The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person, then naturally, empathy arises. If you tune into the other person, you feel with them. If empathy arises, and if that person is in dire need, then empathic concern can come. You want to help them, and then that begins a compassionate act. So I'd say that compassion begins with attention.
Daniel GolemanOur passions, when well exercised, have wisdom; they guide our thinking, our values, our survival.
Daniel GolemanThe emotional brain is highly attuned to symbolic meanings and to the mode Freud called the 'primary process' - the messages of metaphor, story, myth, the arts.
Daniel GolemanEmotional self-control-- delaying gratification and stifling impulsiveness- underlies accomplishment of every sort
Daniel Goleman