Magic Forums

So if anyone remembers my previous post I was asking about people and emotions and we talked about empathy being the most likely possibility. So my best friend is my Guinea pig (metaphorically) and we discovered I can read people kinda well but through physical contact (like holding hands) here's my problem.
I genuinely cannot control whatever this is. The last time I tried to use it I got my best friend to focus on a single thought or memory and keep looping it without telling me what, and no matter what I tried I could faintly hear his voice in my head but not distinct words. I've tried a couple of techniques you guys suggested last time but nothing has changed and I dont know what to do. I can randomly read people (handed someone my phone and our fingers touched and I immediately got their feelings as clear as day) but when I do anything else with intent it fails me. Does anyone know what to do here