In this video, Gerhard Rothaupt asks the question: Can empathy create new things?
His view is that a miracle can come from hearing and accepting each other. He calls it the miracle of empathy. He cites the education of his children as an example. If his children argue – especially verbally with words, then he steps in as a father. The result is that one of his children feels disadvantaged, less loved. Even a complete argument does not change that. When he then approaches with the sensitive listening to resolve the injustice – the miracle happens. On the one hand, he realizes that his child has his own reality. And that this does not have to match the truth of the parent. In a coexistence, everyone is ok as they are. Everyone has their perception and thus their reality. A good relationship is characterized by the fact that we do not side with one another in a conflict, but rather improve our relationship with empathy and understand what is important to the other.
Nevertheless, Rothaupt points to the Empathiefalle. It is characterized by the fact that we feel responsible for the feelings of our counterparts. That we blame ourselves, because the other is doing the way he does. And then we forget the empathy for ourselves. Because without self-empathy, any coexistence is difficult. Taking time for communication – this is Rothaupt's impulse to the listeners. Those who take their time can feel in themselves and the other, and in this way they can recognize and accept the two truths.
Finally, Sabine Mariss sings the song: Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. A very touching performance, which gives the listener the opportunity to let what is heard to have an effect.