Empathy is usually seen as part of a bigger sum that leads to compassion. This is straightforward, as in this simple scheme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we go somewhat more profoundly into the origin of the modern use of \u2018empathy\u2019 in the West, we come to the German \u2018Einf\u00fchlung\u2019 as used by Theodor Lipps, a 19th<\/sup> \u2013 early 20th<\/sup> German aesthetic. Lipps referred with this to an act of projecting oneself into, for instance, a painted or verbally described landscape to understand its particular emotional \u2018atmosphere.\u2019 He mainly envisioned an art-related activity. This may also be seen further on in Compassion. [see: \u201cIs Compassion Art?<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Art transcends a purely conceptual description. Its poetry begins where the prose ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept <Compassion><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I write Compassion with a capital-C when subconceptual mental processing is involved. [see: \u201cEssence of Compassion<\/a>\u201d] It makes a fundamental difference, bringing Compassion in the realm of the Eastern concept of <Enlightenment>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is also according to much of the most modern neurocognitive science. [see: \u201cThe Post-Postmodernist Brain<\/a>\u201d] [see: \u201cFrom Neurons to Neuronal Networks<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, it brings Compassion in close relationship to art, a subconceptual domain par excellence. [see: \u201cAbout \u2018Subconceptual\u2019<\/a>\u201d] There is no coincidence in this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, in the above scheme, there is no explicit \u2013 nor implicit, basically \u2013 mention of anything subconceptual. Therefore, one may see compassion and Compassion as two substantially different concepts. There are huge implications to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In-depth, Compassion can go very far.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Without depth, it is a \u2018friendly stance,\u2019 but hardly powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrary to this, big-c-Compassion is necessary to make this world a better place. [see: \u201cOnly Compassion Works<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Challenges of non-depth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One challenge lies in altruism. Recommendable and highly worthwhile as it is, it is not the same as Compassion. The difference is in-depth. This can make an altruistic person pretty vulnerable as well as ineffective in the end. [see: \u201cAltruism \u2013 Compassion<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any altruistic person who gets the appropriate insight may happily want to grow towards Compassion and spend much effort doing so. [see: \u201cNo Compassion without Growth<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Challenges in what will not be reached without in-depth Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These are related to not taking into account most of the inner mental universe in many domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [see: \u201cThe Responsibility of Mind-Science<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [see: \u201cImagine: an AURELIS Future<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Implications to developing Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a matter of fact, developing Compassion is much less straightforward than developing empathy, with or without action orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This should not be seen as a deterrent but as further motivation. However, indeed, going from compassion to Compassion, there is a very long path. [see: \u201cPracticing Compassion<\/a>\u201d] Never mind any denigration of those who do not see this. Their path is way much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Towards sustainable Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, in the West at least, attention for Compassion waxes and wanes. At present, possibly also due to COVID issues, it gets more attention than a few years ago. It would be interesting to keep this attention for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I fear that with little-c-compassion, not enough power will be reached to make this come true. Interest may wax for a while, but it will wane again, with absolute certainty, if we don’t grow towards Compassion. That is very much a pity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We direly need in-depth Compassion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the only viable antidote against rampant inner dissociation. [see: “Compassion: Relief of Dissociation<\/a>“]<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this sense, of course, it is also what AURELIS is about. [see: \u201cWhat AURELIS is About<\/a>\u201d]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/aurelis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/compass-table.jpg?resize=432%2C116&ssl=1\")
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