The roots of empathy

Witnessing and the Sinner’s Bench are staples of fundamentalist Christian congregations since at least the 19th century and they have in common with modern psychotherapy one simple thing: empathy, the act of speaking and being heard in a perceptible way. I certainly have cringed at the idea of being “outed” publicly in the style of the Baptist ministries I have seen in my area where I live. They can be invasive into personal lives and very destructive. At the same point, I think the idea of public display of foibles is to be appreciated. Certainly it is valuable in the 12 step programs. It is also used in group therapy and one-on-one psychotherapy. It helps to process information, to be heard, to reframe, and to heal. Sometimes Buddhists can seem self-involved and not in sync with this kind of activity. But it is just another form of mindfulness, this time in a social context. A shared mindfulness, if you will. Speaking, mirroring, reframing, healing, are all well within the arena of commonplace Buddhist thinking.