About Empathy and Empaths

I feel this is something that has affected my life throughout. Perhaps understanding it might help another. It is a blessing & a curse together.

About Empathy and Empaths What is Empathy?

From Christel
Broederlow

Empathy is the ability to read and understand people and be in-tune with
or resonate with others, voluntarily or involuntarily of one's empath
capacity.

Empaths have the ability to scan another's psyche for thoughts and
feelings or for past, present, and future life occurrences. Many empaths
are unaware of how this actually works, and have long accepted that
they were sensitive.
to others.

Empaths Sense Deep Emotions

Empathy is a feeling of another's true emotions to a point where an
empath can relate to that person by sensing true feelings that run
deeper than those portrayed on the surface. People commonly put on a
show of expression. This is a learned trait of hiding authentic
expression in an increasingly demanding society.

An empath can sense the truth behind the cover and will act
compassionately to help that person express him/herself, thus making
them feel at ease and not so desperately alone.

Empaths experience empathy towards family, children, friends, close
associates, complete strangers, pets, plants and inanimate objects.
Empathy is not held by time or space. Thus, an empath can feel the
emotions of people and things at a distance. Some are empathic towards
animals (ie: The Horse Whisperer), to nature, to the planetary system,
to mechanical devices or to buildings etc. Others will have a
combination of the above.

Empaths Have Deep Sense of Knowing

Empaths are highly sensitive. This is the term commonly used in
describing one's abilities (sensitivity) to another's emotions and
feelings. Empaths have a deep sense of knowing that accompanies
empathy and are often compassionate, considerate, and understanding of
others.

There are also varying levels of strength in empaths which may be
related to the individualís awareness of self, understanding of the
powers of empathy, and/or the acceptance or non-acceptance of empathy by
those associated with them, including family and peers. Generally,
those who are empathic grow up with these tendencies and do not learn
about them until later in life.

Empathy is Inherited

Empathy is genetic, inherent in our DNA, and passed from generation to
generation. It is studied both by traditional science and alternative
healing practitioners.

Empathy has both biological/genetic and spiritual aspects.

Empaths often possess the ability to sense others on many different
levels. From their position in observing what another is saying, feeling
and thinking, they come to understand another. They can become very
proficient at reading another personís body language and/or study
intently the eye movements. While this in itself is not empathy, it is a
side-shoot that comes from being observant of others. In a sense,
empaths have a complete communication package.

How Empathy Works

While there is much we don't yet understand about how empathy works, we
do have some information. Everything has an energetic vibration or
frequency and an empath is able to sense these vibrations and recognize
even the subtlest changes undetectable to the naked eye or the five
senses.

Words of expression hold an energetic pattern that originates from the
speaker. They have a specific meaning particular to the speaker. Behind
that expression is a power or force-field, better known as energy. For
example, hate often brings about an intense feeling that immediately
accompanies the word. The word hate becomes strengthened with the
speaker's feeling. It is that person's feelings (energy) that are picked
up by empaths, whether the words are spoken, thought or just felt
without verbal or bodily expression.

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 Good Listeners

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, life's 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.

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