Compassion comes from a deep sense of compassion. It is a wish for the good and happiness to others without the intention of receiving something in return.
We are used to considering love as the most important feeling for a person. However, as you grow older, it is easy to find that the feelings of lovers differ from those of the mother, as well as from selfless love, that is, mercy. Although all of this, as usual, is called the same word, scientists believe that these are different feelings.
Neurophysiologists have come to a better understanding of the mechanisms of different types of love. Researchers at Yale University have found some striking neurological differences between romantic love and unselfish love. The latter can also be called mercy.
This love comes from a deep sense of compassion. It is a wish for the good and happiness to others without the intention of receiving something in return.
To yourself or to others?
Compassion activates the reward region of the brain and deactivates the brain centers associated with romantic love.
Romantic love arises when falling in love. Unlike compassion, it activates areas of the brain associated with skill formation and addiction.
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Compassion completely turns off self-centered thinking. That is, a person does not think about how something can influence him.
The areas of the brain associated with this thinking are not just inactive, they are largely disabled. And this was especially true for people involved in meditation.
Love addiction
Another big difference is that charity is not about attraction, while romantic love is addictive. Desire or craving arises. Areas of the brain associated with pleasure are activated. It's like a cocaine addiction.
Such love is akin to addiction, when it is impossible to stop thinking about another person. Romantic love tends to be less durable.
Now that scientists have a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind feelings, we can more clearly separate them.