Inter-Subjectivity (alternate term):  "This term refers to the status of being somehow accessible to at least two (usually all, in principle) minds or 'subjectivities'. It thus implies that there is some sort of communication between those minds; which in turn implies that each communicating minds aware not only of the existence of the other but also of its intention to convey information to the other. The idea, for theorists, is that if subjective processes can be brought into agreement, then perhaps that is as good as the (unattainable?) status of being objective - completely independent of subjectivity. The question facing such theorists is whether inter-subjectivity is definable without presupposing an objective environment in which communication takes place (the 'wiring' from subject A to subject B). At a less fundamental level, however, the need for inter-subjective verification of scientific hypotheses has been long recognized". (The Oxford Companion to Philosophy--1995)

  Contrasting Empathy with Other Phenomena:  One must be careful not to confuse empathy with either sympathy, emotional contagion or mind reading. Sympathy is the feeling of compassion for another, the wish to see them better or happier, often described as "feeling sorry" for someone. Emotional contagion is when a person (especially a child or a person in a mob) identifies with strong emotions others are showing and becomes subject to the same emotions themselves. Mind reading is a controversial paranormal phenomenon, which differs in that empathy is based (so far as is presently known) not upon the paranormal but upon sophisticated processing of what is seen and heard in the usual way. (from Wikipedia--Empathy)

The Ultimate Consoler's Movie:  "POWDER"  Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Mary Steenburgen, Jeff Goldblum, Lance Henriksen.  

"Have you ever listened to people from the inside?  Listened so close you can hear their thoughts--and all their memories?" 

  "The Stolen Child"  This article applies equally to both intuitive feelers and Imagineers.  These traits usually show up in youth, and they are either embraced, shunned, exalted, or driven underground--dependent upon how safe an environment is established in the Family of Origin.   

  "Taking Over the Family Business:  Star Kids and Empathic Healing":  An article which was originally written for Children of the New Earth Magazine.  It seems that our New Kids are so intent upon making sure that WE "get it"......as parents....that they will often wear our "shadows" for us, until we are ready to own them overselves. 

  "Star Kids, Dolphins, and Whales"--The manner in which Consoler's process reality is not too dissimilar to the way Dolphins and Whales communicate in the waters of Earth.

 Empathy and Animals:  Some students of animal behavior claim that empathy is not restricted to humans as the definition implies. Examples include dolphins saving humans from drowning or from shark attacks, and a multitude of behaviors observed in primates, both in captivity and in the wild. See, for instance, the popular book The Ape and the Sushi Master by Frans de Waal.  (from Wikipedia)