@editor
At first, Greetings!
Again a Thoughtful quote Sire! Dalai Lama!
Learned a lot from him. His life lessons are worth mentioning. Really a nice one.
It is difficult to understand an individual emotionally. For me, empathy means the ability to feel others situation or point of view. It is like putting yourself in someone else's position. Which can seem difficult in some point.
But, communication and understanding each other emotionally can keep the fence apart. I think sometimes we forget the Empathic Concern which can be more beneficial in some context.
Feeling the pain and sufferings of others in the same way is not as simple as that.
However, many thinks it is folly to think of empathy and stuff; living in a social, cultural and economic context which only gives disappointment. But I like your point of view.
I think that's the thing which is keeping us together as well as it is like planting a tree, that blooms and spreads the aroma of peace and joy of giving!
Thank you for fringing forth this important and thoughtful topic up front.
And yes, the 12 sentence thing is awesome. Nice pic Mr. Editor and of course Mr. Wordsmith.
Peace!