Compassion, COMPASSion and ComPASSION

Compassion, COMPASSion and ComPASSION

I had an insightful conversation with a friend who explained to me why compassion was an important value for him and essential in his journey of living a meaningful life. He pointed out that the first part of the word “compassion” is compass. So I took a closer look at the word and realized that there are actually two words embedded in it. The other is passion. Which lead to an epiphany:

Compassion is at the heart of setting a meaningful personal direction and pursuing it energetically.

I checked the definition of “compassion” at dictionary.com and found what I consider a rather narrow  definition:

A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Other sources defined it as:

1. The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.
2. Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.
3. A disposition to be kind and forgiving.

On ucadia.com I found a broader discussion of the word, including:

It is an emotion bursting with contradictions – of crying and laughing, hurting and healing, receiving and giving.

Compassion . . . is a quality that brings people together. It is in effect “divine respect.”

In my mind, all of these seem to be missing a broader and more compelling meaning – one that reflects the way the word “compassion” seems to be used today, which also may better reflect its origins. The word has two parts:

Com – meaning together or in association with; and

Passion – meaning a powerful feeling or emotion such as love, enthusiasm, or a desire for something, including to intensely embrace, aid, solve, improve, drive or advance.

I noticed that when I broke the word “compassion” down into its component parts, it took on a greater and more robust meaning. It was much more than benevolence and sympathy, words that can be used to define it. Compassion can also include positive, optimistic feelings. It can describe an excitement and fervor for realizing possibilities. The “passion” part implies direction, as well, especially when we consider that passion can be focused on achieving a worthy goal. And the “com” prefix implies a sense of oneness with others, a moving together in common cause to pursue objectives.

With all this in mind, I now have a much greater appreciation and deeper understanding of compassion.

The word “compass” may not be a part of its etymology; however, the idea of establishing direction fits well with the broader essence of the concept – one of having strong feelings and a sense of togetherness, coupled with direction and action.

Where is your compassion taking you?

Steve Weitzenkorn

Steve Weitzenkorn, Ph.D., is a learning innovator, organizational advisor, experienced facilitator, and lead author of Find-Fulfill-Flourish: Discover Your Purpose with LifePath GPS – a book, tool kit, and workshop series focused on guiding people toward more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Copyright © 2010 F3 Forum, LLC. All rights reserved.