The ability to recognize suffering, understand the universality of human suffering, empathize with the person suffering, tolerate uncomfortable feelings, and act to alleviate suffering.(65) Many researchers see compassion as having a deep evolutionary purpose. Research has shown that when we feel compassion (or the desire to help or support), our brain releases oxytocin “the bonding hormone” that activates the areas of our brain that are responsible for empathy and caregiving.(66)
