[\u2018further on ‘In-Group Creates Out-Group?<\/a>\u2019]<\/p>\n \u201cHow numerous the living beings may be, I pledge to liberate (from suffering) them all.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is one of four Buddhist \u2018vows of the Bodhisattva.\u2019<\/p>\n Not being an adept of Buddhism, I find in it a lot of ancient wisdom.<\/p>\n One night, the \u2018Buddha\u2019 sneaked out like a reverse thief, not waking up his wife and little kid for fear of not having the guts to say \u2018goodbye forever.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n Hmm.<\/p>\n Does universal empathy run counter to caring for the in-group?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Is it not a Utopia, a completely unproductive and even silly chimera? Meanwhile, if all in-groupers take care for their own kin, everybody will be taken care for in a natural way, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n Are humans not parochial creatures by nature?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Yes we are but no, we are at first place very flexible<\/em> creatures. We can feel empathy to close kin and<\/em> to a much broader group at the same time. Even to all sentient beings.<\/p>\n It always starts within<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n True empathy starts in depth. A total person is needed to feel it. If not, then it\u2019s \u2018weak\u2019 empathy and may get a hard surface (for instance if not reciprocated). It\u2019s brittle and prone to empathizer\u2019s burnout.<\/p>\n This may lead to an in-group >< out-group orientation<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n with in-group-emotions of loyalty, authority, sanctity\u2026 that heighten in-group cohesion at the expense of out-group-ward \u2018hostility\u2019 (from seeing \u2018them\u2019 as mere strangers, to a downright threat). I call this: us-them-ing<\/em>.<\/p>\n One can invite depth, not enforce it.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Very important on the road to universal empathy: if people feel enforced, they get internal resistance and an even more in-group feeling as a straightforward defense. Us-them-ing lies right behind the corner.<\/p>\n Contrary to the latter, universal empathy does not<\/em> stand opposed to in-group thinking. Still, the universal empathizer may lack dedication<\/em> to an in-group. Resources are limited. In-group demands may be incompatible with grander causes. In many cases, this discrepancy cannot be solved by one individual.<\/p>\n Should it?<\/p>\n In comes group-level universal empathy.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Here one could make a distinction between \u2018inward-bound group\u2019 (IBG) and \u2018outward-bound group\u2019 (OBG). They specifically differ in how members are \u2018grouped\u2019. An IBG groups them mainly in opposition to<\/em> the out-group (us-them-ing). An OBG of course also needs group cohesion. Otherwise it won\u2019t be a group for long. But an OBG does not<\/em> derive its cohesive energy from opposition.<\/p>\n One advantage is that it needs to find its cohesion elsewhere, such as: in universal empathy<\/em> at group level, as a specific goal of the group itself, a \u2013 very \u2013 substantial element of its mission. This is why a clear and far reaching mission statement is super important.<\/p>\n Now, it may surprise you not that it is mainly the members who then shape such a group, through personal effort.<\/p>\n Completing the circle.<\/p>\n Universal empathy does not mean \u2018giving it all away.\u2019<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n An ego can do so, shouting \u201cLook what I do!\u201d Contrary to this, universal empathy is but a readiness to do what one thinks is best for all, including for oneself as a total person. Thus, it is foremost a striving towards expansion of consciousness [see \u2018Expansion of Consciousness<\/a>\u2019].<\/p>\n That is: filling the own bucket until it spontaneously overflows.<\/p>\n Another advantage: a more natural coming together of OBGs.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I don\u2019t say \u201ca miracle happens.\u201d<\/p>\n But at least, OBGs don\u2019t succumb to internal underlying rivalry etc. Depending on the members\u2019 quality, OBGs kind of \u2018spontaneously\u2019 \u2013 after a lot of work \u2013 tend to coalesce…<\/p>\n towards a better world.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n