Empathy?
SEASONS CARRYING US FORWARD
Q: Empathy?
A: Empathy | ˈɛmpəθi | noun [mass noun] the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
Do you know anyone who is not in some sort of transition in their life? Me neither. It appears that each of us is confronted with some major life shift in some way or another and if we are not, our nearest and dearest is which also affects us.
And tis’ the season for change as we cross the equinox threshold from summer into fall, which was immediately noted by the wind and drop in temperatures here in New York as if on cue. Scarves out, warm beverages in hand, leaves everywhere and boots replacing the wedge.*
In yoga, I was always taught that most injuries occur in between poses. It is in the transitions that we need to bring more attention and awareness as we glide from one position to the next. And so it is in life. Our bodies are attempting to adjust to the changes, as are our minds, and our very own hearts. If only we could have more compassion for ourselves as we venture from season to season of life, perhaps we could strengthen our ability to be empathic with others.
SEASONS OF REFLECTION
Summer is just one reflection of our state of being unless you live in southern California ; ), and I love how the seasons tell the story of our lives, of our humanity. Fall is the transition from Summer to Winter; it bridges the gap, it carries us gently from peak sun to the darkest night, it holds us close and welcomes us with pumpkin-flavored everything. It conjures the winds of change, announces the cooler temperatures, and attempts to ease us into a period of hibernation.
And perhaps you have heard of hygge or cuffing season. People want “cozy” and they yearn to connect. Is it colder weather? Or is it Libra Season? Libra is the reflection of others. Instead of the Aries question of “Who am I?” Libra asks, “Who are we?” And this brings me back to the word empathy.
Over the last few years, I’ve witnessed the empaths really speaking up to be heard and seen. Almost like some kind of reclamation of self amidst the torrent of headlines and challenges we are all immersed in within this world and letting everyone know it is even more difficult if you are empathic. I don’t actually agree. I think it is difficult for all of us and as an empathic person, which most of us can be if we bring others’ experiences into our field of consciousness (except for psychopaths, they cannot), I’ve been wondering lately as to the origin of empathy.
UNDERSTANDING EMPATHY
How is it that we actually come to understand the feelings and circumstances of other people, animals, or situations? Through inner reflection, I don’t believe I can honestly know anything about how another person feels unless I am attuned to that region of my own psyche. And, either I am learning about them in real-time through their reflection awakening this part within myself and thus I can access this feeling – Or, I know this part of myself too, and recognize it in others and therefore can experience compassion and empathy with another because I know myself.
In my experience, nothing such as my feelings, emotions, etc exists outside of my own skin. For example, can someone else make you feel one way or another? Or does something occur inside of you in the face of another’s words and actions that have you feeling one way or another?
Just food for thought on this new moon in Libra. This moon is opposite Jupiter bringing all kinds of possible and beneficial energy our way through our relationships. Through other people in our lives. Through the invitation to get outside of ourselves, out of our own way so to speak, and into the world of another. And if we can do that, by opening our hearts and letting go of our ego-attachments, we can expand into new realms of being within ourselves. This is my definition of empathy and I hope that each of us gets to experience more of it in this moon cycle.
*Fashion is the unspoken language of this city which is kind of wonderful to observe as someone who doesn’t care an exceeding amount but still likes to drop a color pop here and there. And we are in Libra season, after all, the glam, the beauty, the aesthetically pleasing way of being is front and center aka fashion week, back-to-school lewks, etc.
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We cannot change the world until we accept we are the world. This is the new conversation.