In this segment, Shamir discusses how to improve interpersonal relationships especially when one is pre-disposed to 'rambling' on without sensing if the other person is willing to engage. He demonstrates how the two-sentence rule serves to deepen the connection with another individual as well as serve to invite a more meaningful exchange.
Your body is extremely efficient. Those who have had a cast know that once the cast comes off after a few months, the muscles in the area atrophy or shrink. This is because the muscle has been dormant and the body reduces its capacity in that area to match the level of activity (if you don't use it, you lose it). With proper care and attention, one can re-build those muscles again. This is also true for our capacity to empathize with others or to hold compassion in our hearts. We can grow our ability to hold compassion with simple practices and by doing so improve our overall health and well-being. The good news is that even if our ability to hold compassion shrinks over time (perhaps due to life changing situations, etc.), we can regain it by practicing the techniques provided in this program.
I had an angry exchange with a member of my family. Afterwards I wondered how quickly I could feel compassion for her. Would it be hours? days? weeks? It took me only one minute by applying the tools I teach others. Listen to the video for the steps.
Studies show that individuals leave behind an energetic footprint that is felt by others. In one experiment, energy field was measured before and after a focused group meditation session; there was a significant rise in the energy field in the room after participants left.
Sarah’s husband was recently diagnosed with a terminal disease. They had been together for over half a century and now she is facing the prospect of life without his physical presence. Individuals have tried to comfort her with statements like “at least you have had a good life together” , “Trust God – He will guide you through this”, or my favourite “We grow closer to God through Suffering”. These are all comments from well meaning individuals and completely unhelpful to individuals like Sarah. She doesn’t need to hear comments that imply she needs to “just let go”. She needs to process her emotions and feel heard. When comforting others like Sarah, there is only one rule: help her feel joy as she expresses her emotions.
When comforting others, there is only one rule - to help them experience joy. We tend to want to help 'solve the problem' for them rather than help them find peace in the moment. Listen to the replay to explore how you can comfort others.