The Human Experience of Compassionate LoveConceptual Mapping and Data from Selected Studies

Abstract Compassion is a manifestation of love. And love, whatever else it may be, is something that involves choices. Choosing between options is a condition of freedom in finitude. Freedom is required to express fully compassionate love, yet each person's freedom is limited in a variety of ways. There are physical limitations, such as disability or material resource limits. There are emotional limitations as well. Compassion can also be expressed by making space for others to give. Allowing others to give is frequently an undervalued way of being compassionate. Self-reports are limited in a variety of ways and should not be relied on alone to determine whether a person is feeling and expressing compassionate love. Contemplative traditions have developed methods to help people in their religious development and discernment, methods that can aid in exploring and defining motives and thus help in discerning loving, compassionate action.