is a concept I had not heard of until about 25 years ago when an expert in "learning to listen" taught a week-long course at our church.

The seminar was presented to those of us who wanted to learn how to minister to others with deep emotional pain. He taught us that it is so difficult to listen to another tell about their pain because that process invariably causes the listener to vividly recall their own deep pain.

A reasonably well-adjusted person will put themselves in that position only with great care and deep concern for that person.

I think that is what regularly happens on these forums, and I'm most grateful for this gift and resource!

Robert