I am not really a regular practitioner of meditation per say but this is how i feel – my mind sorta slows down a bit, i dont do the breathe in, breathe out thing, mine is more of an active type of meditation – like i listen to some kind of music and focus on that or just do some flow type work – sometimes i just keep walking and sort of flowing into the moment. The empathy is already there within us, meditation is just a way for you to kind of get closer to your inner clarity. It helps you to deal with your own negativity better – like developing an efficient toxin flushing mechanism and over time..The calmer you are, the better you can deal with life and others, right? Its a slow, subtle change but over time, your energy changes. Its not at all about ignoring others cuz we get all omg, so positive and awesome and radiant and spiritual super saiyan blast – rather its about getting closer to what we really have in common and what can be done – a sort of opening up of perception and the feeling aspect – mind and heart together.