Benefits 4
Participant Testimonials of Taking Part
in an Empathy Circle.
Bridging Divides Empathy Circle Feedback: Lincoln Memorial Confrontation
(VIEW: Video on YouTube and on Facebook)
What I appreciated about this process, I saw people really listening to each other, even thought they might have had a different viewpoint.
What I appreciated about this process, I saw people really listening to each other, even thought they might have had a different viewpoint. I place a very, very high value on being able to listen to view points that are different from my own. I'm thinking here, "It's not that hard, we can teach this."
I Wish... for maybe a narrowing of an issue. A little bit more targeting an actual issue, like, I had a conversation with my conservative sister-in-law about school busing and her experiences in the south as a school teacher. Things that get a little more specific about an issue and where we come more from our personal experience if possible.
I love the inspiration that I get from watching people really listen to each other and trying very hard to reflect each other back and understand the meaning of what people are saying.
I love the inspiration that I get from watching people really listen to each other and trying very hard to reflect each other back and understand the meaning of what people are saying. That is very inspiring to me and it's very beautiful. It is a certain kind of beauty watching people trying to connect way and it is very moving to me and it gives me a lot of hope for the world and our future.
I Wish... more diversity in the perspectives of the people who are participating.
I love this process, it is very simple and it's a natural process. It does feel very natural and easy and one that can be used in daily life I think.
I love this process, it is very simple and it's a natural process. It does feel very natural and easy and one that can be used in daily life I think. I know where I could use this in different ways, even one on one.
I'm grateful for David to have joined us and to give give another viewpoint, because most of us in our group we probably all kind of agree with one another pretty much, in our own ways. So David I just want to say I am so grateful for you to be part of the group. My own view was challenged and expanded by you and we fortunate to have you. That is my wish for the future that we have more diversity and if we can thing of ways to call in other people and say, "Come join us". I'd love that more diversity.
I was a little annoyed because I was the only right wing person and yet with the rotation I got skipped a couple of times. I would like to suggest a structured rotation policy, because empathy like to associate empathy with easy, but it is not. I think if it is easier your not doing it right. I people naturally shyed, they were interested in what I said, they naturally kind of shyed away from me. And I think it showed in our last session. So I'd like to recommend we have a more static rotation policy.
As far as the lack of right wing people in here that's kind of up to me as well cause I guess you guys don't have my friend pool. My opinions are kind of unique for right wing actually. I'm my own person. I will be more diligent for tossing this idea to other people in my political affliction to join these things because a lot of them already have a negative outlook on empathy on how it has been adertsed by the left.
I Like... I enjoyed hearing peoples perspectives and in the future I would wish for more variety of opinions and backgrounds and a better internet connection.
In the future I would like to practice more and more and one day to facilitate an empathy dialogue here in Poland.
It was challenging because of my language skills. I am not a native speaker in English, so it was difficult.
What I miss is the right wing point of view on the issue we were discussing. In our subgroup there we were mostly left or liberal, centrist point of view. So I miss very much the right wing perspective on the event we were discussing.
In the future I would like to practice more and more and one day to facilitate an empathy dialogue here in Poland.
I am seeing through this experience, that listening and being able to reflect back another person's point of view accurately is a skill that I need some work on. I am really enthusiastic about embracing that and developing that skill.
I really enjoyed this process. I believe that issues that surround us or that confront us each day is our lack of ability to communicate authentically. Which I place a high value on. But I am seeing through this experience, that listening and being able to reflect back another persons point of view accurately is a skill that I need some work on and I am really enthusiastic about embracing that and developing that skill.
I realize that I don't have it even though I consider myself a good listener and a really good bull shit detector and everything else. Just the ability to not only communicate authentically but to listen authentically is the other side of the coin and I'm thrilled, I'm really thrilled to have been a part of this.
I Wish for the future more of this. So my wish not only do we learn as people, and I realize it starts with one person at a time, learn to communicate with emotional intelligence and authenticity, but also start acquiring this skill too. To be able to genuinely listen and reflect back anther persons point of view. I think it is huge in developing a more healthy sustainable future.
I would love to know what happened if I did this with my girlfriend who I talk to about one a week? ... I think she would really like it, this is just a normal thing I would like to try the out. It does take concentration, also it would be such a rich, and enriching listening experience.
What I would hope for the future is for me to keep doing this. And to get a days notice on what we will talk about.
I Like... that quality of moving toward our common humanity. When we have this time and this space, which takes a lot of work, and slowing we really get to know each other. And there is a sense of connection and understanding, and it just feels really good.
I Wish... for more variety of people. I like the energy that comes up from those different perspectives.
I like the focus empathic listening brings to the table, because you're not worried about calculating your views, one can connect with a new kind of freedom and creativity that's only possible through experiences outside of yourself.
― Zak Wear
I like the focus empathic listening brings to the table, because you're not worried about calculating your views, one can connect with a new kind of freedom and creativity that's only possible through experiences outside of yourself. This is very different from, "active listening" and it felt like a good first experience with empathy circle process.
I wish, as others, there were more diverse views included in the circle. Empathic dialogue is desired by people regardless of ideological background and I benefited from hearing directly from conservatives and liberals.
― Zak Wear
Bridging Divides Empathy Circle Benefits: Climate Change
(VIEW: Video on YouTube and on Facebook
Super excited to do an empathy circle
on this topic.
Super excited to do an empathy circle on this topic. To feel connected and to hear other's activism, actions and hopes on climate change from around the world.
Wish we could have regular EC on that topic.
I enjoyed the conversation, lots of insights came up. I found it supportive and connecting. I'm feeling hopeful.
Like: "I enjoyed the conversation, lots of insights came up. I found it supportive and connecting. I'm feeling hopeful."
Wish: "I'd want more variety in the opinions, with more extreme positions. + continuing the dialogue on this topic, the social actions that's happening in Canada and in Germany, and co-designing a tool kit/a process to keep the conversation going."
I've done empathy circles for a while now, and the experience of sharing intimate feelings with strangers is very common in those circles.
"I've done empathy circles for a while now, and the experience of sharing intimate feelings with strangers is very common in those circles. I think it speaks to the power of the circles and the process. I'm very appreciative of it".
I really felt comfortable to opening up with the people in my group. I opened up in a way that I rarely do with people.
― Hal
"It was my first empathy circle, and I really enjoyed the experience. I really felt comfortable to opening up with the people in my group. I opened up in a way that I rarely do with people. I appreciated listening to the people in the group.
I enjoyed hearing other perspectives. "
― Hal
I really liked the way the conversation unfolded and how everyone build on each other. I felt a sense of deepening in a way.
"I really liked the way the conversation unfolded and how everyone build on each other. I felt a sense of deepening in a way."
Wish "I'm aware that the structure doesn't touch on emotional depth and I'm thinking about how to bring more emotional depth".
The biggest impact for me, it really helped me expand on my own thoughts about climate change and what action need to be done.
― Ali Amad
"It was a very interesting experience. These are topics I talk with my friends and it was interesting to see that I had some intimacy with complete strangers about this topic."
"The biggest impact for me, it really helped me expand on my own thoughts about climate change and what action need to be done."
Wish: "I'd be very curious to see what it would be like a circle with people who's opinions are not different that mine".
― Ali Amad
