To reach enlightenment in Buddhism, one must overcome attachment to the pleasure of peace. Gampopa defines the pleasure of peace as “the desire to achieve nirvana only for oneself without the altruistic mind for sentient beings, and because of it, one does not benefit others” which is also termed as the lesser vehicle (Gampopa, 126). The remedy for this is the practices of loving-kindness and compassion. When one develops this loving-kindness and compassion, then one will have a mind that wants all sentient beings to meet with happiness as well as be free from suffering and its cause. When one achieves this, then one is attached to all sentient beings and no longer wants to attain liberation only for oneself. Compassion is so heavily ingrained …show more content…
A method that reduces responses to stress would in turn attenuate stress-induced activation of the innate immune and neuroendocrine responses. This proposition inspired a study by Pace et al. who examined the effect of compassion meditation on innate immune, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Pace also evaluated the degree to which engagement in meditation practice influenced stress-reactivity. The study involved randomizing a large group of adults into either six weeks of training in compassion meditation or participation in a health discussion control group followed by exposure to a standardized laboratory stressor. Responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) were determined by assessments of concentrations of interleukin 6 and cortisol which are known markers for the immune system and stress responses, respectively (Pace, 3). They found within the meditation group that increased meditation practice was correlated with decreased TSST-induced IL-6 and lower Profile of Mood States (POMS) distress scores. They also discovered that individuals with meditation practice times above the median exhibited lower TSST-induced IL-6 and POMS distress scores compared to individuals below the median, who did not differ from controls (Pace, 4). This data suggests that engagement in compassion meditation may reduce stress-induced immune and behavioral responses suggesting compassion meditation provides a physiological benefit to our
The definition of compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. As this definition shows compassion shows concern for other that every person would love to have. In The Chosen written by Chaim Potok, Mr. Potok really presents compassion in his book. Not only does he display compassion in one of his character but in every single one he gives them compassion that is expressed in different ways. He goes into detail example of compassion with each of his characters and really emphasizes the true meaning of compassion.
The documentary The Dhamma Brothers deals with a group of prisoners in an Alabama who partake in an intensive Vipassana meditation retreat, their experience illustrates that even those serving life sentences for crimes are not beyond personal growth and rehabilitation. In the documentary, the Birmingham Maximum Security Prison in Alabama participated in an intensive meditation program based off the Vipassana principles. Prisoners that volunteered were to remain in total silence and meditate for 10 days as part of the program. It viewed the lives of four prisoners convicted of murder before, during the intensive and arduous meditation process and the after effects of the program. Through the Vipassana program, it emphasizes even inmates that
Buddhism’s approach to ethics and practices are centred upon the principal beliefs of; the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. By adhering to these guidelines, Buddhists are ensured that they are taking a step closer to escaping Samsara, and attaining the revered state of Nirvana,
Lama starts his chapter with his meaning of compassion. He shares that most “understand it mainly in the terms of empathy- our ability to enter into and, to some extent, share others’ suffering.” (Lama, 538). He describes compassion to be somewhat natural for humans but, must be continuously worked on in order to reach “great compassion” which “causes the one who is compassionate to dedicate themselves entirely to helping others overcome both their suffering and the causes of their suffering.” ( Lama, 538). However, he explains that
In a world of suffering and pain the Dalai Lama said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive”. The Dalai Lama has become a figurehead for Buddhism worldwide for his compassion and warm smiles. Buddhism has extended beyond meditation and even monks such as the Dalai Lama. The basic concepts of compassion and mindfulness in Buddhism are being applied in the daily lives of lay people who need it the most.
In our world, I see many people that lack the ability to show compassion. They can be so selfish when they should be more selfless. Even I admit it, I am selfish sometimes and don't help others when they may need it. For this reason, I believe that compassion should be a human right. Many people will see a person or an animal in distress and think, “I don't need to help them; some other generous person will.” But in most cases, nobody ends up helping the distressed person or animal because every person thinks “it’s not their job to help” or “somebody else will do it.” I believe a right of compassion will make it human nature to help others without second
In Jasmine Syedullah “The Abolition of Whiteness”, she confesses to her readers that “one of the things that had drown me into buddhism was the notion of no self. I was fascinated by the prospect of being Jasmine and not being Jasmine.” (16) Most of the times we suffer so much with trying to find ourselves that we become something else. We lost the feeling of wholeness, the feeling of belonging to our own bodies, and the feeling of happiness. Self compassion can often be misunderstood as not being aware of anything else rather than our own dignities. But the importance of self-compassion is treating ourselves gently instead of being harsh and self-critical to please others expectations for them. It’s common to beat ourselves up for faults big and small. But being kind to yourself is not only providing comfort in the moment, it is also committing, whenever possible, to acknowledging that some things are past our control, we become better at coping with failure and whatever consequences our actions may have caused because we learn to have compassion towards ourselves no matter the
Compassion towards someone or something that an individual has can spread to others and change their perspective and thought process on that specific subject. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, provides a story of a man who
Many of us have often wondered if we have a moral obligation to help others we don’t know. The term moral obligation has multiple meanings but it is often referred as a belief that an act is one prescribed by a person’s principle and set of values. In the reading “The Ethic of Compassion” by the Dalai Lama, the author’s argument is about the importance of cultivating not only love but, also compassion. It is said that in terms of empathy we are able to share others suffering. This is something that just occurs naturally from our own instincts. When we enhance our sensitivity towards others it is believed that we can extend our compassion to the point where an individual feels responsibility towards other people. This causes the person to help
For instance, if one person is despondent other will do anything to make ones pleased. Everyone deserves compassion, and that no one should be the judge to whether the other person actually deserve it or not, but in general, some individual do not always feel the need to extend their compassion to others, in most cases because they do not think the others deserve it, or it’s because some people do not feel as though they are able to afford to help in any way possible. For example, there are people who naturally have sympathy to one another, but in some cases some people just have sympathy for interest. Some people help the needed one for interest to show the world their good actions, but in reality they are people who are just showing their compassion for interest or benefit. Compassion is someone who is willing to help the needless, who is always there for them in the hard times. “However, compassion is defined as the emotional response when perceiving suffering and involves an authentic desire to help alleviate that suffering” (Seppala). The compassion of a human is portrayed through actions, emotions, and most importantly love
The path which one chooses to follow is unique and often idiosyncratic in comparison to those around them. In the novel, Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, the young protagonist quickly separated himself from the path of his brethren in search of his own destiny. Much is similar in Geshe Michael Roach’s Meditation and Jess Row’s For You, where the main characters of both short stories escape their comfort zones in search for answers to their own eternal questions. Throughout the three pieces, it is observed that the characters had trouble finding their paths. With the guidance and wisdom of each person they encountered, the protagonists were able to discover their own destiny, learn from their mistakes, and realize that their questions can be answered with an understanding of love. Through each journey, a common theme arises in the practice of meditation which leads the reader to understand that, regardless of the question, the answer is always love. Through the unconditional appreciation of all things, the questions begin to answer themselves.
Western medicine has recently discovered the powerful affects of meditation, by allowing doctors to treat the body and the mind. In reality, the mind is a very misunderstood and unexplored region of the human existence. Modern science knows more about the composition of the earth than it does about the mechanics of the human brain. Yet, meditation thwarts all notions of modern medicine with its shocking ability to to take obscure visualizations and create physical responses in the body. Mahayana Buddhism, found mainly in the autonomous region of Tibet, has become the main reference and standard for meditation practices in the west. Tibetans have used meditation for centuries as treatment for illness, and now, modern medicine of the western world is just beginning to reap the benefits of this unique and unconventional treatment for a variety of physical and mental ailments. Once a practice reserved strictly for Buddhist monks, meditation has become a worldwide phenomenon. Simply enter “Buddhist meditation” into the any Inter...
Our present way of thinking; our perceptions, desires, feelings, and reactions control how we experience the world. Our minds are the core of our existence, everything we have thought is everything that we are, for everything is mind-made. If we are experiencing suffering, it is because our minds created it, and only our minds have the power of relieving it. Buddhist meditation is the practice of transforming the mind through the cultivation of mindfulness, concentration, detachment, insight, and objectivity. My background in psychology made me interested in discussing the concept of Buddhist mediation due its immense focus on mastering the mind. It has the crucial transformative effect on the mind that leads to new perspectives of oneself,
middle of paper ... ... Furthermore, it is said that the enlightenment the Buddha attained is also “a state of compassion” (Brown). Therefore, compassion is viewed as a means to reach both forms of salvation in Christianity and Buddhism. The concept of sin is present in both religions, but it is regarded differently.
Spiritual empathy is to be able to feel and understand what another person is feeling or trying to communicate. As social workers, we work with clients who are going through a life crisis. A life crisis would be anything that threatens the clients well being. Stress and anxiety can lead to health problems and damaging dysfunctional behaviors. To best serve our clients we have to show spiritual empathy. Spiritual methods of therapy are controversial among workers in the health field including social workers. Many are not comfortable using spiritual interventions. Being spiritually empathetic can help the social worker notice signs of spiritual need. I believe that spiritual empathy is crucial in order to help the client’s needs. In this paper I will go over the importance of spiritual empathy, recognize spiritual needs, and interventions.