Part 2 Bridging the Empathy Gap with Nadine Helm

In part 2 of Bridging the Empathy Gap, I speak with Nadine Helm, another trainer in Nonviolent Communication / aka Compassionate + Authentic Relating. 

Where we dive a few layers deeper into the conflict that is unfolding in the middle east, in our own hearts, in our close relationships and beyond..

Together we explore the complexity of grieving whilst caring for the impact of actions that are being taken.

We look at examples of hope and people in the community that support us to move towards a more compassionate voice together. 

Nadine Helm - EmpathyCoach
 embracing-life.com

Emma Buggy - Relationship Coach

https://www.empathart.com/

 

References made in the podcast:

1) "Such raw times call us to walk softly, to speak firmly yet with compassion, and not fall into simplistic black and white narratives. They call us to look deeply at our own bias and more than ever not to lose sight of our shared humanity. We can stand against violence while seeking understanding. We can grieve the loss of innocent life in Israel and in Gaza.  We can oppose antisemitism and islamophobia, denounce terrorist attacks and collective punishment." 

From E-mail by SAND (Science and Nonduality), Oct 30th 2023, "Roots Run Deep: Collective & Individual Trauma in Times of Crisis"

2) Jeff Foster How to open your heart

Do not try to open your heart now. That would be a subtle movement of aggression towards your immediate embodied experience. Never tell a closed heart it must be more open; it will shut more tightly to protect itself, feeling your resistance. A heart unfurls only when conditions are right; your demand for openness invites closure. This is the supreme intelligence of the heart.

Instead, bow to the heart in its current state. If it's closed, let it be closed; sanctify the closure. Make it safe; safe even to feel unsafe. Trust that when the heart is ready, and not a moment before, it will open, like a flower in the warmth of the sun. There is no rush for the heart.

Trust the opening and the closing too; the expansion and the contraction; this is the heart's way of breathing; safe, unsafe, safe, unsafe; the beautiful fragility of being human; and all held in the most perfect love. Jeff Foster 

 

3) Thich Nhat Hanh: The way out is in.

4) Martin Luther King

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

“I have to say to you. I have decided to stick to love. I know that love is ultimately the only answer to the problems of humanity. I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love.” 

References I made:

- Unicef executive director Catherine Russell briefed UN security council on humanitarian situation in Gaza warming Israel’s assault is killing or injuring more than 420 children in Gaza every day.

- In Gaza, a child is killed every 10-15 minutes.

Over 3000 children killed, more than 2000 missing – total 5300 children killed

8500 people mostly women and children killed over the past 26 days

– Dr. Mads Gilbert in an Interview with Democracy Now:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTxzW0Pai7c&t=5s

- Noy Katsman, brother of Hayim – killed by Hamas – not in my name (peace activist)

"I want us to support the people who call for calming down and for peace, and for saving lives, not the people who call for more hate and more violence, that’s my request to everyone and I know that’s exactly what my brother would want to do," said Noy.

Michal Halev: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/novengeanceinmyname

Arab families hiding jewish citizens:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Hebron_massacre