What it is
Empathy is not agreement. It is the ability to remain open enough to sense another person's experience without immediately reducing it to your own perspective.
Most people listen in order to respond, defend, explain, or compare.
Empathy begins when attention softens enough to genuinely perceive another human being.
The practice
During a conversation today, try listening without immediately preparing your response.
Instead of asking: "How do I explain myself?"
Ask:
What might this person be feeling right now?
What are they trying to communicate beneath the words?
What changes when I simply stay present and listen?
You do not need to fix, rescue, or solve the other person.
Sometimes feeling understood already changes the interaction.