3. Circle Benefits?

What do you see as the benefits of Empathy Circles?

COHORT 12B

responses

COHORT 12A

responses

COHORT 11B

responses

COHORT 9C

responses

COHORT 11A

responses 20

to become more emphathetic as a liste er

It teaches us all the art and joy of active listening.

The ability to make someone feel heard and understood.

Conflict resolution, and stress reduction.

Conflicts can be resolved with humanness and respect for the individuals

Strengthening community, learning how to listen with greater empathy and teach others.

to heal self and relations, be respectful to others and self

Clear communication. Transparency. Understanding and connection in relationship. Integrity. Compassion. Love. Intelligent evolution.

Authentic and respectful relations Peace and true harmony

In the work that I do

More gentle compassionate and effective communication and deeper connection and intimacy.

To become better listener to other and more understanding and caring for people

It gives people an opportunity to be open and present in various aspects of their life

This can help us receive and offer non judgemental space for understanding each other and improve our relationships

Opening the heart of humanity

From what I've seen as a participant of an Empathy Circle, the better listeners we become, the better we are able to work with others. Now more than ever, people must learn to work with each other, regardless of differences in class, race, religious belief, sexuality, gender identity, etc., to address the crises that threaten social justice and peace. Also, it can mean so much to someone just feel genuinely heard and understood.

It induces joy and harmony within the short time that we meet, evoking smiles from everyone. I think it is an important step towards bridging the massive communication gap that we find ourselves in.

Enable people to share with like-minded people their concerns hopes and dreams in this time of climate emergency.To support rebels to continue on the path of resistance .As part of the necessary rejenerative culture

Reinforcement of essential skills

I see a community of caring, connection , respect and love birthing with this practice.

COHORT 9B

responses 8

It is a way of being with the other that few people had the chance to experience and I see it extremely beneficial in mediating and avoiding conflicts by simply learning to really listen to what the other has to bring on the table

They circumvent the conflict that comes of dialogue/conversation and open a space for understanding to grow.

EC's offer a space and a structure for people to express genuinely and be heard.

- Deep connection as human beings. - Enhance mutual understanding in which we could see the inner beauty of every person - Conflict resolution

www.shreemaa.org, www.amma.org, where needed

One of the greatest things that has come out in all of my training in anti-racism work and trying to help change our culture, not being heard and the hurt that it has created and built up over the years is how I see Empathy Circles being very impactful.

Improves connection, understanding and communication. I think it makes the world a better place.

Build my communication skills and get a simple but great trust builder process for team

COHORT 9A

responses 27

It calms the mind, makes one feel heard in a very chaotic world, is a beautiful technique for solving certain sets of problems, enhances deeper understanding.

Acceptance. right now in the present moment. To be seen and heard without judgement, assessment, fixing, or problem solving. being vulunerable and it being safe. being able to explore the 'hard' stuff. the stuff we keep buried inside ourselves that causes pain. Also a benefit to celebrate. to share celebrations and gratitudes for those things we are proud about or things that bring us joy and to be able to share this with others.

Fostering the spirit of empathy, in the members of the circle and beyond.

For me, the most important benefit is just being heard - there are a few people in my life who can actually listen to me and most of the times I can only find this level of empathy in therapeutic settings only. The fact that some of the participants in the Empathy Circles have done this with their families is something that until now I could only dream about. Unfortunately, in the society I live in empathy is lacking - people consider themselves as being empathic, but they are miles away from what empathy really means. As I learnt, if the person you're in contact with does not feel you as being empathic towards them, then you're not empathic - and I think that Empathy Circles could be an amazing way of teaching others how to stay with what the other is saying. The last benefit that crosses my mind right now (as I know there are a lot more) is the simplicity and applicability of the concept. You start by listening and reflecting the other for 5 minutes, experience being fully heard and then stay silent and listen to the others until your turn comes back. It can change the way we interact and position ourselves with others, teach us about conflict, understanding and anybody can use it, no matter their background, as long as they keep their ears open.

- deepen relationships - deepen the harmony and peace between participants and their community - affect peace in the community and at scale the potential for transforming society into a more compassionate place - help people mature as the understand each other, themselves and the world around them in a more profound way - reduce conflict in communities

Bringing empathy to be a central part in our culture, which helps create peace and harmony and understanding, solving our life's challenges and filling our needs in cooperation, as one, tuned into each other's feelings.

peace, authentic relations

A peer support group, a healing space, a non judgemental space.

The simplicity of it and the possibility of seeing others as humans, while having disagreeing points of view.

To listen and insert dignity, equity, and curiosity in the world. To support conflict resolution, and lead to restorative justice.

Vital basis for productive communications and relationships

Trust. Self-care. Comfort. Connection. Healing. Oxytocin! An emotionally healthy community.

Deeper conversation , greater human connection, a more peaceful existence.

Essential to build trust n open dialogue to speak with a heart n head connect

strengthened social connections, even across differences

Balance in the team

Skill of being present and listening. Being able to listen to people who hold different perspectives. Making it possible for people to be heard to their satisfaction. Possibility of healing across differences.

communication culture

The here and now, brings positive emotions to people. Allowing to flow.

As above regarding my desire to be a facilitator. Given the challenges we face at present in society, we have to be better and truly engaging with others, listening to different ideas and opinions and then finding area of common understanding and shared humanity. I think this process helps people to achieve that and gives them space to listen to other points of view and see the world through other eyes.

Open up a dialogue that is beneficial to hearing and meeting people where they are at.

I feel that Empathy Circles creates a comfortable and safe environment.

I see the circles as a safe space to deeply connect with others and to practice listening skills, which can be difficult to develop and practice on a regular basis. I like how they provide room for more of the "gray" that we have in life around peoples' feelings and needs that are not so confined by black and white and expectations of a conversation and connection.

It is very important to listen to each other and to learn how to listen to each other. That will make people understand and care more for each other.

It allows for brainstorming in emphatic way and participants having their needs met with no required knowledge of NVC

Better relationships and cooperative problem solving

COHORT 10

responses 10

To me, it seems that Empathy Circles help to lubricate understanding between people. They both teach us how to listen deeply and feel the other in our bodies and not in our heads, while also teaching us how to speak in a way that can be heard and felt by the other. They teach us how to slow down and create space and they help us to co-regulate our nervous systems. Also, being seen is healing in and of itself. And healing heals the healer too. All of this can help to unify instead of divide, even with the differences we hold. Our differences are compatible and integratable if we remain open to all that is. Empathy helps to allow for this openness.

The main benefits are building trust safety and a place to be heard. It’s a powerful tool for mediation too. I also think being deeply listened to supports our sovereignty and redirects the locus of control with the person being listened to, through this we can learn to trust ourselves again.

I think if we could all start to connect with each other better & truly understand one another, the possibilities are endless. It feels like such a positive change to make in the world right now and is so sorely needed.

It will help solve lots of deep sitted systemic issues.

Training of communication skills, conflict resolution, promotes understanding between people of varied views and opinions, fosters interpersonal connections.

recognizing own thinking and prejudgement

More connection and unity

Practicing active listening and being vulnerable with others

I think it has the potentiatl to heal people, to connect them in a most rofound way, and to make peace in the world!

Nourishment of relationality and interconnection, growth, healthy decisions, relaxation, creativity, mutual care, and more.

COHORT 8

responses 26

Empathy Circles can help break down the barriers between human beings and promote interconnection.

Getting beyond "sound-bite" thinking and reacting; learning to really hear people - especially those whose views I strongly disagree with; possibly, people opening their hearts and remembering our humanity.

Empathy deficits can be attributed as main cause of all the environmental and socio-economic mess we are in right now. Till the time each human does not inculcate empathy for every living being of this planet, we are not going to improve any of issues present today.

Helps become better listeners, helps build patience when used regularly.

Clarity, connectedness

people got to know how to control own judgement and opinion while listening others.

A kinder, compassionated, connected , peaceful and supportive community.

> A space for people to be seen and heard which bring great relief and healing to the individual > Better understanding our neighbours can only bring more peace into the world

They teach how to show empathy and how to actively listen. They promote peace at an individual and collective level.

slowing down, connecting, respecting, acknowledging

Human connection

Understand and feel understood. A practical way of approaching a topic so everyone has a say holding the space for everyone to express their feelings and thoughts.

Bring people together, create more peace and harmony and understanding through listening and helping people to feel seen, heard and understood

More understanding

To reduce conflicts and increase more understandings among different voices and perspectives

People learn to listen. People get heard.

Developing listening, empathic and relationship skills. Importantly, developing skills in opening up and talking about feelings and needs, and realising that you can be heard, is very important in building a firm foundation for self-confidence, self-worth and a sense of belonging.

mutual understanding

People feeling understood and cared for, healing relationships, bringing calm to communities

allows us to have and experience love even when we see things differently and we really need that in the world right now

More connection and unity

Nurturing a more peaceful society through strengthened, more reciprocal relationships and shared understanding.

I really like the structure of the process and the container it provides for building listening, empathy and awareness skills. I like that it is done in a small group - gives more opportunity to practice and it allows for a safe container for building skills.

People come alive when they feel heard, understood, appreciated

help with emotional insights, and post-action debriefing, connect people, lift feeling of loneliness and not being enough, making a step toward more regenerative culture, learning to be better active lister, learning self-care, ... there's quite a lot

I see it working into Restorative Justice circles and working with clients that are involved with Domestic Violence.

COHORT 7

An opportunity for learning to actively listen and being heard, Not happening much in our culture today.

Knowing self, building bonds and understanding, creating collaboration, releasing tension and avoiding violence, healing, love, kindness, creativity, and more!

helping people tolerate difference (political/cultural/other beliefs) through deep listening

Better personal resilience, and intepersonal connections, community building and sociap emotional intelligence

Surviving my siblings' attempted fratricide.

Teaches basic skill and promotes good will.

People opening up their hearts to others and learning to listen deeply this can be used in conflict resolution and allowing people to lead a more fulfilling life where they know how to feel connected to people rather than judgemental

So many! They parallel the mindful practice I'm building, and are helping me connect with my family.

For me personally it is great to have an opportunity to speak uninterrupted in a safe environment and to feel tangible regard when another person has listed intently to me. I also believe that over time I was becoming a less empathetic person and the circles has assisted me to listen better and understand others without letting my thoughts or intentions interrupt.

being heard, learning skills of active listening which is fundamental to developing empathy, mutuality, no heirarchy, safe supportive process

One of the most important benefits is to have more fulfilling relationships.

People clarify their own challenges, get heard and connect with others. In this way we know we're not alone, that we all have the same basic needs, and can work together to create a more caring, interconnective and supportive culture

Building effective relationships

An opportunity for a shift in how people interact with each other and themselves and ripple out

Contagious empathy - a world of empathy - also I think it can definitely help workplace culture, specially at this time with overloaded healthcare systems and universities who are putting staff off.

COHORT 6

conflict resolution, understanding through differences

Increasing understanding between people, helping to create harmony, educational too

It builds trust, supports team building, solves conflicts and people feel they are heard at their satisfaction

Bridging divides on social, political & environmental issues.

Practice of deep active authentic listening whilst holding the other in compassion is profound. Learning how to reflect back differing viewpoints with non judgement can transform communications. Essential task of building emotional Intelligence and meaningful connection.

Improving family communication

Helps to build trust in relationships; is a foundation for understanding and connection; helps us to develop our skills in listening and speaking; can be a used in many contexts; can stop conflict from arising or from escalating; allows people to feel good, welcome, and nurtured and boosts courage and confidence; can get to know others deeply and authentically in quite a short space of time; is a safe space to speak and clarify your thoughts; levels the playing field in relationships; can be used as the basis for other practices or as a way to build group coherence at the start of a project; easy to learn and teach; simple process with rich benefits

Greater connection in relationships, improved communication, non-judgement and active listening

Lends unbiased structure to mediation, useful structure for emotional support.

Reduce trauma

The pathway to more empathy in the world.

It's a simple way to practice our empathetic listening muscle. We inspire each other.

Peace, restorative justice

Sense of connection and growth

improving our ability to understand and listen to each other as a force that is creative rather than destructive

It is so important that people feel heard in these perilous times. So many people are hurting and need an empathic ear. So few are listening. EC creates a space for empathy, a space that does not exist (in my knowledge) organically in the current culture climate.

better interpersonal communication across the board, able to bond with others more

I see the benefit of humans being able to communicate fully and listen fully to one another.

Honors each voice. Gives everyone a chance to practice active listening. Increases well being and helps improve relationships.

Discovering the truth in ourselves and each other as we navigate our own internal personal journeys, and having this honesty promote shared growth, intimacy, and individual/team resilience.

Better listening.

I have probably already partly answered this question above. Firstly, I believe that empathy circles offer a deep way to connect with other human beings. Humans are social animals and have a deeply rooted need for genuine connection. Without these connections we can become disturbed and unwell. Empathy circles can meet this need. I also believe that many of us become 'stuck' when we do not have the opportunity to fully express or release our feelings. Again, this 'stuckness' can prevent us from moving fully through our natural cycle of action and release. 'Stuckness' creates suffering and can limit our resourceful responses. Empathy circles allow for full and unhindered expression and thus help us to return to our natural cycles. Finally, I feel there is something in the 'being heard' element of empathy circles that in this moment, I want to call empowering witnessing. Empathy circles offer the speaker a chance to hear and see themselves in the mirror of another's listening. For me personally, I find this a deeply empowering experience. Somehow I am able to see myself more clearly in a neutral way. Being mirrored in this way seems to evoke a deeper response in me: new insights, different perspectives, and novel actions occur. I don't know exactly how or why this happens, but it is my experience and it feels somehow to trigger my own deeper organismic resourceful responses.

Firstly, I believe that empathy circles offer a deep way to connect with other human beings. Humans are social animals and have a deeply rooted need for genuine connection. Without these connections we can become disturbed and unwell. Empathy circles can meet this need. I also believe that many of us become 'stuck' when we do not have the opportunity to fully express or release our feelings. Again, this 'stuckness' can prevent us from moving fully through our natural cycle of action and release. 'Stuckness' creates suffering and can limit our resourceful responses. Empathy circles allow for full and unhindered expression and thus help us to return to our natural cycles. Finally, I feel there is something in the 'being heard' element of empathy circles that in this moment, I want to call empowering witnessing. Empathy circles offer the speaker a chance to hear and see themselves in the mirror of another's listening. For me personally, I find this a deeply empowering experience. Somehow I am able to see myself more clearly in a neutral way. Being mirrored in this way seems to evoke a deeper response in me: new insights, different perspectives, and novel actions occur. I don't know exactly how or why this happens, but it is my experience and it feels somehow to trigger my own deeper organismic resourceful responses.

ot have the opportunity to fully express or release our feelings. Again, this 'stuckness' can prevent us from moving fully through our natural cycle of action and release. 'Stuckness' creates suffering and can limit our resourceful responses. Empathy circles allow for full and unhindered expression and thus help us to return to our natural cycles. Finally, I feel there is something in the 'being heard' element of empathy circles that in this moment, I want to call empowering witnessing. Empathy circles offer the speaker a chance to hear and see themselves in the mirror of another's listening. For me personally, I find this a deeply empowering experience. Somehow I am able to see myself more clearly in a neutral way. Being mirrored in this way seems to evoke a deeper response in me: new insights, different perspectives, and novel actions occur. I don't know exactly how or why this happens, but it is my experience and it feels somehow to trigger my own deeper organismic resourceful responses.

ble to see myself more clearly in a neutral way. Being mirrored in this way seems to evoke a deeper response in me: new insights, different perspectives, and novel actions occur. I don't know exactly how or why this happens, but it is my experience and it feels somehow to trigger my own deeper organismic resourceful responses.

The empathy circle is a structure that allows an open dialogue. Allows space for listening, for sharing sensitive or vulnerable information. It is a good structure to be used when conflicts arise inside groups, or as a support system to discuss any type of subjects. It's also a way to connect deeper with other human beings, and to restructure and rethink our usual ways of communication in society.

COHORT 5

Healing, deep listening, better collaborating, building a culture of empathy

- offer healing and kindness to others through holding space for each other when needed - cultivate deeper humanity compassion through active listening - actively reduce violence and conflict in the community by offering space for emotions and feelings and opinions to be expressed

- cultivate deeper humanity compassion through active listening - actively reduce violence and conflict in the community by offering space for emotions and feelings and opinions to be expressed

s and feelings and opinions to be expressed

The Charter Education Institute brings instructors in to facilitate a variety of courses on Compassion from poetry, resilience skills etc. I see Empathy Circles as one that is greatly needed. I would like to see how it works, then to see how we can offer it our online students.

'being heard", validated, empowered, sense of community, trust, sharing, support, safe

In addition to what I said above, about this model being a great way to introduce people in improving their empathy skills; the main benefit is that the more people who engage with empathy circles and become an empathic listener, the more people will feel heard and seen, and the more people who feel heard, the more culture of empathy energy will be place in the world, and so on...

Team building, improved active listening and trust.

conflict res, team building, improved morale and more

we need to learn to listen to each other in the bigger picture - this is a solid practice to build those skills.

Many things! It gives everyone space to speak, so people don't have to rush or yell to be able to express themselves and be heard, the active reflecting forces people to really listen and focus on the speaker before getting into their own responses and it slows down the conversation in general. All this results, in my experience, in a better experience for people, greater understanding and fewer misunderstandings among people, and more engagement.

Fun

Fostering trust and personal growth. Compare and contrast E.C. with interpeersonal learning circles (CAI in Spanish)

It it where we can learn to listen, this is the very basis of a culture of empathy and peace

Bridge polarized communities

Peace through understanding!

- cultivate deeper humanity compassion through active listening

COHORT 4

It's a radically simple and accessible practice to improve relationships and develop a sense of connection, to support each other as humans, and maybe even contribute to healing our world.

less conflict, more understanding

Greater understanding between groups and better communication

They provide a space where people can help each other to articulate issues, and where conflict resolution can happen because the atmosphere encourages freedom and risk taking

it makes everything possible! It opens up possibilities, opportunities and it gives hope.

It builds and strengthens relationship and team work

I also get support as a mother, facilitator and as a person in general

Having a chance to practice empathy is extremely precious for me. Empathy boosts many skills and can even support to good morality.

COHORT 3

More peace, more understanding, more connections, collaborative mindset

The increase of listening skills and empathy

It's a radically simple and accessible practice to improve relationships and develop a sense of connection, to support each other as humans, and maybe even contribute to healing our world.

Empathy circles has simple strategies that can help open up dialogue and see alternate viewpoints

Developing mental focus on personal experience and understanding of tough issues, making stakeholder ideas and objectives clear, and slowing down the pace of political dialogue as such to prevent the speed and instability required for conversations to become abusive.

Deeper connections, slowing down, a tool for conflict resolution, practice of listening without judgements.

Helping create understanding, giving people the tools of empathy, promoting more cohesive collaboration and helping meet needs in a more fun and less costly way.

That’s a really powerful tool... there’s a kind of magic when you get connected to someone else. That creates some very strong connections between the participants thanks to the trust that builds up over time

Creating better communication between people who have very different views of the world

Greater sense of community & understanding. Opportunity for people to share thoughts.

Ethical, trauma and resilience informed depth

Creates a space to share and be heard there by seeding a sense of belonging/community.

COHORT 2

Awareness, clarity, empowerment, compassion, community

Helping people work together effectively

Breaking down our tendency to label others, and realizing our common humanity

Empathy circles are creating the culture of empathy and it can lead to form compassionate society.

It is an amazingly effective first step empathy building practice

Problem solving conflicts in ways that promote the dignity of all while building resilience and restoration with greater reconciliation/growth/understanding. I believe it is a win-win approach and has great value for use in the schools and other settings.

Has the potential for building communities based on compassion, connection and healing.

Creating openness, helping us see our commonalities

Training people to listen better and respond more consciously

the rush of Capitalism becomes calmness within the empathy circle... and beyond

It promotes kindness empathy and kindness It facilitates communication among peers Builds self-esteem Promotes tolerance and living together

It facilitates communication among peers Builds self-esteem Promotes tolerance and living together

d living together

Improves listening skills, social awareness, empathy, self-awarness

Many

It is not a therapy but it is highly therapeutic. It supports our Emotional Health.

Each of us learning how to listen and HEAR deeply - very good for us all.

It facilitates communication among peers Builds self-esteem