Overview
Every person has the capacity for a deep empathic understanding of another. Yet, our historical, sociological and cultural influences all too often separate us from the deeper knowing and appreciation of our differences and our oneness. The Empathy, Diversity & Inclusion Group process uncovers the imprints of our unique history, which have created obstructions in our ability to have compassion and understanding of one another. It also brings forth the wisdom stored within our consciousness that can deeply unify us.
This program uses the tool of Eidetic Imagery to facilitate a deep racial, faith, gender, and multicultural understanding through empathy. This process deepens the work of diversity training by adding the imagination. Through a process of mental imagery, we can use our deep, underlying imaginative powers to move past the constraints of language and dialogue and access the universal elements that run through the collective human experience.
For many years, groups of differing gender, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds have come together in an effort to understand prejudice. These groups have created a working environment imbued with common respect and understanding, but still have struggled with the constraints of dialogue.
Details
& Objectives
Why are so many atrocities still committed across the world based upon differences in race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity? And how does this historical global prejudice prevail in overt and subtle ways in our places of employment, in our neighborhoods, our schools, our politics and in every aspect of our daily lives?
The quest for understanding has typically followed a path of dialogue – people talking with one another in the hopes of coming to a shared understanding of each other’s experience. This dialogue has taken the forms of books, movies, documentary films, and public speeches. It has been incorporated into corporate seminars and diversity trainings. While verbal dialogue can bring about changes, it provides only a limited understanding. Dialogue is useful in beginning the quest, but true understanding— in fact true connection— is found in the empathic power of the imagination.
The technology of Eidetic Imagery utilizes the power of the imagination to tap into our deepest wellspring of empathy. Eidetic images – snapshots in the mind we all collect through our personal experience, the experience of others, media and history – allow us to bear witness to the suffering in our own heritage and ultimately the suffering of others. These tools allow us to experientially see, feel and know the experience of another culture, race or ethnicity. This allows for a greater sense of oneness, while dismantling the illusory notions that divide us.
Increase empathy in relationships for positive culture, team building and successful outcomes.
Bring compelling shifts of perception that reduce prejudice and conflict, increase coherence.
Uncover remedial and reconciling solutions from within the psyche of diverse participants.
Create deep group bonding and positive sense of inclusion, belonging and connection.
Increase each participant’s sense of competence and esteem.
Cultivate leadership ability through unlocking authenticity and compassion.
Expand creative solutions.
Reduce stress and enhances well-being within each participant.
THE PROCESS
Group participants sit in a circle facing each other and are guided through a series of imagery exercises that allow them to step into the experience of another, thus bringing awareness and empathy of the other person’s painful experience. Through the shared images arising from the within the group, spontaneous healings emerge and separative perceptions are overcome. The process creates a deeply bonding and congruent experience, bringing fresh insights and deeper understanding.
Eidetic Imagery makes visible the architecture of the psyche releasing energy for personal, professional, organizational, and societal growth and development. Jackie Sussman’s compassion and empathy combined with the depth and breadth of her experience and knowledge is allowing me to realize and live into my full potential.
Meryl Marshall-Daniels, Former Vice Chair of the Television Academy
Eidetic Imagery has helped me uncover things I never realized. With Jackie's guidance, I have been able to tap into my inner strength and reach new levels, both personally and professionally. It is a process that has helped me learn my truth and have the confidence to live it every day.
HOLLIE DELANEY, CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES AT ZAPPOS.COM, INC.
Eidetic imagery has helped me to see myself through other people's eyes — a technique that's been invaluable in all relationships, especially the workplace. Even people who have a lot of self-insight can begin to understand their own motivations, behaviors, and desires on a much deeper level — "it unfolds like a movie." We all get stuck in ways we're not fully aware of. Eidetic imagery reconnects you to your most authentic source of strength. Overall, it is the most powerful tool that I've experienced for becoming aware of one’s self and of others — bringing great insight into how to best succeed in my interactions.