Overview

Why does your nervous system register other people's pain and distress as your own? Why might your dentist make more mistakes when you are fearful? How does your dog know when you are unwell? Why does your heart rate synchronise with the person you are listening to? Another Self explains why we sometimes take on the physical, emotional, and even mental states of others. In this book-the first overview of somatic empathy-Dr Cindy Engel brings together research into social perception and interpersonal physiology to explain how and why our thoughts and feelings are not always entirely our own. New evidence reveals that this tendency to 'catch' others' emotional and physiological condition is not merely a quirk of sensitive individuals but a fundamental aspect of human intelligence: feeling with others is an ancient strategy reaching back into our evolutionary past enabling us to predict their intentions. Understanding how somatic empathy works and that it affects us without our knowing, enables us to sidestep the perils of taking on another self (vicarious harm, overwhelm, and burnout) while optimising our comprehension of ourselves and others.Be prepared to reassess your sense of self, your relationships, your occupation, and your choice of entertainment.

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9781800492806

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Reviews

"""With Another Self Cindy Engel has written a truly astounding book. Its simple message is that we are all connected and affect each other - physically, emotionally and psychologically - in ways that we are barely aware of. Beautifully written and deeply researched, it should be read by every doctor, nurse, therapist, bodyworker and complementary medicine practitioner - indeed by everyone interested in the marvel of human and inter-species communication and how it can be harnessed to comfort, understand and heal."" Peter Deadman, founder-editor of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, author of A Manual of Acupuncture, and Live Well Live Long. ""I couldn't put this down! Cindy masterfully guides us through the intricate science of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the profound connections we forge at a deep, human level. This is especially crucial for individuals grappling with PTSD, offering them vital insights. Her exploration leads us to a transformative understanding of the world we inhabit. Encompassing global, diverse cultural, historical, and spiritual themes, this book is designed to inspire and strengthen everyone who delves into it."" Nick Goldsmith, ex Royal marine commando and bestselling author of Rewild Your Mind an aid to recovery from PTSD. ""If one single author could be credited with bridging the gap between the Eastern and Western understanding of the body-mind - my vote would go to Cindy Engel with her a unique depth of understanding and personal experience of bodywork and mammalian biology. Another Self is a wonderfully validating book explaining in depth the mechanisms behind the intuitive experiences which we therapists rely upon but have not previously been able to fully understand. A must read."" Cliff Andrews International Shiatsu Teacher and co-founder of the Shiatsu College UK and the New Energy Work project which aims to connect modern research with traditional medicine."

Author Information

Dr Cindy Engel is a unique combination of research biologist, author, and bodywork therapist - on a mission to understand the interplay of mind and body. As well as writing in peer-reviewed academic journals, she is the author of the definitive book on animal self-medication, 'Wild Health: how animals keep themselves well and what we might learn from them'. This book topped the prestigious Berkeley popular science list and is still popular and influential after 20 years in print. Her insights and expertise have led to interviews and articles being published in The New Scientist, The Financial Times Weekend, The Mail on Sunday, and The Ecologist. She was also the science consultant and a contributor for BBC Radio 4's series 'Murder, Magic & Medicine'. Cindy has been an Associate Lecturer at The Open University for over 30 years, and she lives and works in rural Suffolk, England.

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