What is an empath?
Being an empath is when you are
affected by other people’s energies, and have an innate ability to intuitively
feel and perceive others. Your
life is unconsciously influenced by others’ desires, wishes, thoughts, and
moods. Being an empath is
much more than being highly sensitive and it’s not just limited to
emotions. Empaths can
perceive physical sensitivities and spiritual urges, as well as just knowing
the motivations and intentions of other people. You either are an empath or you
aren’t. It’s not a trait
that is learned. You are
always open, so to speak, to process other people’s feelings and energy, which
means that you really feel, and in many cases take on the emotions of
others. Many empaths
experience things like chronic fatigue, environmental sensitivities, or
unexplained aches and pains daily. These
are all things that are more likely to be contributed to outside influences and
not so much yourself at all. Essentially
you are walking around in this world with all of the accumulated karma,
emotions, and energy from others.
Empaths are often quiet achievers.
They 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. They may
have few problems talking about their feelings if another cares to listen
(regardless of how much they listen to others).
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 more inclined to pick up
another’s feelings and project it back without realizing its origin in the
first place. Talking things out is a major factor in releasing emotions in the
learning empath. Empaths can develop an even stronger degree of understanding
so that they can find peace in most situations. The downside is that empaths
may bottle up emotions and build barriers sky-high so as to not let others know
of their innermost thoughts and/or feelings. This withholding of emotional
expression can be a direct result of a traumatic experience, an expressionless
upbringing, or simply being told as a child, “Children are meant to be seen and
not heard!”
Without a doubt, this emotional
withholding can be detrimental to one’s health, for the longer one’s thoughts
and/or emotions aren’t released, the more power they build. The thoughts and/or
emotions can eventually becoming explosive, if not crippling. The need to
express oneself honestly is a form of healing and a choice open to all. To not
do so can result in a breakdown of the person and result in mental/emotional
instability or the creation of a physical ailment, illness or disease.
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 may 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.
You will find empaths working with
people, animals or nature with a true passion and dedication to help them. They
are often tireless teachers and/or caretakers for our environment and all
within it. Many volunteers are empathic and give up personal time to help
others without pay and/or recognition.
Empaths may be excellent storytellers
due to an endless imagination, inquisitive minds and ever-expanding knowledge.
They can be old romantics at heart and very gentle. They may also be the
“keepers” of ancestral knowledge and family history. If not the obvious family
historians, they may be the ones who listen to the stories passed down and
possess the majority of the family history. Not surprisingly, they may have
started or possess a family tree.
They have a broad interest in music
to suit their many expressive temperaments, and others can query how empaths
can listen to one style of music, and within minutes, change to something
entirely different. Lyrics within a song can have adverse, powerful effects on
empaths, especially if it is relevant to a recent experience. In these moments,
it is advisable for empaths to listen to music without lyrics, to avoid playing
havoc with their emotions!
They are just as expressive with body
language as with words, thoughts, and feelings. Their creativity is often
expressed through dance, acting, and bodily movements. Empaths can project an
incredible amount of energy portraying and/or releasing emotion. Empaths can
become lost in the music, to the point of being in a trance-like state; they
become one with the music through the expression of their physical bodies. They
describe this feeling as a time when all else around them is almost
non-existent.
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!
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. Then
again, for empaths, it is always nice to actually be heard themselves!
Here are the listeners of life. They
can be outgoing, bubbly, enthusiastic and a joy to be in the presence of, as
well as highly humorous at the most unusual moments! On the flip side, empaths
can be weighted with mood swings that will have others around them want to jump
overboard and abandon ship! The thoughts and feelings empaths receive from any
and all in their life can be so overwhelming (if not understood) that their
moods can fluctuate with lightning speed. One moment they may be delightfully
happy and with a flick of the switch, miserable.
Abandoning an empath in the throes of
alternating moods can create detrimental effects. A simple return of empathic
love–listening and caring compassionately without bias, judgment and/or
condemnation–can go an incredibly long way to an empath’s instant recovery.
Many empaths don’t understand what is occurring within them. They literally
have no idea that another person’s emotions are now felt, as one’s own and
reflected outwardly. They are confused as to how one moment all was well, and
then the next, they feel so depressed, alone, etc. The need to understand the
possibilities of empath connection is a vital part of the empaths journey for
themselves and for those around them.
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. This can certainly prove beneficial for others in
their relationships, in the workplace, or on the home front. Where there is a
will, there is a way and the empath will find it. The empath can literally
(likely without the knowledge of what’s actually occurring) tap into Universal
Knowledge and be receptive to guidance in solving anything they put their head
and hearts into.
Empaths often are vivid and/or lucid
dreamers. They can dream in detail and are inquisitive of dream content. Often
they feel as though the dreams are linked to their physical life somehow, and
not just a mumble of nonsensical, irrelevant, meaningless images. This
curiosity will lead many empathic dreamers to unravel some of the “mysterious”
dream contents from an early age and connect the interpretation to its
relevance in their physical life. If not, they may be led to dream
interpretations through other means.
Empaths are daydreamers with
difficulty keeping focused on the mundane. If life isn’t stimulating, off an
empath will go into a detached state of mind. They will go somewhere, anywhere,
in a thought that appears detached from the physical reality, yet is alive and
active for they really are off and away. If a tutor is lecturing with little to
no emotional input, empaths will not be receptive to such teaching and can
(unintentionally) drift into a state of daydreaming.
Give the empath student the tutor who
speaks with stimuli and emotion (through actual experience of any given
subject) and the empath is receptively alert. Empaths are a captivated
audience. This same principle applies in acting. An actor will either captivate
the audience through expressing (in all aspects) emotions (as though they
really did experience the role they are portraying) or will loose them
entirely. Empaths make outstanding actors.
Empaths frequently experience déjà vu
and synchronicities. What may initially start as, “Oh, what a coincidence”,
will lead to the understanding of synchronicities as an aspect of who they are.
These synchronicities will become a welcomed and continually expanding
occurrence. As an understanding of self grows, the synchronicities become more
fluent and free flowing. The synchronicities can promote a feeling of euphoria
as empaths identify with them and appreciate the connection to their empathic
nature.
Empaths are most likely to have had
varying paranormal experiences throughout their lives. NDE’s (Near death
experiences) and or OBE’s (Out of body experiences) can catapult an unaware
empath into the awakening period and provide the momentum for a journey of
discovery. Those who get caught up in life, in society’s often dictating ways,
in work etc., can become lost in a mechanical way of living that provides very
little meaning. All “signs of guidance” are ignored to shift out of this state
of “doing”. A path to being whole again becomes evident and a search for more
meaning in one’s life begins.
These types of experiences appear
dramatic, can be life-altering indeed, and are most assuredly just as intensely
memorable in years to come. They are the voice of guidance encouraging us to
pursue our journey in awareness. Sometimes, some of us require that extra
assistance!
For some empaths, the lack of outside
understanding towards paranormal events they experience, may lead to
suppressing such abilities. (Most of these abilities are very natural and not a
coincidence.) Empaths may unknowingly adopt the positive or negative attitude
of others as their own. (This, however, can be overcome.) Empaths may need to
follow interests in the paranormal and the unexplained with curiosity so as to
explain and accept their life circumstances.
Here are 30 of the most common traits:
01. Knowing: Empaths just know stuff, without being told. It’s
a knowing that goes way beyond intuition or gut feelings, even though that is
how many would describe the knowing. The more attuned they are the stronger
this gift becomes.
02. Being in public places can be overwhelming: Places like
shopping malls, supermarkets or stadiums where there are lots of people around
can fill the empath with turbulently vexed emotions that are coming from others.
03. Feeling others emotions and taking them on as your own:
This is a huge one for empaths. To some they will feel emotions off those near
by and with others they will feel emotions from those a vast distance away, or
both. The more adept empath will know if someone is having bad thoughts about
them, even from great distance.
04. Watching violence, cruelty or tragedy on the TV is
unbearable: The more attuned an empath becomes the worse it is and may make it
so they eventually have to stop watching TV and reading newspapers altogether.
05. You know when someone is not being honest: If a friend or
a loved one is telling you lies you know it (although many empaths try not to
focus on this because knowing a loved one is lying can be painful). Or if
someone is saying one thing but feeling/thinking another, you know.
06. Picking up physical symptoms off another: An empath will
almost always develop the ailments off another (colds, eye infections, body
aches and pains) especially those they’re closest to, somewhat like sympathy
pains.
07. Digestive disorders and lower back problems: The solar
plexus chakra is based in the centre of the abdomen and it’s known as the seat
of emotions. This is where empaths feel the incoming emotion of another, which
can weaken the area and eventually lead to anything from stomach ulcers to IBS
(too many other conditions to list here). Lower back problems can develop from
being ungrounded (amongst other things) and one, who has no knowledge of them
being an empath, will almost always be ungrounded.
08. Always looking out for the underdog: Anyone whose
suffering, in emotional pain or being bullied draws an empath’s attention and
compassion.
09. Others will want to offload their problems on you, even
strangers: An empath can become a dumping ground for everyone else’s issues and
problems, which, if they’re not careful can end up as their own.
10. Constant fatigue: Empaths often get drained of energy,
either from energy vampires or just taking on too much from others, which even
sleep will not cure. Many get diagnosed with ME.
11. Addictive personality: Alcohol, drugs, sex, are to name
but a few addictions that empaths turn to, to block out the emotions of others.
It is a form of self protection in order to hide from someone or something.
12. Drawn to healing, holistic therapies and all things
metaphysical: Although many empaths would love to heal others they can end up
turning away from being healers (even though they have a natural ability for
it), after they’ve studied and qualified, because they take on too much from
the one they are trying to heal. Especially if they are unaware of their
empathy. Anything of a supernatural nature is of interest to empaths and they
don’t surprise or get shocked easily. Even at the revelation of what many
others would consider unthinkable, for example, empaths would have known the
world was round when others believed it was flat.
13. Creative: From singing, dancing, acting, drawing or
writing an empath will have a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination.
14. Love of nature and animals: Being outdoors in nature is a
must for empaths and pets are an essential part of their life.
15. Need for solitude: An empath will go stir-crazy if they
don’t get quiet time. This is even obvious in empathic children.
16. Gets bored or distracted easily if not stimulated: Work,
school and home life has to be kept interesting for an empath or they switch
off from it and end up daydreaming or doodling.
17. Finds it impossible to do things they don’t enjoy: As
above. Feels like they are living a lie by doing so. To force an empath to do
something they dislike through guilt or labelling them as idle will only serve
in making them unhappy. It’s for this reason many empaths get labelled as being
lazy.
18. Strives for the truth: This becomes more prevalent when an
empath discovers his/her gifts and birthright. Anything untruthful feels plain
wrong.
19. Always looking for the answers and knowledge: To have
unanswered questions can be frustrating for an empath and they will endeavour
to find an explanation. If they have a knowing about something they will look
for confirmation. The downside to this is an information overload.
20. Likes adventure, freedom and travel: Empaths are free
spirits.
21. Abhors clutter: It makes an empath feel weighed down and
blocks the flow of energy.
22. Loves to daydream: An empath can stare into space for
hours, in a world of their own and blissfully happy.
23. Finds routine, rules or control, imprisoning: Anything
that takes away their freedom is debilitating to an empath even poisoning.
24. Prone to carry weight without necessarily overeating: The
excess weight is a form of protection to stop the negative incoming energies
having as much impact.
25. Excellent listener: An empath won’t talk about themselves
much unless it’s to someone they really trust. They love to learn and know
about others and genuinely care.
26. Intolerance to narcissism: Although kind and often very
tolerant of others, empaths do not like to be around overly egotistical people,
who put themselves first and refuse to consider another’s feelings or points of
view other than their own.
27. The ability to feel the days of the week: An empath will
get the ‘Friday Feeling’ if they work Fridays or not. They pick up on how the
collective are feeling. The first couple of days of a long, bank holiday
weekend (Easter for example) can feel, to them, like the world is smiling, calm
and relaxed. Sunday evenings, Mondays and Tuesdays, of a working week, have a
very heavy feeling.
28. Will not choose to buy antiques, vintage or second-hand:
Anything that’s been pre-owned carries the energy of the previous owner. An
empath will even prefer to have a brand new car or house (if they are in the
financial situation to do so) with no residual energy.
29. Sense the energy of food: Many empaths don’t like to eat
meat or poultry because they can feel the vibrations of the animal (especially
if the animal suffered), even if they like the taste.
30. Can appear moody, shy, aloof, disconnected: Depending on
how an empath is feeling will depend on what face they show to the world. They
can be prone to mood swings and if they’ve taken on too much negative will
appear quiet and unsociable, even miserable. An empath detests having to
pretend to be happy when they’re sad, this only adds to their load (makes
working in the service industry, when it’s service with a smile, very challenging)
and can make them feel like scuttling under a stone.
If you can say yes to most or all of
the above then you are most definitely an empath.
Empaths are having a particularly
difficult time at the present time, picking up on all the negative emotions
that are being emanated into the world from the populace.
