Empathizing with Anger

Greetings, Friends,

I recently received this and wanted to share it with you all. Your comments are welcome!

Jim

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Jim
I find myself confused about a question I had recently asked at a practice group on the topic of anger. The question went something like, is it advisable to identify anger as a feeling in an empathy pass to some one that is angry? I’m wondering if there is a willingness to have an email dialogue over this topic.
Respectfully,
Poner

Poner,
I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on your question.

First, I want to get clarity on what my intention is in offering an "empathy pass". For its crystal brevity, I enjoy Marshall's definition of empathy as "a respectful understanding of another person's experience." So when I'm empathizing with another, that's the quality of connection I am aspiring to. How do you feel reading that?

Secondly, I'm guessing that you are wanting information on using the word "anger" in a verbal reflection of empathy, such as, "are you feeling angry because you have a need for respect that isn't met in this situation?" Poner, I wonder if you are feeling concerned around the well-being of the speaker, perhaps wanting to protect them from their feeling of anger? Or are you wanting to support the speaker in deeper self connection? I'm trying to connect with your understanding of "advisable". Did I get it?