In the context of design, empathy helps designers understand users’ experiences, while compassion drives them to actively solve the users’ problems by improving their conditions through thoughtful design. When I began working closely with designers in India, I rapidly came to realise there was a well established (thousands of years old) tradition in the practice of compassion. The practices are both time-tested and also simple. In [[Design Thinking]] we focus our attention on understanding the needs and motivations of our users. We explore our users with just enough depth to be able to create archetypical “[[Artificial Persona]]” of them sufficient to be able to talk about them in meetings. We explore their [[jobs to be done]] in structured frameworks that make it possible to precisely exploit their pain in commercially-viable ways. This process is effective and has lead to an industry-wide improvement in usability. To deepen this empathy in designers, accepting a [[practice of value]] as essential to our design’s viability, we might look deeper into a practice of compassion. ![[Pasted image 20240923150004.png]] two birds sitting on a branch, one eating, one is observing how to catch monkeys in Himachal; nuts in a jar, monkey grabs the nut, won't let go. compassion == honest with myself about what I know about you find the goodness in it; ego is present, ego is finding goodness IQ:EQ:SQ <-> SQ:EQ:IQ compassion:passion:dispassion what happiness can dispassion not give; Shiva - most compassionate; also the destroyer [[karpurgauram]] [[Kabira]] raaga dwesh Craving and aversion to be compassionate you must be yourself Rate of solution changes slower than rate of change of problem = wicked problem Kahil Gabrian; Madman; masks- when wearing a mask we don't open up Compassion requires self to be open; can't work when there is a risk to the individual compassion is a neutral position, not too helpful, not too harmful; this is a difficult position to find Keep up to date on the tech; stay curious, not judgemental attention span is short, life is faster, start small, A practice of compassion centers on heartfelt understanding of humans and the problems they face. Through compassion, opportunities to make an improvement on the world (the fundamental design act) become visible. [[all design problems are Wicked]], [[Wicked problems are the only design problems worth working on.]] As practiced in economic context of Design Thinking, “empathy” is a tool which is used to expose traits in “users” that can be exploited for financial profit. Problems are an opportunity for financial gain. A practice of compassion acknowledges this requirement in the context of all human need in the space of consideration. As Google reminds itself in the [[Ten things we know to be true - Google|Ten things we know to be true]], “Focus on the user and all else will follow.” But how to we achieve that focus? Especially in contexts where our own bias and preconceptions can cloud understanding thoroughly. [[Field Work]] [[Interviewing]] [[all design problems are Wicked]] [[Deep design has deep empathy for humans.]] [[Deep Design respects the full spectrum of human experience.]] [[Empathy vs Compassion]] [[irreducible problems]] [[Wicked problems are the only design problems worth working on.]] [[The universe is stranger than we can imagine]] [[All Utopias are Dystopias]] ## tools and techniques [[mapping Wicked Problems]] ## [[Design Thinking]] ## references in design teams, there are internal challenges, internal challenges are of two types: 01. team dynamics (what happens because of outside factors) > organisational behaviour > societal pressure 02. need for validation (what happens because of inside factors) > pyramid of needs > to be alpha an honest design is inversely proportional to the impact of these parameters in a team. Interestingly, designers are exposed to better life styles and better products, they end up in having high levels of these factors. Two things: 01. Strength to let go (Dispassion called Vairagya in Sanskrit) 02. Understanding of what truly matters (Discrimination called Viveka in Sanskrit (ability to discriminate what is temporary and what is long term)) These two helps in coming out of small goals to bigger goals. Ego is good. Ego wakes us every day and bring us to office, so that we should be financially independent. Ego makes us to take good care of the kids, so that people say his/her kids is so good Ego makes us to work hard Small ego brings misery Big ego brings happiness Big ego cultivates compassion! How can the person who is buying the product i design face an issue? i won't let it happen! How can competitor's team can think of better solution than us? We can't let this happen! All inclusive ego helps us to come out of the internal challenges mentioned above, and helps us to think about users being unbiased. and it results in the designs which they wanted, not designs which we need to solve the internal issues. --- Certainly! Cultivating compassion is a transformative journey that benefits both yourself and those around you. Both Buddhism and Hinduism offer profound practices specifically designed to develop compassion for others. Buddhist Practices 1. Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation • Description: Metta meditation focuses on generating unconditional love and kindness towards oneself and others. • How to Practice: • Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. • Begin by directing kind thoughts to yourself: “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be safe. May I live with ease.” • Gradually extend these wishes to others: • A loved one • A neutral person • Someone you find challenging • All beings everywhere • Benefits: Enhances empathy, reduces negative emotions, and fosters a sense of connectedness. 2. Tonglen Meditation (Giving and Receiving) • Description: A Tibetan Buddhist practice that involves breathing in the suffering of others and breathing out relief and compassion. • How to Practice: • Visualize someone who is suffering. • Inhale, imagining you are taking in their pain. • Exhale, sending them comfort and happiness. • Benefits: Cultivates deep compassion and reduces self-centeredness. 3. Compassion Meditation (Karuna Bhavana) • Description: Focuses on recognizing the suffering of others and wishing for their relief. • How to Practice: • Meditate on the universal nature of suffering. • Generate sincere wishes for others to be free from pain. • Benefits: Strengthens altruistic behavior and emotional resilience. Hindu Practices 1. Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion) • Description: Involves expressing love and devotion towards the Divine, which extends to all living beings. • How to Practice: • Engage in devotional activities like chanting, singing hymns, or prayer. • Serve others selflessly as an offering to the Divine. • Benefits: Breaks down ego barriers and fosters unconditional love and compassion. 2. Karma Yoga (Path of Selfless Action) • Description: Focuses on performing actions without attachment to outcomes, emphasizing service to others. • How to Practice: • Volunteer your time and resources to help those in need. • Perform daily tasks with mindfulness and a spirit of service. • Benefits: Reduces selfishness and promotes empathy and kindness. 3. Ahimsa (Non-Violence) • Description: A fundamental principle advocating non-violence in thought, word, and deed. • How to Practice: • Be mindful of your interactions, avoiding harm to any living being. • Cultivate thoughts of peace and goodwill. • Benefits: Encourages respect for all life and deepens compassionate awareness. Additional Tips for Growing Compassion • Mindfulness Practice: • Regular mindfulness meditation helps increase awareness of your own emotions and enhances empathy towards others. • Study Sacred Texts: • Reading scriptures like the Dhammapada (Buddhism) or the Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism) can provide insights into compassionate living. • Join a Community: • Participating in group meditations or service projects can reinforce your practice and provide support. • Reflective Journaling: • Write about your experiences with compassion, noting challenges and breakthroughs. Conclusion Both Buddhist and Hindu traditions offer valuable practices to help you cultivate compassion. Starting with techniques like Metta meditation or engaging in Karma Yoga can set you on a path toward greater empathy and kindness. Remember, the key is consistent practice and a sincere intention to grow. Over time, these practices can lead to profound personal transformation and a deeper connection with others. --- - a practice of [[practice of compassion]] - a practice of [[practice of value]] - a practice of [[practice of ideas]] - a practice of [[practice of sketching]] - a practice of [[practice of critique]] - a practice of [[practice of launch]]