How Empathy Can Heal Suffering and Lead to Aha-Moments

Written by: Bill Sherman on Friday, 9 June 2006, 10:59 PM

This morning, I shared an hour chatting with Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist. He’s a genuinely warm and a very wise man who has treated people considering suicide. He has also served as a hostage negotiator.

He told me an amazing story about an experience he had while treating a patient who was contemplating suicide. His story is very human (and very beautiful), and it perfectly illustrates how aha-moments change how people perceive the world and interact with others.

I’d say that both both he and his patient both experienced their own aha-moments. Rather than retell this story, I encourage you to read “To Hell and Back” yourself.

We all have, within us, the ability to connect with others through empathy. When we empathize with someone, we allow ourselves to view the world through their eyes and not ours. These fresh perspectives can lead to an aha-moments.

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