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NVC Resources on Empathy

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  1. On Love and Empathy

    On Love and Empathy

    Godfrey Spencer

    Trainer Tips · 5 minutes · 7/28/2010

    Ask the Trainer: Is there any difference between the concept or experience of "love" and that of "empathy?"

  2. CNVC Certified Trainer Miki Kashtan discusses how focusing on connection and care can guide us in expressing honestly and offering empathy.

  3. Somatic-Based Empathy

    Somatic-Based Empathy

    Eric Bowers

    Practice Exercises · 1 - 2 minutes · 12/14/2021

    Use this interactive empathy exercise to track the relationship and shifting of body sensations, feelings and needs as you note them out loud.

  4. Empathy is not suitable for every situation. And may lead to some undesirable feelings. View this single-panel cartoon for a funny example of this.
  5. Empathy For Children

    Empathy For Children

    Mary Mackenzie

    Trainer Tips · 1 - 2 minutes · 2/1/2023

    Trainer Tip: The better you connect with your child’s needs, the more you will defuse the power struggle. If he wants to behave in a way you don't like, start by understanding what's going on with him by making empathic guesses. Doing this out loud can expand your child’s emotional vocabulary and show that his needs matter to you, and build his trust. Once you learn what's going on with him, create a strategy that values both your needs.

  6. Empathic, Powerful Responses To COVID-19 Inequities

    Empathic, Powerful Responses To COVID-19 Inequities

    Roxy Manning

    Articles · 15 - 23 minutes · 6/30/2020

    The existing unequal risks and impacts people of certain race, class and identities face in society is magnified in these strenuous times -- especially with things such as illness, financial well being, discrimination, attacks, and death. As responsive NVC practitioners we can stand in solidarity with those who are differentially impacted. Read on for this, and additional ways to spot common pitfalls of doing so.

  7. Empathy Hurdles

    Empathy Hurdles

    Miki Kashtan

    Articles · 5 - minutes · 11/01/2012

    I want to hear others through the lens of the meaning their actions have for them rather than through the effect their actions have on me. The very root of empathy resides in this fundamental shift. Whenever someone’s actions are at odds with our own needs, most of us, most of the time, do the latter. In that way, we keep our attention on ourselves rather than on the other person. We cannot be in empathy when we are focused on how things affect us. Miki Kashtan poignantly shares about the challenges of empathizing with another when we really don't understand their actions.

  8. Empathic Attuned Listening Practices

    Empathic Attuned Listening Practices

    Kathy Simon

    Video · 15 minutes · 9/25/2024

    Being heard is a core human need. But what if you don't like what the other person is saying: how do you hold onto your awareness of their humanity? Find out in this demonstration from Kathy Simon's course, Connect Across Differences.

  9. Empathy And Privilege In An Interdependent World

    Empathy And Privilege In An Interdependent World

    Miki Kashtan

    Articles · 16 - 24 minutes · 1/29/2023

    Whether privileged or not, its not easy to see the humanity of others in different social locations, especially if their actions have unwanted impacts and have left behind our humanity. Aiming for “both sides hearing each other” empathically, and to focus on effect rather than intent when we have more privilege, may theoretically lead to liberation. Yet, in practice it can reinforce rather than transcend power differences -- unless there's specific ways to focus attention and choice. Here, its important to transform expectations into working with willingness, and within our own terms and timetable.

  10. We can shift from being absorbed and identified with our inner chatter and feelings to being the space of awareness of these things. Observe your breath. Then observe your mind generating thoughts. Next, feel sensations of your body, particularly the difficult ones. Now, connect with the underlying energy of needs. Ask your unconscious mind for universal needs words related to what you now notice, think and feel.

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