Another Self: How Your Body Helps You Understand Others

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.
Do you wince when you see someone stub their toe, feel your throat tighten when a friend cries, or know what someone is going to say just before they say it? New evidence reveals that this tendency to 'catch' others' emotional and physiological condition is not merely a quirk of a few sensitive individuals but is a fundamental aspect of human intelligence; that feeling with others is an ancient strategy for predicting the intentions of others.
This newfound appreciation for somatic empathy has implications in many domains—mental and physical health, animal welfare, and personal wellbeing. Understanding how somatic empathy impacts on us day to day without our knowing enables us to optimise empathy while sidestepping the perils secondary trauma, overwhelm, and burnout. Be prepared to reassess your sense of self, your relationships, your occupation, and your choice of entertainment.

"Another Self excels at making complex scientific research accessible without diluting its depth, blending rigorous study with rich, relatable examples that illuminate ways our bodies shape our psyche and social world." —Elevate Society

“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.”
–Nick Goldsmith, Ex-Royal Commando and bestselling author of Rewild Your Mind.

"Another Self reminds us how connected we are with each other and also with non-human animals through somatic empathy which can work much faster than conscious thinking and moves us at a deeper level. This book is an excellent overview of the subject which combines scientific research with personal experience and vivid examples. I much enjoyed reading it and my copy is full of pencilled notes."
—Rupert Sheldrake, PhD, biologist, bestselling author of The Presence of the Past

"Great book!"
—Nick Pole, author of Words That Touch

“A truly astounding book. Beautifully written and deeply researched, Another Self should be read by every doctor, nurse, therapist, bodyworker and complementary medicine practitioner.”
—Peter Deadman, founder and editor of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, co-author of The Manual of Acupuncture and author of Live Well, Live Long.

“I wish everyone were familiar with the information in this book, but I especially recommend that every bodyworker read this book.”
—Karen Elisa, Board President, AOBTA.

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Part 1: Minded Bodies
Noticing Danger
The Unconscious is Dead
Part 2: Experimental Studies
Doing What Others Do
Feeling How Others Feel
Thinking How Others Think
Part 3: Ways & Means
Our Mind’s Best Guess
Embodied Perception
Signals From Others
Bringing the Outside In
The Control Dial
How We Use Our Body to Understand Others
Part 4: Ramifications
Each to Their Own
Dire Warnings
Opportunities and Applications
Future-proofing
References

In praise of Cindy Engel's previous books:
WASHINGTON POST [Craig Stotlz] "highly readable...more outside the double-helix thoughts about human health than anything I've read recently."
SCIENCE "Well referenced and entertaining"
JANE GOODALL "Absolutely enthralling!"
TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT "work of some scholarship!"

Dr Cindy Engel is a rare 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.