The end of empathy?

This was an article that was shared in my NVC (non-violent communication) group.  I found it fascinating and wanted to share it with you to consider, do I do this?

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/712276022/the-end-of-empathy 

So, we know that to be empathetic, the higher parts of our brain need to be online.  What takes us off?  Research has found that when we are in fear, anger, anxiety, overwhelm, judgment, etc, we don’t have access to this part of our brain.  This is human  physiology.

At some level our nervous system/brain is perceiving what is in front of us as a threat.  The body responds to this interpretation, and turns the stress response on.  We need to know how to turn it off intentionally and consciously.   I have been doing this work and helping others to do this for years.

The article speaks of all of this, and postulates that we only have empathy for our tribe, those like us.  So, the question to you, to me, to the world at large, is….”is this true of me”.

We can only monitor and change ourselves.  It is a choice to open our hearts to those who are not in our tribe.  Can you image how different the culture of business could be?  What about the world and the tribal wars we see all around us these days?

Finding empathy/compassion for each other shifts conversations, relationships and truly allows more vitality in your own physiology and the groups physiology!