| Empathy is a quality of the heart and mind that | | | | develops the capacity for empathy. |
| enables us to feel deeply into the emotional, mental, | | | | "On the surface, the empathy of the narcissist |
| and physical state of another human being. An | | | | seems to be genuine...Pseudo-empathy is exquisitely |
| empathic individual is capable of putting himself in | | | | designed by the narcissist to manipulate others so |
| another person's place and of deeply caring about | | | | they will fulfill his narcissistic needs." |
| him. Empathy is a special attunement to the unique | | | | The narcissist puts on an impeccably convincing |
| experience of another person. With empathy comes | | | | performance, fooling many people. He is a masterful |
| compassion and respect for someone other than | | | | actor. People want to believe that the narcissist really |
| oneself. An empathic individual understands and | | | | cares about them, especially when he/she turns on |
| embraces what the other person is experiencing | | | | the magnetic charm and fixates all of his attention on |
| even though this has not been his life experience. | | | | you. There is always a reason why a narcissist |
| The roots of empathy begin in early childhood with | | | | extends himself to someone else. He is expecting |
| loving parents who are sensitive and responsive to | | | | you to fulfill his narcissistic supplies for admiration, |
| the needs of their child. The child experiences how | | | | business connections, money, the company of an |
| uniquely and deeply his parent(s) are capable of | | | | attractive man or woman, social status. |
| understanding how he feels. As the child develops, he | | | | When a narcissist is turning on the pseudo empathy |
| internalizes the love and care with which he was | | | | at full speed, remember that you are in charge: |
| treated. Parents teach their children by their example | | | | 1. Insist that the narcissist respect your personal |
| and directly that being attuned to the feelings of | | | | psychological boundaries |
| others is a valued characterlogical trait, an essential | | | | 2. Tune into your well honed intuition that will override |
| part of being a compassionate human being. There | | | | the narcissist's clever manipulations |
| are some individuals who were treated abusively or | | | | 3. Empower yourself as a unique human being of |
| neglected as children who are empathic adults. In | | | | value and integrity |
| some cases the child had a close relative---a | | | | 4. Be grateful---you have the capacity for empathy, |
| grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, a teacher who | | | | a gift that makes us fully human. |
| was empathic. From these special individuals the child | | | | |