Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another as if they were our own. Simply put, it means “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes,” or “seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.” It is a quality that can help us develop true understanding, promote a sense of trust and create more harmonious relationships in our lives.
But for all its benefits, empathy often goes out the window just when we need it most. Why is this? Despite enjoying the best connectivity humans have ever had, we are more isolated than ever, anonymous to each other if you will. Most of us meet irregularly, often in online spaces with a cursory exchange of messages or voice notes. This prevents us from truly connecting with others and appreciating their perspective and feelings.
This is where meditation comes in; it can serve as a powerful tool for nurturing feelings of empathy.
Meditation gives us the skills to actively witness our thoughts and emotions as they arise. As we become more emotionally aware of ourselves and our habitual responses, we are better able to respond to similar emotions and motivations in others.
During the practice we are repeatedly urged to observe our thoughts and emotions without any judgment. Training our minds in this way gives us the ability to approach an issue or discussion without inherent biases. This freedom of judgment and critical assessment offers us a unique opportunity to see things from someone else’s perspective. In turn, we are able to truly connect with others and empathize with them in their trials and tribulations.
Due to our busy lives, it is very common for us to feel bogged down and anxious by the many demands and obligations placed on our time.. StThese can make us tense and hinder our ability to see things clearly. Meditation has been proven to induce a ‘relaxation response’ from our parasympathetic nervous system, which offsets the effects of stress. When we feel calm, balanced, and centered, we can be more patient and tolerant of others and respond to their needs with sensitivity.
A follow-up to this could be: is there a specific type of meditation that can help us cultivate empathy?
While all forms of meditation are good, a few practices stand out because they offer a more direct route. Namely metta (the Buddhist practice of loving-kindness meditation) and contemplative practices.
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