Review of “The Genius of Empathy” by Judith Orloff, MD (foreword by The Dali Lama)

According to NY Times bestselling psychiatrist Judith Orloff MD, empathy is a superpower that can transform your life, your relationships, and the world. In her new book “The Genius of Empathy” (with foreword by The Dalai Lama) Dr. Orloff shows readers how to ignite and embody the emotional intelligence of empathy as a daily healing practice.

“The Genius of Empathy” shows readers ways to tap into the gift of their sensitivities without being drained. You will learn to soothe your nervous system and stop absorbing others’ emotions. It’s a practical, action-driven guide for highly sensitive people and for those who want to develop empathy as a healing skill.

The book is divided into three sections. It begins with the magic of empathy to find greater self-love and healing–including from trauma. Subsequent chapters teach you how to apply empathy to your relationships, communities, and the world. Exploring each chapter’s practices, you’ll learn the art of empathic listening, how to stop overthinking, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries and showing loving detachment to prevent overwhelm and compassion fatigue.

Throughout the book, psychiatrist and empath, Dr. Orloff uses insights from neuroscience, psychology, and energy medicine to teach readers how to use and amplify their empathy without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll learn:

· What is your most comfortable empathy style

· Techniques to enhance self-empathy and healthy giving

· How to stop overthinking to prevent empathy burnout

· How to set healthy boundaries in relationships, including if you are a caregiver

· How to use empathic communication and leadership skills at work and in your personal life

· How to show empathy for others even when you don’t like them or agree with them

· How to recognize and protect yourself from people with “empathy-deficient disorder” such as narcissists, sociopaths and bullies

Each chapter has compelling anecdotes of how Dr. Orloff’s patients enhanced their lives with this book’s techniques. “Cultivating empathy is a kind of peaceful warrior training,” says Dr. Orloff. “You will learn to be both strong and loving, neither a pushover nor rigid. Wherever you are in your life, this book can meet you there and lift you higher.”

Reviewed by Ronald Alexander, PhD author of “Core Creativity”

Judith Orloff, MD is a psychiatrist, an empath, and NY Times bestselling author of the new book The Genius of Empathy, which offers powerful skills to tap into empathy as a daily healing practice in your life and relationships. She also wrote The Empath’s Survival Guide and Thriving as an Empath. Dr. Orloff is a UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty member. She synthesizes the pearls of conventional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality. Dr. Orloff specializes in treating highly sensitive people in her private practice. She has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times. Come to one of Dr. Orloff’s book tour events listed at at www.drjudithorloff.com .