This is a masterclass in empathy. Enrique Martin lays out path to being empathetic, and makes a clear distinction between sympathy, empathy, and compassion. Enrique has such a wonderful way of sharing the immense knowledge he’s gathered along his journey and I am very grateful for his patience and empathy towards me every time we gather.
In this episode, Enrique answers the following questions:
- What is empathy?
- How is empathy different from sympathy and compassion?
- What are some behaviors of empathy?
- How to show empathy with someone?
- What is the impact of being empathetic?
Enrique shares his definition of true empathy is when we can sit with total respect of the other person, without judgement, acknowledging that they are a legitimate person who is creative, resourceful, and whole, and feel with them.
He pulls apart the differences between empathy and pity or sympathy, saying that pity and sympathy carries with them a judgment of being superior over the target of these emotions.
And Enrique shares the journey to being more empathetic with others starts with being more empathetic towards ourselves. As he says, “to be able to sit with ourself, with total respect for ourselves and not being judgmental, and acknowledge that we are a legitimate person.”
If you have not ever done that, try it. What a gift that feeling is when we’ve done that. And what a gift Enrique is sharing with us in this episode.
Books the Enrique references in the episode:
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Music in this episode created by Ian Kastner.
"What Do You Know To Be True?" is a series of conversations where I speak with interesting people about their special talent or superhero power and the meaningful impact it has on others. The intention is to learn more about their experience with their superhero power, and in doing so a maybe learn something about the special talent in each of us that makes us unique. For more info, go to https://WhatDoYouKnowToBeTrue.com
"What Do You Know To Be True?" is hosted by Roger Kastner, is a production of Three Blue Pens, and is recorded on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish and Suquamish people. To discover the ancestral lands of the indigenous people whose land you may be on, go to: https://native-land.ca/