#Generosity

A new study has revealed that mindfulness – a practice often praised for its personal and societal benefits – does not universally increase generosity, but instead, its positive effects are most pronounced among individuals who are more group-oriented. This finding, recently published and reported by PsyPost, challenges the widespread assumption that mindfulness always leads to greater kindness and altruism.

Mindfulness, widely promoted in Thai schools, workplaces, and temples, has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, with advocates claiming it can make people calmer, healthier, and more compassionate. In Thailand, this practice aligns closely with Buddhist traditions, where mindfulness meditation is viewed not only as a path to personal enlightenment but also as a means to support social harmony. However, the latest study suggests that the prosocial effects of mindfulness, such as generosity, may depend more on the underlying personality traits or social orientations of individuals than previously thought.

A groundbreaking international study has pinpointed a specific region in the brain responsible for deciding how generous we are with friends versus strangers. Researchers from Germany and South Africa have discovered that damage to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) sharply reduces our willingness to share with anyone outside our closest social circle—while generosity toward close friends stays intact. The findings, published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer intriguing new insights into the biological roots of kindness and selfishness, and may have implications for understanding social disorders.

In times of stress and uncertainty, a rising tide of evidence is showing that the simple act of helping others—through volunteering—can be a powerful medicine for one’s own mental health. Recent research and expert commentary highlight that those who dedicate time to volunteering not only improve their communities but also experience significant personal benefits, including lower rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, as well as greater feelings of happiness and life satisfaction. With Mental Health Month recently observed, this growing body of research encourages Thais to look beyond traditional forms of self-care and discover how giving back is, in essence, giving to oneself.