Kathy's Empathy Group Meeting Notes 2009-02-14

We opened the meeting with meditation and check in

We processed conflicted feelings regarding the participation and abrupt departure of a potential member during the previous meeting. An immediate effort had been made by several group members to uncover the root of her issue with the group/our work.

We viewed video of an interview with the author of "Wired to Care." Edwin recently attended the launch of the book where he spoke with with the author and co-author. Our empathy study group was mentioned during the event.

 Lowell uses her journal to record reflections on empathy during the week- recalled experience of witnessing an accident- her "heart lurched" in empathetic response. She shared her perception of equanimity as a skill of self-mastery and wondered of we can use first person examples of empathy.

 Barack 2007 Iowa video clip shared- in it he declared that we have lost the ability to "see each other in ourselves"- that some are not able to "recognize themselves in each other". Lowell created a list of questions and ideas to reflect on in through our study. (*** I should post it here)

 Further discussion re: conflict experience by interaction with prospective member. who declared, "This group is not for me." Questions considered- "How do we deal with conflict that may arise between us?"

 Christine mused "It's only a matter of time." "How do we engage with people on a completely different page?"
"What do we do when Republicans do not want to help?"

When resources are perceived as finite, how does one cope with the perception that Republicans would "rather we both drown?" Barack has spoken about trust building. He repeatedly reached out to Republicans during the first weeks of his administration yet, only 3 centrist Republican senators cast their votes to support the stimulus plan. (NY TIMES)

*************We agreed to pursue a Collaborative Inquiry (CI).

Lowell proposed we make a mission statement. Leon offered to be be our "tension watcher"- so the group we might "turn toward it and give it attention." "This not a therapy group but we will all experience growth." Our initial research question was developed and agreed to:

How might we promote or foster empathy within ourselves, as a group and within the larger culture through a balance of action and reflection?

 We reviewed Bray's list of steps to attend to when developing a CI.  Lowell pointed out the diversity within our group, eg: gender, age, health, work.. but no racial diversity in core group. African American participants are not able to meet more often than monthly. We discussed how to promote more ethnic/racial diversity in group- post to website requesting participants suggested

. Discussed possibility of group blog for private conversation within core group.

Discussed fishbowl model to incorporate those not committed to core group participation- would support accessibility, inclusivity and transparency for our work. .