How is pity different from compassion?

Feelings of pity and compassion are largely similar, but there are significant differences between them, it is important to understand what exactly they are.

Compassion means the ability to empathize, to understand the feelings of other people, happening in their souls. Pity has a destructive effect on the soul of the one to whom it is directed. Compassion towards other people is the ability to accurately determine their emotional state. The ability, regardless of circumstances, to act so as not to harm others. A person who causes pity signs in his own weakness and some “inferiority”, his suffering is ascertained from a certain distance. This feeling is accompanied by destructive energy, shows the inability of another to overcome a difficult situation on his own, recognition of his sacrificial position.

Compassion is considered a special quality, a willingness without hesitation to provide help, to express in this way inner love for one's neighbor, to feel and accept his pain. A compassionate person is attentive and sensitive to those who are close, respects their interests and experiences. The essence of sympathy is not to increase material wealth, but to purify consciousness of adherence to them. I sympathize, it means I have compassion, I want to save another from a painful, unenviable fate. The object of compassion is the suffering creatures, its aspect is the desire to rid them of torment.

There is an admixture of superiority in pity. The one who causes it is perceived as a failure. Do not feel sorry for someone - this feeling is destructive.Arrogance arises from him, it has a destructive effect both on that which pities and on the one who causes it.

At first glance, it may seem that pity and compassion are identical concepts, they are really similar. Both one and the other feeling express concern for others. And although their emotional subtext is different, but the similarity is definitely present. Pity with compassion indicate the presence of sadness. They are characterized by sadness. These feelings demonstrate human values, they are both necessary. Humanity depends on them.

What is the difference between pity and compassion?

• First of all, by the fact that there is power in compassion, but in the second feeling it is absent.
• A compassionate person is always ready to be near, even if nothing can help. Even one presence is an indication that the situation, no matter how difficult it may seem, can be endured. When there is a reliable shoulder, there is certainly a way out. It is healing even in situations that seem hopeless. Suppose a person is on the verge of death. The situation is clear - salvation is not expected, but the one who has compassion for him will still not leave. The demonstration of love has a healing effect on the soul.
• Pity is a powerless, sticky and muddy feeling. Compassion is characterized by activity and wisdom. It always seeks a balance between accepting, letting go, and taking action. Many areas of Buddhism, for example, prescribe the development of certain qualities in themselves. This religion proceeds from the fact that each person initially has a lot. You can become a victim of circumstances, or you can successfully deal with them. The main thing is to make the right choice.
• Pity does not contain sympathy, but it is present in compassion, prompting to help another in overcoming his suffering.
• The key difference between these feelings is that one is destructive and the other is creative.
• Pity is exclusively unfortunately, and compassion is aimed at helping to overcome unforeseen circumstances.
• Another important difference is a sense of condescension. It always follows pity. But his compassion is deprived, the other person is perceived at the same level, no lower.
• Pity is characterized by isolation, and compassion by integrity.
• People who feel sorry do not get anything good from it, continue to be victims. Nobody benefits from such an attitude. Being poor and unhappy is the road to nowhere.
• Pitying someone, a person plunges him even deeper into darkness and misery. Such behavior is a kind of message of the image of inferiority. People who are pitied, get used to being weak, can remain inactive for a long time. Often, decisive measures must be taken to overcome bad circumstances. But why do this if it is easier to be poor and unhappy.
• Self-pity people joyfully share their burden with others - this is an effective way to shift responsibility for their own actions and deeds, require understanding and attention.
• A distinctive feature of compassion lies in the fact that it comes from the depths of the soul. This feeling makes it possible to look at others without a shudder and tenderness, always keep calm.
• True compassion is not an emotional experience, caring for oneself loved - it is the perception of the suffering of others on a spiritual level, their acceptance as they are. Compassion, you can reassure the suffering person, take on his pain. Empathy means to be in the place of someone who has to suffer.
• To regret is to realize that a person is in trouble, but at the same time feel relieved that this did not happen to you.
• Compassion is inherent in activity, it pushes to search for ways that can reduce suffering - not just to console and pretend that “everything is fine,” when in reality this is not so, but to find a way out of the circumstances.
• A compassionate person does not separate himself from the world around him, he feels absolute equality in front of everything. Compassion is a higher feeling, it stimulates the escape from suffering, and their pity only increases.