Exploring empathy with Dr Simon Nightingale

This episode takes a wander through the concept and practice of empathy, a key component in chaplaincy. We look at our different perspectives and intentions in being empathetic and Simon offers explanations as to the difference between emotional empathy and cognitive empathy and how this can be explained in terms of human development and neuroscience. We consider the challenges in being empathetic, for example when you are tired or you find it hard to like or connect with another person. Also the need for self-awareness and critique of our empathy intentions and practice to ensure that we are not making assumptions or over-identifying. Simon offers some techniques for developing empathetic practice including the notion of centring or grounding yourself before your encounters with others, acknowledging the Buddhist ethos that lies behind this. Simon draws on his previous Christian faith to talk about the core concept of love; how feeling loved (whether by a god or other relationship) impacts on our own self-love and ability to love others. A wide ranging discussion