“As information processing machines, our ability to process data about the external world begins at the level of sensory perception. Although most of us are rarely aware of it, our sensory receptors are designed to detect information at the energy level. Because everything around us… the air we breathe even the materials we build with… are composed of spinning and vibrating atomic particles, you and I are literally swimming in a turbulent sea of electromagnetic fields. We are part of it. We are enveloped in it and through our sensory apparatus we experience WHAT IS”. Jill Bolte Taylor, My Stroke of Insight.
Before delving into the specifics of managing your empathy and sensitivities, we need to have an understanding of how energy works. This may be basic to some of you…but I bet there are many of you that will find this beneficial.
Understanding energy not only helps you manage your sensitivities but also lays the foundation to connect with Guides and animals (and plants and spirits, etc.) and live a life filled with joy, love and connection. When you begin to recognize your own energy body and the energies that you come in contact with you can marshal these energies for your own health and well being. You can learn to be responsible with your energy body and to manage other energy that can be draining. You can also learn to allow more universal energy to flow through you which raises your energetic vibration and in turn creates more joy and abundant health.
Everything is Energy: The Universe is pure energy. Every thing, every planet, every person, every animal and plant is energy and it is all connected in a network or grid of vibrating energy. Nothing is separate. You are like a drop of water in an ocean. Taken out of the ocean you appear separate but as part of the ocean, you cannot identify a “separate” you.
Your Auric Field: Although you are connected to everything, you do have your own personal energy field. (That’s the “drop” of the ocean part). Your energy body is a multi-layered electromagnetic field. It is the first place you meet the world. It is called your auric field and typically extends about 2-3 feet out from your body in a cocoon-like dimension. It extends above and below your body as well. The major energy centers in your body are often referred to as Chakras.
Thoughts are Energy: Thoughts are energy and have extraordinary creating powers. Thoughts create our experiences from moment to moment. As an empath, you need to be careful when thinking or saying “I feel so bad for ….” (Fill in the blank.) Perhaps you just learned about a friend who is ill or saw a news program about a tragic accident. Be careful what you say and think! You will literally “feel bad” through your empathic energy. We really do create our own reality so think good thoughts.
Energy Follows Thought: Not only is thought a form of energy, but our thoughts “send” our energy to different places, people and things. When you think of someone your energy goes to them and makes an“attachment”. The more emotion that is connected to the thought, the more energetically attached you become. Of course this means that others energy can become attached to you as well merely from them thinking of you. This is KEY when you are empathic.
Energy is Controlled by Visualization: You can control your energy field by visualizing where it is and the characteristics you wish to give it. Our right brains are powerful creators. This might seem a bit simplistic but then we tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Here’s a story about when I first learned this.
If you haven’t already, sign up to the right for the Energy Mastery Tool Kit. You will be sent an audio file to download with a 10 minute meditation that is crucial to living comfortably as a Highly Sensitive Empath.
Now you have the basics of energy. Next week I will provide specific ways and tools to keep from being overpowered by your sensitivities.