A new study published in the journal Mindfulness has shown that a simple, two-minute meditative practice involving eye contact and contemplation of shared humanity—known as the “Just-Like-Me” meditation—can help strangers feel significantly closer, more compassionate, and even physiologically in sync with each other. The findings offer a potentially transformative tool for building social connection in an age defined by loneliness, polarization, and digital barriers, providing promising implications for workplaces, classrooms, and communities in Thailand and around the world (PsyPost).
At a time when social isolation has been recognized as a serious threat to health and societal well-being, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, interventions that can quickly foster genuine human connection are sorely needed. Thailand, like many countries, faces rising rates of reported loneliness across all age groups, from students experiencing school closures to the elderly who find themselves cut off from traditional social support networks (World Health Organization). The “Just-Like-Me” meditation emerges as a surprisingly accessible and evidence-based strategy to bridge interpersonal distance, with applications ranging from interpersonal relationships to conflict resolution and group cohesion.
The research, led by a team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, explored the effects of a dyadic meditation method that brings two people—often strangers—to sit together, gaze quietly into each other’s eyes, and inwardly recite phrases such as, “Just like me, this person has felt sadness, loneliness, and pain,” and “Just like me, this person longs for peace, love, and self-expression.” The practice is rooted in non-violent communication and loving kindness traditions, including those discussed by figures like the Dalai Lama, and has been used in workshops and experimental settings but rarely studied scientifically at this scale.
The study consisted of two separate trials. In the first, pairs of participants engaged virtually in the “Just-Like-Me” meditation or a simple silent gazing condition over Zoom. Each session lasted two minutes, after which participants reported their feelings of closeness, warmth, and generosity towards their partner, as well as how much hypothetical money they would share in a version of the dictator game—a common behavioral economics measure of prosociality. The second trial was conducted in-person and included a solitary breath-focused meditation as an additional control; physiological data like heart rate synchrony was also collected.
Results across both studies were striking: after just two minutes, participants in the “Just-Like-Me” meditation reported feeling much closer to their partner—a magnitude of change described by the authors as around one standard deviation, which is unusually large for such a brief intervention. Warmth and perceptions of the partner’s attractiveness and potential as a friend also increased. Interestingly, participants also demonstrated greater generosity in the social game, allocating more money to their partner than typical baselines, suggesting that the exercise not only changed internal feelings but also outward behaviors.
A particularly fascinating finding was the synchrony observed between participants. Webcam analysis in the virtual trials showed that pairs who did the gaze-based meditation ended up smiling at the same moments—so-called “smile synchrony” —which in turn predicted stronger feelings of togetherness. In person, heart rates among meditation pairs rose and fell in harmony. While the physiological data were measured at relatively coarse intervals, the results suggest that shared mindful attention can foster alignment not just emotionally but physically—a phenomenon known from prior research to be associated with trust, empathy, and cooperation (Nature Human Behaviour).
Expert commentary from the study’s lead author, director at the Human Sexuality and Well-Being Project, noted the need for scientifically validated tools to help heal divides and foster connection—even among groups or individuals who do not initially feel kinship. As the author commented, many people, particularly in polarized societies, tend to dehumanize “the other side”—whether in politics, religion, or social identity. The “Just-Like-Me” meditation is intended to cut through these divisions by highlighting our shared human struggles and aspirations.
In the Thai context, these findings are especially relevant. Thailand’s rich tradition of mindfulness and meditation, with roots in Buddhist practice, provides fertile cultural ground for such interventions. Eye-gazing and direct contemplation, while not common in every social setting due to norms regarding eye contact and social hierarchy, could be carefully adapted for use in schools, workplaces, and community groups to strengthen ties and mutual understanding. Thai educators and psychologists already incorporate mindfulness in curricula to reduce bullying and improve emotional well-being, but most practices remain individual-focused rather than dyadic or interpersonal (Bangkok Post).
Leading Thai psychologists from top universities have long advocated for enhanced social-emotional learning, citing rising rates of youth isolation and conflict as a national concern. The “Just-Like-Me” meditation could fill a practical gap, providing a structured exercise to practice empathy actively rather than simply discussing it. For example, in restorative justice settings—sometimes used in Thai schools for conflict mediation—a brief dyadic meditation could help disputing parties acknowledge their shared humanity before dialogue or reconciliation.
The study also highlights a potential downside: some participants found the experience awkward or emotionally intense, especially in mixed-gender pairs where increased perceived attractiveness might be an undesired side effect. The researchers stress the importance of voluntary participation and careful facilitation, especially in workplace or professional settings. For Thais who may be culturally uncomfortable with prolonged direct eye contact, modifications might include focusing on another neutral feature or visualizing the exercise instead.
The historical parallels are intriguing. Thai Buddhist culture has long emphasized “metta bhavana” (loving kindness meditation), which encourages the development of goodwill towards oneself and others through silent phrases and visualization (Wikipedia). The “Just-Like-Me” method adds a face-to-face component that may intensify the effects of loving kindness by fostering nonverbal and physiological synchrony.
Looking toward the future, the research team is exploring adaptations in romantic partnership counseling, restorative justice, youth gang intervention, and even community bridge-building to address political or ethnic divides. In Bangkok, where diverse communities coexist and polarization can flare along political or generational lines, structured practices like this could become an important component of civic dialogue initiatives. The straightforward instructions—no equipment, no lengthy training required—make it feasible for schools, NGOs, and health promotion campaigns to pilot or adapt, particularly as digital platforms and hybrid learning accelerate.
Practical steps for interested Thai readers could include trying the meditation with a friend, family member, or trusted colleague, starting with gentle prompts: “Just like me, this person has hopes and struggles,” or “Just like me, this person desires happiness and relief from suffering.” Those in leadership, teaching, or counseling roles might consider bringing the technique into group settings, while adapting guidelines to conform with local customs around eye contact and personal space. Even for those uncomfortable with direct gaze, the internal act of imagining another’s experience can cultivate empathy and openness.
As the lead researcher suggests, connection and understanding are deeply human needs, often neglected in the rush of daily life or in the anonymity of large cities like Bangkok. The “Just-Like-Me” gaze meditation offers a route to reclaim this lost sense of solidarity—backed not just by tradition, but now by robust scientific evidence.
For Thais seeking to strengthen their communities, heal divisions, or simply experience a moment of genuine connection, this surprisingly simple practice may be worth a try, even if it feels challenging at first. In the words of a participating researcher, “Pushing through resistance may pay off in beautiful ways. It’s ok to laugh and giggle when starting out. Just keep at it and observe the effects.”
For further reading, consult the original study summary at PsyPost, as well as relevant overviews of loneliness and social connection from the World Health Organization, and perspectives on Thai mindfulness practices from Wikipedia and the Bangkok Post.