The Social Brain
In this program, we learn about how people develop different levels of empathy. Daniel Goleman is a former New York Times science reporter specializing in how brain function affects the way we feel and perceive life. His best-selling book “Emotional Intelligence” described emerging brain research that shows the superior functioning of people who develop skills of self-awareness and the ability to regulate their emotions. He has now ventured into understanding the brain chemistry of how people interact with each other, the subject of his subsequent book, “Social Intelligence.”
The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person, then naturally, empathy arises. If you tune into the other person, you feel with them. If empathy arises, and if that person is in dire need, then empathetic concern can come. You want to help them, and then that begins a compassionate act. So I’d say that compassion begins with attention.” — Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., Author of “Emotional Intelligence” and “Social Intelligence”