Video transcripts and more at:http://cultureofempathy.com/References/Experts/others/Leah-Weiss-Ekstrom.htm
2012-06-28
The Center for Building a Culture of Empathy
http://cultureofempathy.com
Building the Empathy Movement. A portal for empathy- and compassion-related resources: art, articles, definitions, conferences, experts, history, interviews, newsletter, science, videos, etc. For more on empathy, visit our website. This is part of a larger documentary project by Edwin Rutsch on the nature of empathy. We hope you’ll connect and get involved in Building a Culture of Empathy.
Leah Wiess is a very interesting person. Director of Compassion? Love it. I think the Tibetian tradition can teach us a lot, it’s not just western thinking but a broader perspective. Contemplative practice, nice term/concept. Yes, being in touch with one’s own feelings can be transformative, great way to characterize this Edwin! Does this woman do personal counseling? I think I could come to a lot of insights in my life by talking through things with her.
Empathy and compassion are trainable. Could mirror neurons be manipulated by science to enhance compassion? Compassion and empathy are slightly different terms. I see compassion as a more intellectual function, a higher level brain think. Then there is also the difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy is seen as closer to thought and sympathy as a non-reasoning feeling type of thing. What are your thoughts on this Edwin?
Another great question brought out by the video is, “How is altruistic action originating?” The concept of engaging in our own suffering and then relating to others, that is the most powerful I think. Bottom line, there appears to be empathy on a thinking level and on a deep feeling level. My guess is the most powerful and effective kind of empathy is a process involving thought and feeling integrated at an extremely high level. The concept of engaging with suffering is profound.
Creating dialogues Edwin, that is your brilliant strategy.