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To teach empathy, you simply teach listening

November 21, 2010

Listening without judgement is really hard.  We make split second judgements about what we agree and disagree with about the person speaking.  Our brains index information and to file it, it needs labeled.  Judging is a natural and normal response so we can file away details, opinions and information for further use.

Listening is to witness another while suspending ourselves. When we really give people this, it allows us to access a place within us.  A place the recognizes and connects with the speaker.  This is empathy.

….How do you teach empathy?  You teach listening.

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