compersion

A feeling of happiness in response to knowing that someone else is experiencing joy. It is most commonly used in reference to polyamory when one's lover is experiencing happiness in a relationship or sexual encounter with another partner. My sister is polyamorous, and she says she truly feels compersion when she sees her boyfriend with one of his other lovers—but I know I would be totally jealous in that situation. Honestly? I do feel compersion knowing that my boyfriend's other girlfriend satisfies him in ways that I either cannot or am not interested in. I believe that you feel compersion when you see two of your lovers happy together, I just can't fathom that for myself. So it's good that monogamy appeals to me!

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