Empathy and the Empath

1. 1:  the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it

2. 2:  the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also:  the capacity for this

Given that the second definition includes experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another, I can understand the confusion. But for an empath, empathy is what draws us in. And it’s not our judgment of what’s happening that does this, but actually feeling what the other person is feeling. That’s why so many of us have difficulty with mass shootings, or mass anything. It’s just too much to actually feel, resulting in panic, tears, or any number of significant reactions. Remaining aligned in our Source Presence keeps the empath safely in the compassion zone and out of the muckier aspects of empathy. The compassionate response then allows the empath to observe and express kindness without absorbing another’s energy. Using empathy and compassion interchangeably for the average person is probably fine. But for the empath, empathy consumes us while compassion protects us.

In alignment, an empath feels the emotional presence of another without becoming so drawn into it that s/he can’t release from it. Out of alignment, it’s difficult to extricate ourselves from another’s emotional presence. In alignment, I’m in control. When I’m not, chaos ensues. In alignment, I can feel compassion toward another without becoming so drawn in that I don’t experience anything else.

When someone who has never considered the possibility that they’re an empath finally does, it can be overwhelming. Typically, the individual has no idea how to navigate the emotional waves coming at them, and many believe they’re going insane. They’re upset for no reason, they can’t settle down, they can’t be calm. So of course it’s a little freaky to find out you’re an empath. At least you begin to understand, however, that you’re not crazy at all. You’re just more.

From the perspective of the human experience, realizing you’re an empath suggests the idea that we’re gifted somehow. But in my view, each of is an extension of Source Energy in physical form. So, to me it seems odd if others don’t experience life in physical form this way. Some believe that this happens because during our childhood we forget who we really are. We shape our response to survive.

Trust me, when I was growing up, few adults appreciated an aware child. Many will suppress that awareness until it’s just not felt anymore. Life in physical form doesn’t really allow for the possibility that it’s all an illusion, that we are primarily unfocused, nonphysical Source Energy and not the bodies we inhabit. Everything here is so real. So why would it even begin to occur to us?

Those of us who still experience our nonphysical aspect of Self are called empaths. That’s really all it is. Actually all of us represent aspects of All That Is, but that’s a tough concept for some of us to grasp. Source, or God if you prefer, is believed to be separate from us instead of all that we are. For whatever reason, the empath is just more awakened to our true reality. It’s when we focus too long at what we see around us that we become part of that separation or illusion, believing it to be relevant to who we are.

We don’t begin in the illusion. We create it. Collectively. Since I’ve never felt all that attached to my body, feeling instead that I hover around it, it’s easy to move into that alignment with Self. I can say to myself, release, and I can step back away from what’s going on around me and into my safety zone. None of us can help anyone if we’re caught up in their emotions, so staying in your own space is essential.

The individual I referenced at the beginning of my post is an empath. He hasn’t accepted this fact, but it’s true nevertheless. He is just more naturally adept at not getting caught up in the emotional resonance of others. His Indigo nature has always been evident and eventually he’ll realize and be comfortable with who he is. And I will continue to support him throughout as his awareness unfolds.

I’ve always felt that we all (empath or not) get caught up in the minutiae of things. We over-define everything and then argue about the differences in definition. And it’s in that argument that judgment resides. So instead, just feel. Let go of your opinions and judgments and let your own natural resonance take hold.

Focus on your own joyous creation. Keep moving forward in blessings and love. Be the Source Energy, the All That Is, that you truly are. Try it for a day or even an hour. I’ll just bet you’ll love it so much that you’ll find yourself wanting to stay in loving Source Presence all the time.

Blessings to all!

~ Jan