These two words have been confusing our minds so we thought we would research them in order to use them appropriately next time. According to Answers.com, the dictionary you get from a Google search, Pity is defined as Sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another. I don’t really know if i agree. Let’s research the word Sympathy…
Sympathy is defined as A relationship or an affinity between people or things in which whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other, while Compassion would mean Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it, See synonyms at Pity.
According to this search, these three words mean the same. However, after a long discussion (we were waiting for the our food to be served; the service wasn’t that great) we found ourselves debating on the real meaning of “Pity”, and what was the difference with compassion.
Pity could be defined as a position when we perceive sadness for one’s suffering that doesn’t include us relating to the pain, or willing to do much about it. When we’re exposed to suffering and more than just noticing it, we’re sharing it, feeling sorrow and able to see ourself in the shoes of the person suffering, that is Compassion.
I guess we’re more likely to experience Pity with people we don’t know, or people we do know but whom we’re not really willing to help, whereas Compassion is felt toward family members, close friends or people in a suffering position we have experienced before.
All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.
The Dalai Lama
“Why develop compassion in your life? Well, there are scientific studies that suggest there are physical benefits to practicing compassion — people who practice it produce 100 percent more DHEA, which is a hormone that counteracts the aging process, and 23 percent less cortisol — the “stress hormone.”
But there are other benefits as well, and these are emotional and spiritual. The main benefit is that it helps you to be more happy, and brings others around you to be more happy. If we agree that it is a common aim of each of us to strive to be happy, then compassion is one of the main tools for achieving that happiness. It is therefore of utmost importance that we cultivate compassion in our lives and practice compassion every day.
How do we do that? This guide contains 7 different practices that you can try out and perhaps incorporate into your every day life.”
Happy reading!
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After another talk, we have agreed that when we express Pity, it is not toward the person we see suffering, but more toward the situation this person is experiencing.
As a result, we are expressing pity for the situation and compassion for the individual.
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