Meditation can increase empathy, study finds | Mindful Magazine

Can the brain be trained to be more receptive to the needs of others?

 

Emory researchers describe CBCT as a form of “mind training” or “thought transformation.” For the practitioner of CBCT, the objective is to shift thoughts from “me” to “others” in the following eight steps:

 

(1) developing attention and stability of mind through focused attention training;

 

(2) cultivating insight into the nature of mental experience;

 

(3) cultivating self-compassion;

 

(4) developing equanimity;

 

(5) developing appreciation and gratitude;

 

(6) developing affection and empathy;

 

(7) realizing aspirational compassion; and

 

(8) realizing active compassion.