Are Empathy & Compassion The Same?

Compassion

Let's think of compassion as kindness without judgement.

It comes from the heart as supportive understanding for a person's feelings, emotions, or actions.

We don't try to provide answers but share a gentle grounding while the person steadies themselves.

It may be as simple as a few words and, if appropriate, a gentle hug. Words such as "I'm here if you want to talk," provides a safe space when needed.

Kindness without judgement is powerful.

And we, too, will find compassion with ourselves a powerful step toward self-healing.

Is it the same as empathy?

Empathy

They are similar in that both compassion and empathy are heart-based.

Compassion is usually part of empathy, but they differ in one characteristic.

The empath experiences the other person's actual feelings and emotions as though they were their own; as though they themselves had the experience.

Although we always want love and support active for ourselves and others, it is healthy to release any energy within us that belongs to another.

Releasing Another's Energy

Here is a simple practice for an empath to use on a regular basis:

• Visualize white light above your head

• It enters through the top of head and flows down the inside of your physical body, leaving from the bottom of feet into the ground

• Set your loving intent that it flushes away any energy, feelings, emotions that are not yours

• A gentle closing is sending love and healing to any who need it