Originally, I had contacted Kathy McGuire to have a conversation with her on the topic of empathy. As we talked about what this might entail, we decided to practice what we preach: We did not rush into doing the interview, and we took time to process what we wanted to accomplish through this project. As a result, the project evolved into a series of short videos illustrating various kinds of listening and empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We structured this demo into a sequence of videos. Through them, we would like you to notice that:
\n– 1) Even simple listening, \u201cpassive listening\u201d without interruptions, allow speakers to naturally begin entering into direct reference to felt experience and explication from there.
\n– 2) Active empathic listening takes this natural felt sensing a step further, as the speaker checks the listeners words against their felt reference and articulates anew.
\n– 3) When the speaker knows Focusing, then empathic listening helps the Focuser stay with, check, resonate and articulate their felt sense in the deepest way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In watching the videos, please pay attention to the central role of the pause: <\/em> Notice how taking a pause<\/em> opens up direct access to felt experience. In this context, felt sensing is the natural outcome of the pause<\/em>. As is empathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Video 1: Passive listening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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