What we’re about
Would you like to speak and feel fully heard?
Would you like to connect to yourself and others more deeply?
Do you want to work on developing your empathy skills?
Would you benefit from freely sharing, without the cost of a therapist?
Do you want to feel understood? Valued? Excited about your life?
Beloved Participants
I warmly invite you to the Empathy Circle. In our circle, your well-being matters to us. We understand the importance of being heard, each and every one of us. We're are here to be present for whatever is on your mind and heart. You are not alone; we are here with you.
And, I'm hosting these circles at no cost for you. The circles are Free.
Our only focus is on being present for you now, in the moment.
Your comfort and growth are the priority.
We genuinely care about your experiences.
Your thoughts and feelings are valuable.
We're committed you your emotional journey.
Become part of a caring community.
You'll find a welcoming and understanding space.
Together we foster a culture of compassion.
Connect with like-minded individuals who care.
Share your thoughts in a nurturing environment.
Anyone can attend an Empathy Circle - but the circle is a small group of 5-6 people. The format is simple, and the results for all of us is nothing short of profound. Everyone will get a change to speak for 3-4 minutes. Your listener will reflect just what you have said. No judgment or comments of their own. Just repeating one idea at a time, whatever is on your mind and heart. Once the speaker has had their turn, they then become the listener. We will continue for 40 minutes.
“Although our brains are built for positive emotions, one major obstacle gets in our way: Dr. Pert explained that our brain’s functions are hindered by “the thought that we are separate from each other and from the rest of creation.”
In other words, if we lack empathy, if we lack this connection to others and the world by separating ourselves emotionally, indeed from creation itself, we interfere with the hardwiring of our brains. Developing empathy for others and self-empathy, and teaching others to do the same, will dramatically improve not only emotional health but physical health as well.
Another huge benefit from the Empathy Circle is that it gives our amygdala a pause. The amygdala's role in the brain involves processing emotions, particularly fear and stress responses. After a stressful event, the amygdala can become activated, triggering the "fight or flight" response and releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to heightened sensitivity of the amygdala and a diminished ability to return to a balanced state. Practicing stress management techniques regularly can help improve the brain's resilience to stressors and facilitate a smoother reset process after stressful events. The active listening part of the Empathy Circle calms down the amygdala because you are only focused on returning a description of what the speaker has verbalized. We are not racing around in our brain to figure out what you want to say next, since all the is needed is just a succinct feedback. This is golden.
“Empathy for ourselves and others — the emotion connecting us to the world — is a tremendous healing agent." Compassion “turns on” our immune system and improves health dramatically. All positive emotions, studies show, release brain chemicals called endorphins that dull pain and produce pleasure.
Each empathy circle is limited to 6 people. Once we grow into a bigger group, I will be expanding. Of course, we agree to use first names only, and confidentially is expected.
I have found that it helps me to feel more in the moment, and calms down my mind. Sometimes not even friends or family are available, or capable of being empathic. This resource is as close as you can get to a true friend without any of the drama.
Here is a link that explains the value of empathy-
https://www.pointloma.edu/resources/counseling-psychology/how-empathy-can-change-your-life-career
