A Framework for Developing an Inclusive Compassionate Identity

Abstract Neural researchers suggest the words empathy and compassion are no longer synonyms. They define empathy as the capacity to feel with others and compassion as the ability to feel with someone, wish them well, and the motivation to help. Due to the active nature of compassion, wishing well and the motivation to help, researchers have found those expressions to activate the reward network and the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter and hormone. Dopamine results in a sense of pleasure, which helps people remain more positive especially therapists when working in the area of trauma. In comparison, empathy elicited activity in different regions of the brain that resulted in stressful neural responses now labeled empathy distress Following an overview of research differentiating empathy and compassion, I discuss five areas of a possible framework for developing an inclusive, compassionate perspective. Inclusive is used to emphasize that compassion can be involved in one’s interactions with all persons. The five areas include the development of (a) an inner awareness and individual identity, (b) the reciprocal impact of high vagal tone and resiliency, (c) connections and identity with similar persons, (d) connections and identities with diverse communities, and (e) potential roles for a person with an inclusive, compassionate perspective. While it is challenging to change one’s conceptualization of empathy after years of training and use, I hope this paper begins discussions on how to incorporate compassion into the work of music therapists.