The Application of Compassion in the Counseling Process as a Tool

Abstract

Compassion, in Pali or Sanskrit, is known as 'Karuna'. This has come under the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism. In Buddhist teachings Karuna is considered as one of the Four Sublime Truths and Buddha has implemented the importance of practicing Karuna. Besides, Karuna is considered as one of the four reflections of universal friendship under Jainism, which can stop the influx of Karma. This research is analytic. It has been used the secondary data collection methods such as e-books and journal information. Although both Buddhism and Jainism have taken Karuna as a religious practice, this can be elaborated as a successful way of dealing with people in daily life, and also the main concern of this topic is to explicate how does this concept 'compassion' can be taken to do a successful counseling session in psychological means. Counseling is a professional relationship that builds between the client and the counselor to guide and resolve the personal or psychological problem. Compassion can help the counselor to show empathy, gentleness, kindness, and to understand the client's problem. Even many psychologists have explained the importance of compassion, not in terms of Karuna, but as a way of doing a successful counseling session.