Selfless Part 1: Do Yourself a Kindness - Roundtable

This Roundtable explores issues arising from the podcast 'Do Yourself A Kindness' which is about the benefits of compassion (this is the first of four podcasts in the 'Self-Less Series'). We begin with the fact that compassion not only does not fatigue us, but rejuvenates us. We explore the complexities of not slipping into empathic distress when supervising others who are distressed. We also look at some implications of compassion being hard-wired in us and how it is an antidote to another hard-wired dimension of our nature, self-interest. Finally, we explore the problem of appearing to be detached when we shift from over-empathising in order to enagage in possibilites beyond the problem at hand. This was discussed in terms of the 'empathy coninuum', a fluid process that helps us shift to compassionate action without beign experienced as being 'cold'. The art of this requires mindfulness, particularly in noticing what the person needs as we actively engage with them.