Contributed by Shridhar N Upadhye(EGMP 24)
In today’s modern society, we see all our lives have become very mechanical, less humane and largely selfish. Somewhere in the race of modernisation, we have lost empathy and there is no value for care, compassion, love, relations or family values. Empathy is kind of a superpower and it’s something that we can easily cultivate & practice.
Here, we’re going to explore empathy: what is empathy, how it works & mainly why it’s so important. Also we will look at some ways you can start building more empathy in our lives. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the power of empathy and how you can change the world.
We normally find the Empathy Defined as Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Empathy is putting yourself in someone else’s place and seeing the world from their perspective. We have often observed that empathy is confused with sympathy. But, please note that there’s a difference between the two.
Typically sympathy is feeling bad for someone else because of their circumstances. Whereas empathy is feeling with someone else—it’s an emotional connection.
Broadly empathy is of three Types. Cognitive, Emotional, and Somatic.
Cognitive empathy: It’s the ability to understand another person’s perspective. It’s being able to see things from their point of view.
Emotional empathy: It’s the ability to feel another person’s emotions. When you’re emotionally empathetic, you can feel the other person’s feelings like joy, pain, love, fear, etc.
Somatic empathy: It’s the ability to feel another person’s physical conditions / sensations. This type of empathy is normally seen in medical professionals who can sense what might be wrong with a patient just by looking at them or touching them lightly.
In today’s virtual world, while all of us are losing human values- we are becoming very lonely and mechanical. Families are becoming more & more nucleus. Even closest relations and interactions have become transactional.
Please find below some of the benefits of empathy.
Empathy helps in connecting to Others:
One of the most critical benefits of empathy is that it helps us connect with others. When we feel empathy for someone, we feel connected to them—we see them as fellow human beings with hopes, dreams, and fears, just like us. And this connection can be the foundation for relationships built on trust and understanding.
Empathy helps in Reducing Conflict:
When we empathize with someone, we’re able to see things from their perspective. And this can help us resolve conflicts in a more peaceful way. Instead of seeing the other person as an adversary, we see them as a fellow human being who is worthy of our understanding and respect.
1)Empathy Builds much Stronger Relationships:
Empathy is the foundation for strong relationships—whether they’re relationships between friends, family members, or colleagues. When we empathize with others, we develop a deeper understanding of them. And this understanding leads to trust, respect, and communication—all key ingredients for strong relationships.
2)How to Make the World a Better Place With Empathy:
Let’s Listen With Your Whole Body: One way to practice empathy is to really pay attention when someone else is speaking. Listen with your whole body—not just your ears, but your eyes and your heart as well. Try to imagine what it would be like to walk in their shoes and see the world through their eyes. This type of active listening will help you develop a deeper understanding of the other person and build more meaningful connections with them.
3)Let’s Make an Effort to Understand Others:
Another way to practice empathy is to make an effort to understand others, even if you don’t agree with them. Try to see things from their perspective and look for common ground between you. This doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them—but it does mean that you should respect their point of view and try to understand where they’re coming from.
Let’s try to be Kind: One simple way to make the world a better place with empathy is to be kinder to others—both in your words and actions. Showing kindness and compassion will not only make the world a better place but also make you feel good too
Conclusion:
In conclusion, We must realize that empathy is a superpower that we all have access to. It has the ability to help us connect with others, reduce conflict, and build stronger relationships, stronger communities and society at large. Also, it also has the potential to make the world a better place when it’s used mindfully