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Chapter 16: The Forgiveness of Illusions, I. True Empathy, P 2. 1-16-20

I. True Empathy P 2
T-16.I.2. The clearest proof that empathy as the ego uses it is destructive lies in the fact that it is applied only to certain types of problems and in certain people. 2 These it selects out, and joins with. 3 And it never joins except to strengthen itself. 4 Having identified with what it thinks it understands, the ego sees itself and would increase itself by sharing what is like itself. 5 Make no mistake about this maneuver; the ego always empathizes to weaken, and to weaken is always to attack. 6 You do not know what empathizing means. 7 Yet of this you may be sure; if you will merely sit quietly by and let the Holy Spirit relate through you, you will empathize with strength, and will gain in strength and not in weakness.

Journal
I’m thinking of how I might empathize through the ego. If I am told by a friend that her mother died and I feel a pang of loss myself and share that feeling of loss with her, perhaps talking about my own loss, that would be empathizing with the ego. I would be forming a special relationship, bonding through loss and pain, which would weaken us both.

So, how might I express true empathy? Perhaps, I would tell her I am sorry to hear that, and ask her when it happened so that she would feel invited to talk if that is what she needs. Perhaps I would invite her to share stories about her mother, again, so that she will feel invited to talk about her mom. I would remain open to Spirit to know what is needed and what would be truly helpful, strengthening us both.

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