Shallow vs. deep empathy

Basic reading of others' expressions

The ability to intuit the affective state of others stems directly from our own self-knowledge.

When we are able to identify our feelings, it is significantly easier to detect joy, anger or annoyance in those around us.

To achieve this reading, it is necessary to discard the false myths associated with extreme body postures, as they lack the scientific rigor to determine reliable emotions.

Instead, the focus should be on the micro-movements of the face, which reveal the undeniable truth about the well-being or discomfort of our interlocutor.

Detecting congruence in nonverbal expressions

One of the most decisive facial signals is the authenticity of friendly gestures.

A true sign of happiness involves the entire musculature of the face, generating contractions around the eyes that convey real warmth.

In contrast, a forced gesture that only moves the lips is unnatural, generating instant distrust and a sense of falseness in the observer.

However, immersion in another's psyche carries a latent risk: excessive assimilation of the other's pain.

Absorbing all the external sadness can be psychologically crushing, destroying our own stability if we do not establish clear protective boundaries in the face of others' problems.

Summary

Understanding the feelings of others depends on our own level of inner maturity. Close observation of faces reveals much more truth than simple body postures.

Distinguishing authentic gestures prevents deception or subtle manipulation. Genuine expressions mobilize diverse facial muscles, conveying deep trust to the immediate interlocutor.

Connecting deeply requires care in order to avoid totally unnecessary emotional wear and tear. Taking on other people's burdens without any precaution depletes our defenses and damages our own mental health.