Compersion

One of the speakers at the biohacking conference reference this word. I found it odd that it’s not in the Merriam Webster’s dictionary. According to this website, compersion is the sympathetic joy we feel for someone else, even when their positive experience does not affect or benefit us. Apparently, other languages have a word for this, but there isn’t an official one in English.

We all know about jealousy and probably have all experienced it from time to time. You hear about something good happening to somebody and you think, darn, why couldn’t that happen to me? Or feeling envy when you feel if you can’t have something, you don’t want anybody else to have it either.

But why has it taken so long for me to hear about this idea of compersion? Perhaps because the origin of this word appears to be in the context of polyamory with individuals experiencing joy as their partners become involved with other people. I’m not going to get caught up in that aspect.

Now that I know this word, it’s time to put it into practice anytime feelings of jealousy or envy kick in. I will practice compersion and say good for you!