Empathy – Sensing and Absorbing Emotions

Exercise 2: Tuning into the Emotions of Others

Now that you've learned to sense and regulate your own emotions, this exercise will guide you in expanding that awareness to the emotions of others.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Find a Calm Setting: Sit in a space where you are around one or two other people, but not in a crowded place. A quiet café, park, or a gathering with friends would be ideal.

Soften Your Focus: While in the presence of others, gently soften your gaze and relax your body. Don't stare directly at anyone—just allow your awareness to open up to the emotional atmosphere around you.

Focus on One Person: Without engaging them directly, focus your awareness on one person. Try to sense their emotional state without speaking or observing their body language.

Tune into Their Emotional Energy: Notice how their presence feels. Do you sense joy, sadness, stress, or calmness? Does their emotional energy feel heavy or light? Pay attention to the feelings that arise in you, as they may be reflections of the other person's emotions.

Journal Your Experience: After this exercise, take a few minutes to reflect on and write down what you sensed. Were you able to distinguish your own emotions from those of the person you were focusing on? Over time, you'll develop a sharper awareness of others' emotional energy.