I agree that there is a difference between empathy and compassion. I don't agree that compassion is an objective form of empathy. Compassion is empathy plus taking action to alleviate the problem -- I don't call that objective, I call it providing helpful action. I've helped to transform a challenging situation into a coachable moment with my children and clients, which are situations in which I am in the parent/teacher role by arrangement, and the arrangement helps make situations coachable moments. In a peer relationship especially, it takes both of us to transform the situation into a coachable moment -- one of us goes up in becoming coach and the other goes down in becoming student. I've been on both ends during such moments, and it is special and satisfying on both ends. I give the majority credit to the one who becomes coached for being open to it and allowing it. What helps me to see other perspectives is deeper realization that we are one which results in more care and compassion. It also helps for me to be open, not judgmental, listen closely to what the other is saying, and look for ways to be responsive to what is needed.
On Sep 27, 2015 david doane wrote :
I agree that there is a difference between empathy and compassion. I don't agree that compassion is an objective form of empathy. Compassion is empathy plus taking action to alleviate the problem -- I don't call that objective, I call it providing helpful action. I've helped to transform a challenging situation into a coachable moment with my children and clients, which are situations in which I am in the parent/teacher role by arrangement, and the arrangement helps make situations coachable moments. In a peer relationship especially, it takes both of us to transform the situation into a coachable moment -- one of us goes up in becoming coach and the other goes down in becoming student. I've been on both ends during such moments, and it is special and satisfying on both ends. I give the majority credit to the one who becomes coached for being open to it and allowing it. What helps me to see other perspectives is deeper realization that we are one which results in more care and compassion. It also helps for me to be open, not judgmental, listen closely to what the other is saying, and look for ways to be responsive to what is needed.