What if compassion has always been with us—quietly guiding humanity through every age?

In this video essay, I take you on a journey through time, exploring how compassion, kindness, and helpfulness have been understood and expressed by some of the world’s most influential thinkers, spiritual teachers, psychologists, and storytellers.

From Aristotle and Confucius to Julian of Norwich and the Dalai Lama…

From Viktor Frankl and Paul Gilbert to the unexpected wisdom of Paddington Bear…

I’ve tried to weave a thread through it all—a thread of compassion that runs right through history and into our everyday lives.

Whether you’re curious about philosophy, psychology, or just trying to live with a little more heart, I hope this gives you something meaningful to take with you.

Thanks so much for watching.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Compassion

00:51 Ancient Philosophies on Compassion

02:14 Compassion in Sacred Stories

04:23 Enlightenment and Modern Perspectives

08:04 Compassion in Literature and Media

10:11 Conclusion: The Ever-Present Thread of Compassion

If you would like to learn more about compassion focused therapy, you can find Dr Stan Steindl's book The Gifts of Compassion here:

https://www.ausapress.com/p/the-gifts-of-compassion-how-to-understand-and-overcome-suffering/

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