James Kirby: Why Compassion Can Change the World

How can you be more compassionate? Don’t miss James Kirby, author of Choose Compassion: Why It Matters and How It Works. In this episode he debunks the myth that compassion is simply a feeling and shows us how compassion is a motivational force with a physiological impact. It can shape our behavior, impact our relationships, and change the world.

Key takeaways:
Difference between empathy and compassion
Why humans evolved to be compassionate
Connections between parenting and compassion
How to bring compassion into your everyday

Show Notes

How can you be more compassionate? James Kirby is a lecturer and a clinical psychologist at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, he's also been a fellow at the Centre for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, but more importantly, he does incredible research in the area of compassion.

“If we choose compassion, we're choosing to try to be helpful to someone, or ourselves. We're choosing to help ourselves in a way that will make things slightly easier.”

James has also recently published a book called Choose Compassion: Why It Matters and How It Works, and in this episode of Into The Magic Shop, he debunks the myth that compassion is simply a feeling and shows us how compassion is a motivational force with a physiological impact, and that it can not only shape our behavior, but it can impact our relationships with others, and ultimately change the world. He also explains how you can bring a little compassion into your everyday life. 

“Nothing is more powerful than when you have helped another person and you're reminded of it. It makes you feel so good. And when you think about those types of feelings, it can add more motivation to your future actions.”

To learn more, download and listen today.

On today’s podcast:

• Difference between empathy and compassion
• Why humans evolved to be compassionate
• Connections between parenting and compassion
• How to bring compassion into your everyday

Links:

• Podcast - Alphabet of the Heart
• Book - Choose Compassion: Why it matters and how it works

What is Into the Magic Shop?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many were overwhelmed with stress, anxiety and depression. While this epidemic of stress has been growing over the past decade, it has been exacerbated by the pandemic and the divisive nature of political discourse. As a result, many people feel disconnected, inauthentic, and unhappy, while questioning the source of their unhappiness when they presumably have “everything”—an absence of compassion, for oneself and others, is often the source of the problem.

Many of us don’t understand the nature of self-compassion nor the power of compassion to improve our lives and alleviate our suffering. By entering the “Magic Shop”, Jim will share his wisdom and introduce a variety of techniques to change the course of one’s life and share his own lessons learned through the exchange of untold stories of his guests. He will interview authors and experts in the fields of philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, spirituality and religion, as well as individuals with unique points of view. He will also engage his listeners by answering their questions and also at times interview listeners who are willing to share their own stories of challenge and hardship.