Topic: Social Emotional Learning Lecture –
An Exploration of the Empirical Study of the Science of Compassion and Its Future Prospects

Speaker: Professor Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Emory University, USA
Location: Fuzhi Campus
Date & Time: March 5, 2026 (Thursday), 9:00–12:00

1. Origin and Background of the Research

Professor Lobsang Tenzin Negi was once a student of President Lozang.
Together with Daniel Goleman and Peter Senge, he promoted the Triple Focus Theory, which includes:

Three Core Capacities

• Awareness

• Compassion

• Engagement

Three Levels of Application

• Personal

• Interpersonal

• System

This educational and research initiative has been implemented in 78 countries.
In Taiwan, it is promoted with the support of the Lee Ren Education Foundation.

Guiding Concept:
Six Deep Changes – beginning with adults and influencing the education system.

Curriculum Design:
A complete educational curriculum from early childhood to age 18.

2. The Core Meaning of Compassion

Definition of Compassion:
When seeing the suffering of others, a warm sense of care arises in the heart, together with the motivation to understand and take action to reduce or relieve that suffering.

3. Four Psychological Capacities Related to Compassion

1. Compassion (Karuna)

The motivation to alleviate the suffering of others when encountering their pain.

2. Loving-Kindness (Maitri)

A quality of kindness and care.
Willingness to provide the support others need.
The ability to recognize others’ lack or unmet needs.

3. Sympathy

A concern-centered orientation toward others.

4. Empathy

The ability to understand the feelings of others.
It is the starting point of compassion and arises from neural resonance in the brain.

Three Types of Empathy

1. Emotional Empathy (Sharing)
   Feeling the emotions of others.

2. Cognitive Empathy (Thinking)
   Understanding another persons situation.

3. Motivational Empathy (Caring)
   The willingness to help others.

4. Three Levels of Compassion

1️⃣ The Wish
“I hope you are free from suffering.”

2️⃣ A Stronger Aspiration
“I truly hope you are free from suffering.”

3️⃣ The Level of Action
“What can I do to help you?”

(From goodwill → concern → action)

5. Compassion and Neuroscience Research

Researcher: Richard J. Davidson (2004)

Research Focus: Compassion Meditation

Key Findings

• Meditation produces strong Gamma Waves in the brain.

• It leads to High Neural Synchrony.

Effects

• Improved concentration

• Increased awareness

• Enhanced positive emotions

• Stronger motivation to help others

• Greater efficiency in action

Conclusion:
The more compassion one develops → the more effective one’s actions become → the more positive one’s mindset grows.

6. Effects of Compassion on Physical and Mental Health

1. Body

Compassion practices may help improve or prevent:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Dementia

• Cancer

2. Brain

It can help alleviate:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Occupational burnout

7. Stress and Meditation

Stress leads to:

• Increased Cortisol

• Greater inflammatory responses

Effects of Meditation

• Reduces cortisol levels

• Improves mood

• Enhances awareness

• Increases sensitivity to compassion

• Strengthens the ability to handle challenges

8. Compassion and the Brain

Compassion activates different areas of the brain that:

• Perceive others’ suffering

• Transform emotional responses through meditation

• Recognize positive energy

• Identify ways to support and help others

The process includes:

• Moving through negative emotions

• Not being defeated by them

• Establishing positive neural pathways

• Practicing Mindful Dialogue

9. Compassion Training and Meditation Methods

1. Kindness Moment

Observe compassionate events in daily life.

Example

An elderly man in Brazil rescued a penguin.
He cleaned oil from the penguin’s body.
The penguin later swam 8,000 km every year to visit him again.

Such stories can inspire Mindful Dialogue.

2. Analytical Meditation and Stabilizing Meditation

Two meditation approaches:

Analytical Meditation

• Observing internal emotions and thoughts

Stabilizing Meditation

• Focusing the mind and cultivating calmness

3. Loving-Kindness Image Meditation

Method

• Recall a moment of kindness from your life

• Feel the emotions from that moment

• Re-experience the sense of compassion

Effect

• Generates new insights

• Strengthens compassionate awareness

10. Conclusion

SEE Learning Asia Co-Director Zondura shared an analogy:

A rainy day symbolizes “prosperity through water.”

Meaning

• Water nourishes all living things.

• Water symbolizes compassion.

• Water nurtures the awakening of the Bodhicitta (the altruistic mind of enlightenment).

Therefore:

When compassion arises, life awakens and grows.

Note: These are shared notes from the lecture. Corrections and suggestions are welcome.

Additional Notes

Scientific Evidence (CBCT)
Professor Negi developed Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT).
Research shows that systematic training can change brain structure and function, significantly increasing positive emotions and reducing Compassion Fatigue, which arises from empathy overload.

SEE Learning
Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning – an educational framework integrating social-emotional development with ethical awareness.