anger or negativity with myself.
5) I think compassionit.com does the best job of motivating others to have compassion. Other than the fact that it’s the name, the website emphasizes that this is something that we all need to work on. On the front page it states, “Let’s create a more compassionate world. Together.” This motivates website visitors to analyze their compassion, but without feeling attacked or guilty. Other websites attached like acumen.org seem practical, but upon the website are more logics and marketing based, rather than getting to the heart aspect.
6) In order to spread compassion to others, I want to be more proactive in my community. I think I’m already past the part of watching videos online and donating, but I want to experience some of the community and through that be able to create sustainable change. Last week, my friends and I wrote cards for a senior center and plan on having them delivered at Christmas. We are still in the process of getting more service acts achieved, but it felt good to do something practical and put ourselves in the mindset of the elderly that do have a hard time during the holdiays.
Hi Amanda,
I also talked about how collectivist cultures tend to be more compassionate compared to individualist cultures. I thought it was cool that we both had that idea based on the previous material in this course. I also really liked how you talked about wanting to be kinder to yourself because I think that is something we should all improve on. Overall, I enjoyed reading your response, and thanks for sharing!
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