Being an Empath

[The Madame X]

[zhiva]

Who Is An Empath? - Christel Broederlow

Empaths are often poets in motion. They are the born writers, singers, and artists with a high degree of creativity and imagination. They are known for many talents as their interests are varied, broad and continual, loving, loyal and humorous. They often have interests in many cultures and view them with a broad-minded perspective. They are mother, father, child, friend, nurse, caregiver, teacher, doctor, sales people... to psychic, clairvoyant, healer, etc. (That is not to say that any of these categories are all empaths.) The list is extensive and really unimportant. It is more important to notice that empaths are everywhere--in every culture and throughout the world.

Empaths are often very affectionate in personality and _expression, great listeners and counselors (and not just in the professional area). They will find themselves helping others and often putting their own needs aside to do so. In the same breath, they can be much the opposite. They may be quiet, withdrawn from the outside world, loners, depressed, neurotic, lifeís daydreamers, or even narcissistic.

They are most often passionate towards nature and respect its bountiful beauty. One will often find empaths enjoying the outdoors, beaches, walking, etc. Empaths may find themselves continually drawn to nature as a form of release. It is the opportune place to recapture their senses and gain a sense of peace in the hectic lives they may live. The time to get away from it all and unwind with nature becomes essential to the empath. Animals are often dear to the heart of empaths, not as a power object, but as a natural love. It is not uncommon for empaths to have more than one pet in their homes.

Traits of an Empath

Empaths are often quiet and can take a while to handle a compliment for they're more inclined to point out another's positive attributes. They are highly expressive in all areas of emotional connection, and talk openly, and, at times, quite frankly in respect to themselves. They may have few problems talking about their feelings.

However, they can be the exact opposite: reclusive and apparently unresponsive at the best of times. They may even appear ignorant. Some are very good at blocking out others and that's not always a bad thing, at least for the learning empath struggling with a barrage of emotions from others, as well as their own feelings.

Empaths have a tendency to openly feel what is outside of them more so than what is inside of them. This can cause empaths to ignore their own needs. In general an empath is non-violent, non-aggressive and leans more towards being the peacemaker. Any area filled with disharmony creates an uncomfortable feeling in an empath. If they find themselves in the middle of a confrontation, they will endeavor to settle the situation as quickly as possible, if not avoid it all together. If any harsh words are expressed in defending themselves, they will likely resent their lack of self-control, and have a preference to peacefully resolve the problem quickly.

Empaths are sensitive to TV, videos, movies, news and broadcasts. Violence or emotional dramas depicting shocking scenes of physical or emotional pain inflicted on adults, children or animals can bring an empath easily to tears. At times, they may feel physically ill or choke back the tears. Some empaths will struggle to comprehend any such cruelty, and will have grave difficulty in expressing themselves in the face of another's ignorance, closed-mindedness and obvious lack of compassion. They simply cannot justify the suffering they feel and see.

People of all walks of life and animals are attracted to the warmth and genuine compassion of empaths. Regardless of whether others are aware of one being empathic, people are drawn to them as a metal object is to a magnet! They are like beacons of light.

Even complete strangers find it easy to talk to empaths about the most personal things, and before they know it, they have poured out their hearts and souls without intending to do so consciously. It is as though on a sub-conscious level that person knows instinctively that empaths would listen with compassionate understanding.

Here are the listeners of life. Empaths are often problem solvers, thinkers, and studiers of many things. As far as empaths are concerned, where a problem is, so too is the answer. They often will search until they find one--if only for peace of mind.

Written By Christel Broederlow Copyright (c) 2002 Christel Broederlow Shortened Version from The Empath Report 101

[LadyJaneWelsh]

I have been reading a lot about empathic abilities so I can understand my own and i why i've been feeling sick and run down around crowds. It's funny how many sites mess up the information and confuse empaths with psi vamps. Empaths are sympathetic and react to emotions of others, but react with our own emotions. Psy vamps drain energy from others.

I have a feeling, that in crowds, my shielding is not working so well because i'm over tired from working so much lately, i'm taking on everyone elses emotions and feeding everyone else around me from the emotional energy i'm feeling. Then I get so drained i am feeding on everything i can - electronics, the elements, pranic, tantric and very rare meat - i'm more eclectic on what i can feed on. I need to find a better way to shield and a better balance of feeding so i'm not such a yo-yo! i'm going for acupuncture this week - julie (my acupuncturist) can help open my chakras and help me get centered to see if that helps me focus better.

The past 3 months, my empathic abilities have grown quickly .Any other suggestions on dealing with this?

[The Madame X]

Right now you are a sponge.
Be a sieve.

[LadyJaneWelsh]

lol no kidding! I'm trying to figure out how! Sheesh!

It's like telling someone they need a code to post an image for html and then not giving the the code or how to use the code!

[Syngin]

Ladt Jane try to disassociate or what I call splitting in two. I have found it is a good way to use the energy of highly emotional or stressful situations without it hurting me. You just slow down and see the situation as a third person. Its hard to explain it's like going astral and watching yourself in a dream. Geez now that I've confused you and myself....

[zhiva]

What I do is vent the energy. I also have those times where due to stress, overwork, or just lack of attention to myself that I let my shield weaken and I absorb everything around good and bad. Venting can be done a variety of ways in accordance to what is practical and what suits the individual. My favorite and what seems to work the best for me is getting out in the yard at night barefoot and connecting with the Earth, centering with ujayi breathing (a breath technique I learned in yoga class) and sending all of my energy to the ground. Then, when I have released it all, drawing up energy from the ground through all of my chakras until I feel reenergized. Such involved practice isn't always practical so the same thing can be done inside, or with a foot bath or even a shower, but for me I find going to the Earth to be the best.

Then there are those situations that are repetitive, like dealing with our families or co-workers. I find that if i have difficulty shielding around a specific person, or I can't disconnect from them empathically, that free-writing helps to get a bigger picture of the issue that needs to be resolved.

[LadyJaneWelsh]

Thank you for your suggestions - I'll try those!
I bought a book that is actually helping me with all of this - Toltec Wisdom by don Miguel Ruiz. I also picked up two other books of his: The mastery of love, and The Four Agreements. So far, they are all quite interesting! There is a lot about transforming emotions and changing negative energy into positive energy.

There are also great questions:
Can you think of some beliefs that have been draining your energy?
Can you identify some behaviors that are sucking you dry?
Do you see any ways that you have been giving away your power to others?

Great questions, aren't they?

[LadyJaneWelsh]

[doreanne_shade]

Under stress - awareness is heightened as well as empathic
abilities.. It is best to pause - and go back to the
emotions you experienced before the negative ones surfaced - then
detach.

I am so glad this was bumped up. I used to hate the empathic side of me. it would become to strong, draining me and caused me to have emotinal moments where I was frozen, lost in the moment. Thank you for pulling this article back out. It was beautifully written and very informative.

[DarkRed]

What I have noticed with my empathy is I am a "physical" empath, for instance, if someone was projecting an emotion to me, I will physically feel this. Such as an intimate emotion, I will feel a "tug" around the sacral and base chakras.

It has taken a lot of time, and this is still at work in progress, to correlate what I feel as to what I am picking up from others.

[Wulfsunus]

[Aneishka]

My abilities are odd. If I am psychically linked to someone (which I currently am) their emotional states are the easiest to sense. I have it down to when they are thinking about me as well.. But I can sense the emotions of my sire if we are just chatting online. Then there is the ability to feel emotions while reading someone but being able to push myself away from continuously feeling their emotions....so confusing at times.

[lady_sequanna]

What type of shielding do you consider the most effective to allow us to differentiate what is our own and what we are picking up? i dont mean completely blocking it out, just controlling it better.