Yes, that is the rub, when you're so wounded by victimization, it's hard to see beyond your own fingers and toes. I have used Jnana yoga to great effect to get a "bird's eye view" of my suffering, that is, Jnana yoga is a systematic process of renouncement of ego identification, and it helps greatly with breaking the cycles of our own thoughts and mental illusions dragging us down.
Empathy, on the other hand can be developed through Karma yoga, which is the yoga of selfless service to others without expectation of reward. Swami Vivekananda said that all four paths of orthodox yoga will bring a practitioner to spiritual freedom, but he placed special emphasis on Karma yoga for the benefits of selfless empathy that one develops, which is very much needed in this world! He saw that truth over a century ago, amazing!
thanks for all that wonderful information - I'm a beginner in the world of yoga - I used to think yoga was just Hatha yoga, asanas and the physical practice but as I started learning more I realized there is so much more! It is amazing to see yogis from so long ago having such insight and wisdom.. it baffles me how much knowledge the eastern world held long before the western world started trying to "scientifically" define everything. Funny how things are starting to match up, though!
I can recommend many things! Look into Sri Ramakrishna's works... he was Swami Vivekananda's teacher. Vivekananda was brilliant like a star, Ramakrishna was radiant like the sun :)
If you use discord you are more than welcome to contact me there becomingwhtur#8264
Blessings!
thank you very much!! I will be looking into these teachers!