Unlock Your Empathic Potential: Six Tools for Enhancing Understanding and Connection
Often, I'm asked if I was born with the skills I demonstrate in my presentations and performances. The answer is no.
We have the potential to develop a better memory and enhance our empathic and telepathic abilities. Here are six tools you can use right away to tap into your empathic skills and better understand those around you:
Meditation Practice
To get out of your own head and the constant thoughts, and help you better understand someone else, develop a meditation practice. A clear mind allows for clearer reception of information about others. Start with just five minutes a day of Vipassana meditation, focusing on your breath.
Use All Your Senses
When interacting with someone, engage all your senses. Beyond words, focus on what you hear, see, and intuit. This multi-sensory attention will reveal much more about the person's true feelings and thoughts.
Study Body Language
Much of what people think and feel is conveyed through body language. Learn to recognize tone of voice, micro-expressions, and posture. For example:
Touching the nose
Often signifies disbelief, lying, or rejection.
Rubbing hands
Can indicate worry or excitement, if not due to cold.
Body orientation
A person turning away might be angry or trying to escape, while mirroring your movements suggests a desire to connect.
Acknowledge Emotional Contagion
Feelings can be contagious. Notice if you suddenly feel a knot in your stomach or a surge of excitement when speaking with someone. This can give clues to their emotional state.
Listen Deeply
Practice truly listening without planning your response or thinking about the future. By focusing on the energy behind the words, you'll gain deeper insights into the speaker’s true emotions.
Empathetic Sliding
Imagine stepping out of your body and into the person you’re talking to. See through their eyes and breathe through their breath. This exercise helps you experience their world from their perspective.
