You are talking to someone –
You are hearing what the person is sharing with you – an experience of a broken relationship full of control, rage, and gaslighting.
You start feeling the same emotions as the person and are reliving their words as your own. That is what empaths do…..they can feel the other person’s emotions as their own sometimes reliving as their own.
Empathy stands as a bridge connecting souls, allowing us to feel and understand the emotions of others. However, for some, this connection extends beyond mere understanding—it becomes an immersive experience, a sensation akin to tuning into various emotional frequencies like a radio receiver.
Throughout my years as a spiritual coach, I’ve encountered numerous individuals who are highly empathetic. They need to realize that the emotions they feel at times might not always be their own – this realization is both helpful and consuming.
In this extensive discourse, we’ll delve into this phenomenon, drawing insights from texts, psychological studies, and personal experiences.
What is Empathy?
Like I Shared, Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It means that when you see someone suffering, such as the loss of a dear one, you can instantly picture yourself going through that same experience and feel what they are going through.
Though some people can be familiar with their feelings and emotions for others it could be a wee bit difficult.
On the positive – Empathy is the deep ability to step into someone else’s shoes and experience their emotions, perspectives, and struggles. It’s the cornerstone of compassion, advancing deeper connections and understanding among individuals.
However, for some empaths, this natural gift transcends normal boundaries. They not only understand but also absorb and mirror the emotions of those around them. Imagine an antenna, receiving signals not just from its immediate vicinity but from afar, tuning into a multitude of emotional frequencies. That’s how Empaths are!
Let’s look at it as an example, Imagine walking into a room and suddenly feeling an inexplicable surge of sadness or joy without any apparent trigger. For empaths, this scenario is all too familiar. The heightened sensitivity to energies allows them to absorb and reflect the emotional states of others, sometimes without conscious awareness.
Ancient texts and spiritual teachings often refer to this phenomenon.
The Upanishads, for instance, speak of the interconnectedness of beings, where energies intermingle and influence one another. This concept echoes across various philosophies and religions, emphasizing the interwoven nature of human experiences.
The most fundamental lesson for empaths is detecting and distinguishing between their own emotions and those they absorb from external sources.
THIS IS KEY!
This understanding forms the ground for maintaining emotional well-being despite the influx of energies. Self-care becomes non-negotiable for empaths.
Imagine a radio, your laptop, or your mobile. Just as they need maintenance to function optimally, empaths require attention and nurturing for their well-being. And there are no negotiations here.
Ancient wisdom, such as the Tao Te Ching, stresses the importance of balance. It emphasizes the need for empaths to prioritize self-care without neglecting their empathic nature.
When you read the teachings of Rumi or the works of Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, you will see the emphasis they lay on the importance of self-awareness. They speak of recognizing the transitory nature of emotions and the power of mindfulness amidst external influences.
Empaths often find themselves steering a maze of emotions, constantly fluctuating between their feelings and those they pick up from their surroundings. Trust me when I say this – it is very draining, and This experience can be disconcerting when not managed effectively.
One of the fundamental challenges for empaths is discerning between their authentic emotions and the energies they absorb from others. It’s akin to distinguishing from one radio station to another in a sea of frequencies.
We are all Energy and the frequency we give out is what we receive. Psychological studies show how individuals tend to match their emotions with those around them. Empaths, however, take this synchronization to a heightened level, often experiencing emotions in their immediate surroundings.
We all know that at the quantum level, everything in the universe is interconnected through fields of energy. This theory suggests that there exists a vast, underlying field—a sea of fluctuating energy—that pervades all of space. Within this field, particles and forces interact, creating a complex interconnectedness.
Now, consider emotions as energy. Energy emits vibrations and these vibrations can influence and interact with the energy of others. That is why when we meet some people we feel good and at times we don’t. As those are the energy interactions in the quantum field.
For example, an empath might feel suddenly sad in a crowded, tense room, even if they don’t know anyone there. This ability to tune into emotions can be overwhelming for empaths, so it’s important for them to learn how to manage their sensitivity.
It’s easier when you imagine emotions like sound waves. When an empath is around strong feelings, it’s like they’re picking up the vibrations, just like a tuning fork buzzing when near another one at the same pitch, and can resonate with the emotional energy of another individual or group.
Picture emotions as vibrations, like tuning forks humming different melodies. An empath is like a master tuner, able to pick up the subtle vibrations of emotions, even those faint and distant. When two hearts resonate at the same frequency, even if separated by miles, an empath can feel the shared melody of their feelings, a kind of quantum entanglement of the soul.
This sensitivity allows empaths to attune themselves to the emotional states of others, resonating with those energies and experiencing them as if they were their own. This process doesn’t necessarily abide by conventional spatial or temporal limitations, highlighting the non-local nature of empathic experiences
Empaths, consciously or unconsciously, interact with this quantum field of interconnected energies.
Let’s illustrate this comparison using two individuals:
Understanding Emotions in the Office: Urmila vs. Rohit
Imagine walking into a bustling office after a quiet morning. Suddenly, you’re hit by a wave of tension as you enter the office floor – filled with chatter, deadlines, and the occasional coffee spill, deadlines looming, colleagues buzzing, tempers flaring. –As an empath, this emotional cocktail can feel amplified, blurring the lines between your feelings and those around you.
It’s a hotbed of emotions, and for a few, crossing this emotional scenario can be tricky. Enter Urmila and Rohit, two colleagues with a shared secret: they’re both empaths.
Urmila, the self-aware empath:
Arrives at the meeting and feels a palpable energy of frustration and disagreement. Instead of immediately reacting or jumping to conclusions, Urmila takes a moment to ground herself, perhaps by taking deep breaths or simply focusing on her center.
Recognizing the feeling as external, she doesn’t “catch” the negativity. Instead, she creates a mental boundary, acknowledging the emotions without absorbing them. This allows her to remain calm and collected, and can contribute constructively to the discussion without being swept away by the emotional undercurrents.
Rohit, the empath lacking awareness:
Enters the meeting and quickly feels overwhelmed by the charged atmosphere. He interprets the collective frustration as his own, making him anxious and irritable. Without the ability to differentiate external emotions from his own, Rohit gets sucked into the negativity. He might react impulsively, say things he regrets, or simply shut down and withdraw.
This emotional overload leaves him drained and unproductive, struggling to steer the already challenging meeting..
The takeaway:
Emotional awareness is crucial for coursing through the complex dynamics of an office environment. Distinguishing between your own emotions and those of others is a fundamental key to maintaining emotional stability. By developing tools like self-reflection and grounding techniques, you can learn to set boundaries and protect your energy, even when in emotionally charged situations.
One should Practice mindfulness ( Meditation and breathing exercises can help you connect with your inner calm)
Recognize triggers: Notice what environments or situations amplify your emotions. Once aware, you can develop coping mechanisms.
Set boundaries: Learn to say “no” and prioritize your well-being. Taking breaks and creating personal space can make a world of difference.
Communicate: Talk to trusted colleagues/friends a person who you think is your go-to person about your empathic tendencies. Sharing and building support can ease the burden.
Awareness is Key
So, are you Urmila or Rohit? Take some time to reflect on your intuition.
Are you easily influenced by the emotions of others?
Do you struggle to differentiate your emotions? If so, don’t worry – there are plenty of resources out there to help you develop your emotional intelligence. Spend significant time and effort to understand emotional awareness.
The lack of awareness often leads to emotional exhaustion, energy depletion, and difficulty in maintaining a stable emotional state.
Another Instance – Romilla endured an emotionally abusive relationship that left lasting emotional scars. However, through help, therapy, and introspection, she learned to recognize the impact of the abuse on her emotional state and developed tools to reclaim her sense of self.
When Romilla encounters triggers reminiscent of her past trauma, she’s now equipped with strategies to be aware of these emotions. For instance, if she feels a surge of unwarranted fear or insecurity in a new relationship, she pauses to assess the source of these emotions. Through therapy, she’s cultivated an understanding of her triggers and how the abuse has influenced her responses.
Romilla has also established firm boundaries to protect her emotional well-being. If someone exhibits behavior resembling her past abuser, she’s swift to assert her boundaries or distance herself from the situation.
This self-awareness and boundary-setting empowers Romilla to maintain a healthy sense of self despite the echoes of her past pain.
Shyam also experienced a painful relationship marked by emotional manipulation and abuse from his partner. However, unlike Romilla, Shyam hasn’t actively engaged in self-reflection or sought professional help to process the trauma. Consequently, he finds himself grappling with emotional turmoil, unable to discern the origins of his feelings.
When Shyam enters a new relationship, he often finds himself reacting instinctively to situations that trigger memories of past abuse and this happens because he lacks the awareness to recognize that his emotional responses are remnants of his past experiences.
Now here is when Akashic Records Reading helps you immensely to clear all the past fragments, and cellular memories and recreate them.
As a result, Shyam unknowingly projects his unresolved pain onto his current relationships, causing strain and confusion for both him and his partners.
Without the tools or support to pilot his emotions, Shyam struggles to establish healthy boundaries. He may inadvertently allow behaviors that mirror past abuse, perpetuating a cycle of emotional turmoil and distress resulting in a repeated pattern.
Now what happens when there are Contrasting Experiences and Outcomes
Urmila’s proactive approach to healing, characterized by self-awareness and boundary-setting, enables her to steer her emotions and relationships with more resilience. While the scars of her past remain, she’s learned to recognize, learn her lessons, understand , shift and manage their impact on her present experiences.
In contrast, Rohit’s lack of emotional identification and boundary-setting perpetuates his emotional distress. His unresolved trauma continues to influence his relationships, obstructing his ability to maintain healthy connections and continuing a cycle of pain.
How do you Know if you are an Empath
- You tend to absorb and feel the emotions of others, sometimes without consciously intending to do so.
- You feel drained if you are surrounded by negative people affecting your mood
- You have a strong intuition and can sense if someone is being dishonest or insincere, even if the person’s words or actions reveal otherwise.
- Empaths are highly physically sensitive. They feel aches and pains, that mirror someone else’s discomfort and emotions.
- They have excellent bonding – and can form deep connections quickly with others,
- They often strive to create harmony in their environment and feel distressed by conflicts or discord.
- Tendency to attract people with stories – People feel compelled to share their life stories or personal struggles with you even if you have met them only for the first time.
- Sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells is common among empaths. All these are very overwhelming for them.
- They are deeply affected by witnessing violence, cruelty, suffering, or any other intense low vibrating emotions/ actions.
- Empaths often have strong connections with animals and can understand their needs or emotions intuitively.
- Many empaths have a strong creative streak and may use artistic outlets to process and express their emotions.
- They are often drawn to helping others or find themselves in roles where they can support and uplift others.
- Empaths may experience vivid dreams and have rich, imaginative inner worlds due to their heightened sensitivity.
So then are there any types of Empathy?
Empathy is quite often categorized into several types based on the nature of the empathic experience. Sharing a few common types:
Cognitive Empathy
This type of empathy involves understanding another person’s perspective or emotions intellectually. It doesn’t necessarily involve feeling the same emotions but rather comprehending and recognizing the emotions someone else is experiencing. So basically, one can understand the other person’s mental state, by thinking about what other people are thinking. Psychologists refer to this as the Theory of Mind.
Emotional / Affective Empathy
Emotional empathy, also known as affective empathy, involves feeling the same or similar emotions as another person. Empaths experiencing emotional empathy can mirror the feelings of others, resonating with their joy, sorrow, or pain. Such empathetic understanding can result in an individual expressing genuine care for the welfare of another person, or on the contrary evoke personal anguish, sorrow or pain.
Compassionate Empathy
Compassionate empathy combines both cognitive and emotional empathy with an added component of action. It involves not only understanding and feeling another person’s emotions but also being motivated to help and alleviate their suffering or support their well-being.
Somatic Empathy
Somatic empathy involves physically feeling the sensations or pain that another person is experiencing. It can manifest as physical discomfort or sensations in response to observing or hearing about someone else’s pain or physical state.
It entails manifesting a bodily response in reaction to another individual’s experience. Occasionally, individuals may physically undergo the same sensations as another person. For instance, witnessing someone feeling embarrassed might elicit a blush or cause discomfort in one’s stomach.
Spiritual Empathy
This type of empathy involves a deep connection to others at a soul or spiritual level. It goes beyond surface-level emotions and seeks to understand the essence or spiritual journey of another being.
Visual Empathy
Visual empathy refers to the ability to understand and empathize with others primarily through visual cues, body language, facial expressions, and non-verbal communication.
Intuitive Empathy
Intuitive empathy relies on an individual’s intuitive or psychic abilities to sense or perceive the emotions, thoughts, or energies of others without the need for explicit cues or verbal communication.
Environmental Empathy
Environmental empathy involves an empathic connection to the natural world, where individuals experience emotions or connections with nature, animals, or the environment itself.
Global Empathy
Global empathy expands beyond individual interactions to encompass a broader perspective of empathy for larger groups, communities, or even humanity as a whole. It involves understanding and caring about the collective experiences of diverse populations.
Each type of empathy offers a unique way of experiencing and understanding the emotions and experiences of others. Empaths may exhibit one or more of these types of empathy, and the blend of these empathic abilities contributes to their overall empathic nature.
How to Protect and Self-Care as an Empath
- Do Mindful Practices such as Meditation to observe your emotions without attachment, and create a sense of inner peace. This will also help in grounding. Just be the observer.
- Breath work ( preferred Box Breathing ) and Yoga by centering yourself. Practicing deep breathing or pranayama techniques can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and restore equilibrium.
- Let go of the thoughts and feelings that don’t belong to you, making you feel lighter and more at peace.
- Because there could be Toxic People around you, you would gladly dump their problems and latch on to your kindness for their needs, it’s imperative to draw a boundary. Protect your emotional space and prevent emotional overwhelm. Do not get invested in other’s issues so as to blur the boundaries. Learn when to stop and say NO.
- Keep doing body scans for yourself to know if you are feeling giddy or angry due to other energies. Learn to identify whose emotions you are carrying.
- Do Grounding using all your senses.
- Keep journaling and releasing to reflect and introspect. This will help track emotional patterns and identify the root cause of the recurring feelings.
- Go take walks, nature helps you calm your nerves instantly. This gives you time and space to process your feelings. Spending time in nature recharges and recalibrates.
- Use affirmations to lift your energies. You can release and let go by affirming: I release and let go of all emotions in my body that do not belong to me.
- Do self-care routines, and treat oneself with kindness and understanding.
- Make a Protective bubble or shield around you using visualization or invoking divine energy to protect yourself
- Most importantly, eat right. What you eat defines your energy.
- Engage in practices like smudging with sage, using crystals, or taking salt baths to cleanse, aroma therapies to feel safe, secure, and calm. Make your place safe, cozy, and warm, and release negative energies that might have been absorbed.
- Take regular breaks from technology and social media to minimize exposure to overwhelming information and negative influences.
- Focusing on gratitude through a daily practice of listing things to be grateful for can shift the focus towards positivity and reduce emotional burden.
- Engaging in hobbies and creative activities such as painting, writing, music, photography, or any other can serve as an emotional outlet and help empaths process their feelings.
Turning empathic characteristics into strengths involves channeling the inherent qualities of empathy while also establishing boundaries and self-care practices. Here’s a guide on how empaths can cultivate strength from their empathic nature:
As soon as you use various techniques to become Self-Aware, recognize and acknowledge empathic traits, and understand how they influence thoughts, emotions, and interactions you are one step up to empowering yourself.
Prioritizing self-care rituals to recharge and protect emotional energy without feeling guilty is so IMPORTANT for your happiness and peace.
View empathy as a strength rather than a vulnerability. Turn this as a powerful tool to understand others’ emotions to empower, support, and inspire positive change in everyone’s life.
When you learn to dis-engage empathically you are Cultivating resilience by learning from challenges and setbacks. Use this to bounce back stronger from adversity.
Lead with compassion, and understanding to align actions with values.
Importantly Continue seeking growth and support. Engage in therapy, coaching, or communities that help you in personal development. Understand the importance of reciprocity. Balance giving support to others with receiving support when needed, nurturing a healthy give-and-take dynamic.
Recognize that being sensitive to emotions is a strength that contributes positively to growth and relationships.
Prioritize self-respect and self-love. Recognize that taking care of personal needs is not selfish but necessary for your well-being.
You have the power to transform empathic characteristics into powerful tools for personal strength, resilience, and positive impact while maintaining emotional balance and well-being.
The takeaway is clear – Self-Awareness, Mindfulness, and Setting Boundaries are indispensable for empaths. Empathic abilities as strengths allow individuals to thrive, aiding a harmonious environment and enhancing personal resilience. Empathy, when wielded consciously, becomes a powerful tool for success.
For those of you who feel drawn to deeper understanding and self-discovery, the Akashic Records can be a profound resource on this journey. By exploring the records, you not only gain insight into your emotional patterns but also unlock pathways to greater empathy, clarity, and purpose. Allow the Akashic Records to guide you to your highest potential—building connections, fostering understanding, and making the world a more beautiful place, one compassionate step at a time.
