Unusual Meditation Techniques You've Never Heard Of

By Elise Lebeau

Meditation is a very personal thing. When my Empath and Intuitive skills went "live", I was overwhelmed with information and soooooooooooooo many people recommended meditation.

But I hated meditation...No kidding! Just sitting there, trying not to think of pink elephants. It was like a refined form of torture and, worst of all, oh so boring...

The answer came from one of my Spirit Guides one day. He suggested I try a mediation that involved watching movies. Huh? Does that count, I wondered... Since then, my guides have come up with all kinds of unusual meditation techniques that work for me, and now I love it.

Since I am an engineer, things make sense to me when they have a purpose. In my life, meditation is an processing activity, like a computer that needs some time to open up Word or to connect to the Internet. Computers also needs processing time when turning off, to cleanly organize all the new data that has been created.

When I meditate, I keep my left brain out of the way so that my right brain can process all the information I've been receiving (the right brain handles creative, intuitive and abstract data). When I'm done, my mind-computer is responsive again and I'm not just staring at the little hourglass, waiting for the processing to complete before I get my answer!

These are my two favorite meditations techniques. Try them out and feel free to tweak them! Remember that meditation is supposed to feel good.

The Movie Meditation:

1) Select a movie and set your intention to "meditate" while you are watching it.

2) As soon as you start watching, your brain will do what needs to be done to start processing. Even if you don't know what that involves, your brain does! Just like your brain knows how to keep your body functioning while you think of something else.  Movies are great because they keep your left brain busy, leaving the right brain free to go in processing mode. This is a lot easier than trying to turn down your left brain!

3) After the movie, take a moment to "reboot" your mind-computer. Do you get a message? What thoughts pop into your mind? This is a great time for profoundly creative ideas to come up so make sure you're listening! And take notes, if you feel so inclined! They'll be priceless!

The Cat Meditation

You know how some people take "cat naps"? A few minutes here and there and they're all refreshed! I've noticed that processing doesn't have to be done all at once in a gruesome 1 hour session. Your brain always knows where it left off processing and it can continue at any time!

The Cat Meditation is a series of very short meditations (and by short I mean that 5 seconds is enough!) that you can easily do without needing to stop the flow of your day. Over time, I have found that I was yearning for longer processing time without ever having to force it.

1) In the Cat Meditation, you're actually turning down your left brain for a brief period. This is different than the Movie Meditation, where you keep your left brain busy in order to facilitate processing. To do this, just imagine a blank screen in your mind. Like you're watching a movie screen but the movie hasn't started yet.

2) Keep it short! For most of us, it won't be long before you start seeing thing (or hearing things) on your blank screen. By then, your left brain has started being active again so you're done!

tip: If you can't keep the screen blank (it's ok, I had a hard time with that at first), try counting to 10. Your left brain might be more willing to stay quiet if you give it a little something to do at first.

3) Here are some great ways to practice this:

- Do a Cat Meditation while reading a book each time you turn a page
- Do a Cat Meditation while watching TV on the first commercial (mute the TV first!)
- Do a Cat Meditation when you get in the car every morning
- Do a Cat Meditation when you start to brush your teeth!  Enjoy!

Elise Lebeau, M.Sc. is a Professional Intuitive. She provides a fast-paced, result-oriented approach to intuition. Embrace YOUR intuition with the online, interactive Applied Intuition Program. All it takes is 5 minutes for 20 days, for less than the cost of a book!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elise_Lebeau 
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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Empaths - Who Do You Go to in Times of Need?

By Elise Lebeau

Empaths can easily be swayed by the feelings of others. It's pretty much an occupational hazard when you can feel what other people feel. Even if you know how to manage your Empath skills, there are times when you will be affected by the people around you...

This is especially true in times of need, where you are more susceptible to soak up someone else feelings unconsciously.  This raises an important issue for Empaths: who will you chose to spend time with when you feel unhappy?

For example, if you are having problems at work, choosing to talk about it with someone who is ALSO unhappy is more likely to make your situation even worse because you'll be adding their unhappy feelings to your unhappy feelings! What a snowball effect...Pretty soon you'll feel like a pressure cooker ready to explode!

If instead you chose to have lunch with someone who IS happy at work, you're "pulling yourself up" by soaking in their feelings of contentment. As Empaths, you don't even have to *talk* to them, since you can feel their emotions directly. Just being in their presence and letting them surround you with positive emotions will have an uplifting effect on you.

Likewise, when *you* feel strong, you can chose to uplift others by broadcasting your feelings of happiness by being around them! Remember that everyone has the biological equipment necessary to do read other people's emotions. Empaths just happen to be more sensitive to emotions and hopefully, able to read others more consciously.

This is also a major reason why Empaths spend a lot of time by themselves. They usually don't like crowd or parties. They usually prefer one on one conversations where it's a lot easier to keep track on who's feeling what. Unfortunately, so many Empaths think they do this because something is wrong with them. That they *should* be out there in big groups of people. That they have "issues" and cannot lead a normal life. That is NOT TRUE!

Spending time by yourself when you feel vulnerable is a GREAT IDEA! It makes things so much simpler, allowing you to really focus on how *you* feel instead of having to sort out what's yours and what's theirs. It's oftentimes the smartest thing you can do.

So please, as a personal favor to me, don't beat up on yourself because you spend a lot of time alone. That doesn't mean you're broken. That doesn't mean you can't make friends. It means you're smart enough to know what you need.

And if that gets a little lonely along the way, drop us a line at the Empath Community and we'll be delighted to soak you up in love and support:)

in love,

Elise Lebeau, M.Sc., Professional Intuitive In the dark? Let's find a way out with an intuitive flashlight! Schedule an inspiring individual session: http://www.EliseLebeau.com/askElise

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elise_Lebeau
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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What Kind of Empath Are You?

By Ronni Ann Hall

Are you an empath? You know you are sensitive and your strongest psychic sense is in feeling. For fun, take the quiz to find out which kind you are.

Circle in your head or write down which applies.

1. You come down with a sudden, horrible stomach ache. Logical mind says it was a bad lunch or the flu going around, but then your dog enters the room and pukes on the carpet. She looks a little green around the edges. (physical or animal empath)

2. While shopping at the nearby Walmart, you enter the frozen food section and want to burst out into tears. You feel overwhelming, deep sadness and loneliness. (emotional empath or allergy to poorly designed boxed foods)

3. While relaxing on the couch you suddenly hear words come from your dog, "I want to go for a walk now." (animal empath or the result of smoking too many mushrooms)

4. Sitting in the backyard you feel a wave of joy come over you and a sense of peace, and you have an urge to smell the rose bush (nature empath, or the mushrooms are still doing their stuff from the day before)

5. You feel down and angry when two minutes before you felt peaceful. Your closest friend then calls and says he is feeling down and angry. (emotional empath or you just shopped at a crowded Walmart)

6. Two days before a major earthquake hits another country you have nightmares of earthquakes, anxiety or feelings of doom (mission empath or watching too many movies before bed)

7. You know that one fern plant needs more water and to be placed in a sunnier window (nature empath or you've read a lot of books on houseplants)

8. You receive strong messages or channelings that will help the world regarding self-esteem (mission empath or still feel the effects of the mushrooms)

9. You enter a hospital and feel fear, sadness, anxiety. You walk by one room and feel a pain in your side (physical empath or fear of hospitals)

If you circled one or more for nature empath: NATURE EMPATH you're tuned into the Nature Spirits and Fairies. You would excel at healing with Nature.

If you circled one or more for emotional empath: EMOTIONAL EMPATH you're tuned into the emotions of others. You just need to work on finding good tools and even better boundaries to take advantage of this gift.

If you circled one or more for physical empath: PHYSICAL EMPATH you're tuned into the physical ailments of others. You will just need to discern how to get rid of the feelings and not take it on. You'd make a wonderful medical intuitive.

If you circled one or more for animal empath: ANIMAL EMPATH you're tuned into animals and can help them greatly if you nurture this ability.

If you circled one or more for mission empath: MISSION EMPATH you're tuned into the world and your gifts will be used to help the planet on a greater scale.

If you circled mushrooms: Whoa! Where did you get that stuff?

Copyright 2011 Ronni Ann Hall

Ronni Ann Hall is a psychic/spiritual teacher who loves to provide tools for fellow sensitives. She is the author of Help! I'm Sensitive e-book, and the creator of The Fairy Online School which includes the popular class, the Care of the Sensitive. Visit her site and sign up for class or purchase an e-book of tools at: http://ronnispsychicroom.wordpress.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronni_Ann_Hall
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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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The Empath Blues: 4 Ways to Relieve Emotional Fatigue

By Elise Lebeau

According to wikipedia, "decisional fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual, after a long session of decision making". This concept has been studied extensively in psychology where people who have to make a lot of decisions as part of their daily job, like judges for example, become worn out over time and tend to make poorer decision later in the day. The mind becomes exhausted and has a hard time evaluating trade offs, a critical skill in decision making.

In a similar vein, empaths can become overly activated by the constant emotional information that they have to process. This is especially true for Impaired empaths who have a hard time regulating the influx of emotions they pick up from other people. Overtime, their ability to appropriately respond to emotions can become erratic, leaving them feeling powerless and depressed.

Under a spell of the empath blues, you might start to feel sad without knowing why. You are also more likely to feel depressed later in the day, waking up fine in the morning but experiencing a decline in your positive emotions as the day goes by. The empath blues is typically temporary but can become chronic if left unattended. Please note that anyone who feels depressed over a long period of time might be suffering from clinical depression and should immediate seek medical help as well as therapeutic counseling.

So what can you do when you find yourself in the throes of the empath blues? There is a very common misconception that the remedy for emotional fatigue is to try to be "happier". Meaning that you should try to think positively, even though you feel utterly crappy. Have you ever been with someone who was trying to cheer you up while you felt sad? Despite their best efforts, you kinda want them to shut up and go away.

This reaction makes perfect sense when you consider that alleviating emotional fatigue requires emotional quiet, which is the absence of strong emotions. Feeling happy is a strong emotion and strong emotions, whether positive or negative, are exactly what caused emotional fatigue in the first place! Not only that but trying to cheer up on the spot takes a huge amount of effort when you are feeling sad. You're trying to jump from one end of the emotional spectrum (sadness) into the opposite end (happiness) while being exhausted, so you're more likely to fall flat on your face mid jump.

Most empaths are not familiar with the state of emotional quiet required to address emotional fatigue. They are so used to feel tugged in all kinds of emotional direction that feeling nothing is often equated with feeling dead or empty. They wonder if something's wrong. And yet, this is no different than sleep for the body! We need down time where we let out body, mind and emotions rest.

Fortunately, empath are often very intuitive beings. They feel drawn to what is good for them. That's why if you're an empath you'll probably recognize some of your own urges in the 4 most effective ways to relieve emotional fatigue.

Being alone: Empaths need time by themselves where they are less likely to be tuning into the emotions of others around them. It doesn't mean you're anti-social or that you don't like people! It just means you need to refuel before going back out into the world. Make sure you have plenty of alone time when you're doing something that is not emotional, such as knitting, gardening, cooking, etc. I like to play video games which requires strategy but has no emotional triggers for me. Be creative!

Being in nature: Many empaths report feeling most at peace in nature, among trees and in large bodies of water like the ocean or a lake. With good reasons! Trees and water provide a natural "white noise" when it comes to emotional vibration. It's like wearing a noise canceling headset to drown out the emotions of people. I walk 5 miles a week in the forest around my house which rejuvenates and energizes me for the day.

Being physical active: Physical activity can provide a great buffer against emotional fatigue by taking your focus away from emotions and into your own physical body. For our purposes, the physical activity needs to be challenging enough that it requires your full attention. Rock climbing and yoga are my favorite activities to get emotionally quiet.

Meditation: Meditation provides a powerful way to guide your focus away from other people. This can be very challenging for empaths who tend to always tune into others. It can feel unnatural or difficult at first. But being able to create a quiet space within, whether by focusing on your breath or by following a guided audio meditation, can give you the space you need to rest both your mind and your delicate emotional system.

Elise Lebeau, Ph.D. is a Professional Intuitive. She provides tools and techniques for intuitive and emotionally sensitive people. Her main interest is helping Empaths achieve their full potential. You can find out more on her web site: http://www.EliseLebeau.com Heal - Learn - Grow!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elise_Lebeau
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Are Your Children Empaths? Teach Them How To Manage Their Emotional Intelligence

By Elise Lebeau

We are all born with the ability to sense emotions in others. It's is a basic survival skill for humans and animals. This ability usually subsides in childhood as we learn to focus more on verbal cues than emotional ones.

Empaths, on the other hand, have a heightened sensitivity to other people's emotions that keeps developing over time. As other kids stop picking up emotional signals, empath children become totally overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of emotional information that they receive in social settings.

Since most parents do not know if they are empaths, they don't recognize the signs in their kids. It also prevents them for effectively teaching their kids how to manage emotional overflow. For a more in depth discussion on resources for adult empaths, you can read my articles on this topic here.

Emotional Intelligence is defined as "the ability, capacity, or skill to perceive, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, of others, and of groups" (Salovey and Mayer, 1990).

When you teach your children how to manage their Empath skills, you are developing their Emotional Intelligence.

There are three fundamental concepts that need to be addressed in order to effectively manage emotional information.

1. Empowerment: Do you control your empath skills or do they control you (curse or blessing?)
2. Centeredness: Can you always hear your own internal self above all (raise above the chaos)
3. Flow: Does emotional information come in AND out freely (do you have an outlet?)

Is your child an empath?

Children have a different way of handling their empath abilities. Their range of available response is smaller, so they typically pick very quiet (as a way to calm down the emotional chaos they feel) or acting out (as a way to be louder than the emotional noise).

Keep in mind that children learn how to manage their empath abilities by watching you handle yours. If you're an empath but don't know how to handle it, get help for yourself first!

These are behaviors I have observed in empath children who don't know how to handle their abilities:

 •Gets unusually quiet (often seen as shyness) around crowds but is fine with the immediate family or smaller groups. Your child is trying to feel empowered and centered by withdrawing from the world. •Gets physically or verbally out of control around people but is mellow at home. Your child is trying to find an outlet to the overwhelming flow of incoming emotions.
•Resists going to bed or wakes up often. Your child is trying to stay centered while surrounded by the emotional activity of adults.
•Catches every illness available (cold, flu, ear infections, etc.). Your child is trying to feel empowered in shutting down unwanted emotional activity. Being sick is often the only way a child can use to withdraw from social situations.

Of course, this describes about 85% of children. I believe that most children do suffer from a mismanagement of their empath skills. I also believe that more and more empath children are born every day. So 85% is not a shocking number to me.

The bottom line is: can you help your child have a happier life by using empath tools? If it does help, then you're on the right track!

Disclaimer: This checklist is not a diagnostic or treatment tool. I am not a doctor or a mental health professional. Some of the characteristics of empaths can be diagnosed as ADD, agoraphobia or clinical depression. Contact your health care professional if you have any questions, need diagnostic or treatment for a mental health issue.

In order to help your child, you need tools that address each of the three concepts (empowerment, centeredness and flow). This is a technique I developed with my son.  Empath Anchoring Technique:

When your child gets overwhelmed, she often just needs a point of reference to stay grounded. You can be that anchor.

1. Calm your own emotions. You can't be a positive anchor if you're upset or angry.
2. Tell her quietly "Look me in the eyes" (point to your eyes) and put your hand on her chest. Make sure you have eye contact for the next step!
3. Tell her "We're going to take 5 breaths together and count them". Let your child breathe however she wants. You're just accompanying her, counting out loud with each exhalation.

Breathing quiets down emotional noise, re-centers the mind and helps children feel empowered by having something they can do when they feel uncomfortable. Include empath anchoring it in your night time routine!

Elise Lebeau, M.Sc. is a Professional Intuitive. She provides a fast-paced, result-oriented approach to intuition for sensitive people through her Intuition Coaching programs and Intuitive Counseling sessions.  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elise_LebeauArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/429987

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Empaths - The Sensitive Ones

By Daniella Breen

Empaths are people who's sensitivity is much greater than that of the average Joe or Josie.

Empaths are people who:-

•often get confused between their own feelings and other peoples,
•can look at a person and tell what they are feeling and experiencing,
•often have difficulty being in crowded places like shopping centres or pubs,
•attract energy vampires to them (people who drain your energy) and
•can sometimes feel natural and man-made disasters before they happen.

If you are an empath, you probably struggle with many aspects of daily life. One of the major problems with empaths is that they have a tendency to take on other people's emotions and issues as though they were their own.

When you feel other people's feelings, you often don't realise that the emotions are coming from outside of yourself. They all tend to feel as though they are your emotions which can be very confusing and often overwhelming. After a while of accumulating emotions both yours and others, you can get very sick. To move beyond these difficulties, some new Life Skills need to be introduced and implemented.

There are a number of ways to counteract the problems of being an empath. Many of them have to do with defining and clarifying who you are and what you believe. The first and most important action to take is to get focused on your thoughts and beliefs. As you come to a much clearer, more conscious awareness about who you are and what you believe compared to what others believe, you will widen the gap between yourself and other's emotions. Even if you do take on anothers feelings, it will be easier to recognise them as not belonging to you. Once the recognition is made, you can easily let go of the other persons 'stuff'.

Another set of activities that is very important in clearing up the empathic difficulties, is that of cleansing and protecting your energy field. There are many, many ways in which to do this, I will offer just a few.

For cleansing the energy field, I recommend with every shower that you take, you imagine that the water is super powerful, sparkling, cleansing energy that flushes all over and through your body, easily washing away any build up of negative energy. At the same time whilst having the shower, in your mind, call out to Archangel Michael (the defender and protector) to come and use his powerful sword to swipe through any and all cords all over your body, that are draining your energy. These two activities will easily release great amounts of negative energy.

For protecting the energy, I recommend that every morning you call upon Archangel Michael and ask him to wrap his wings around you, sealing and protecting you from any and all negative energy throughout the day. I also suggest that using your imagination, you surround yourself with a beautiful sparkly mirrorball, that instantly reflects all negative energy away from you.

Simply by performing these four exercises daily and working on defining who you are and what you believe, you can make a real difference to your experiences in this life. After a while of doing that, you can even start to open up to the gifts of being an empath, such as having a greater level of insight into people's behaviour and their intentions. Being an empath truly is a wonderful gift and you can experience it as such with a bit of healing work.

Every person has a unique soul path and purpose. When you are in alignment with your path and purpose, your life is filled with peace, joy and fulfillment. Soul Path Coaching is about helping people align more deeply with their unique Truth. Daniella Breen has been working in this field for over 12 years. Her website [http://www.soulpathcoaching.com.au] holds many powerful resources and services designed for this purpose.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniella_Breen 
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Do You Have A Spiritually Sensitive Child? How to Nurture the Mind, Heart and Body of a Gifted Child

By Nikki Striefler

Does your child have profound empathy to the point that he cries when he senses the pain of another person or other living things?

Does your child talk about feeling uncomfortable around people who make her feel "creepy?" On the other hand, does your child sense that some people have a nurturing and inviting energy?

Does your child have insights that make him seem like an "old soul?"

Does your child sometimes feel like an "odd duckling" who doesn't fit with her peers because of the depth of her feelings and reactions?

Does your child feel alive and joyful when out in nature, as though he can feel the wondrous energy of the plants and animals?

Does your child feel overwhelmed by sights, sounds, textures, and smells?

All of the above are signs of a spiritually sensitive child.

What is meant by spiritual sensitivity? According to Judith Blackstone, in her book Belonging Here, spiritually sensitive adults and children have these traits in common:

• Profound empathy and exceptional emotional depth
• Visionary insight; ability to see the truth of situations
• A gift for healing
• May feel alienated from the world around them

One of the major challenges faced by spiritually sensitive children is that parents and teachers often misidentify the sensitivities of these children as weaknesses and defects instead of teaching them to harness and use their personal energy to self-soothe and modulate their sensitivities so that they won't turn to drugs, cutting, or eating disorders as coping mechanisms. Some spiritually sensitive children end up with depression, anxiety, and autoimmune issues from the stress of living with sensitivities they don't understand and can't contain. These sensitivities can lead to loneliness and self-doubt, and for this reason, we need to nourish the minds, hearts, and bodies of these exquisitely sensitive children and help them develop their gifts while diminishing the challenges.

Strategies for Nourishing the Spiritually Sensitive Child

• Mindful Movements - There is a beautiful little book with an accompanying CD by Thich Nhat Hahn called Mindful Movements: Ten Exercises for Well-Being. This series of exercises combines body movements with mindfulness and focused breathing and is great for both children and adults.

• Four Pebble Meditation - Thich Nhat Hahn has a lovely metaphor-based mindful practice for kids that I enjoy doing myself. It uses four pebbles, and he has a new book for kids coming out this fall describing the process called A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles. These four pebbles are metaphors for our lives. The first pebble represents a flower: fresh. The second pebble represents a mountain: solid. The third pebble represents still water: clarity & authentic reflection. The fourth pebble represents space: freedom. I find holding each pebble in my hand with my focus on what that pebble represents to be a really relaxing way to meditate. Now that my brain has made the connection between the pebbles and the meditation, seeing the pebbles in my little wasabi dish continually reminds me of the four aspects of myself.

• Sending Love to Others - Once your child knows how to meditate, you can have your child practice sending love to herself, and then to others. You might begin with a photo of your child when she was a baby, and have your child look at the photo and send love to that person who is still a part of her. Once your child has had several opportunities to send self-love, your child can shift that focus to another person and/or animal. The purpose of this activity is to bring loving space to her heart.

• Gratitude Journal - Sending love to others is one way to help children open their hearts. Another way is through a gratitude journal. Having your child focus on what brought her joy that day is a nice way to end an evening and be focused on positive experiences before falling asleep.

• QiGong for greater awareness of personal energy - Lee Holden has a series of DVDs that include sitting, standing, and moving practices. I find my chi for energy work particularly strong after doing these exercises. I believe children who experience their personal energy will be better able to modulate their sensitivities.

• Spend, Save, Share Jars - Many religious and spiritual groups talk about opening your heart by doing good things for other people. With the spiritually sensitive child, we are looking for positive outlets for the pain they sometimes feel on behalf of others. You might consider having your child divide money he receives into three jars for spending soon, saving for later, and sharing with others. Give your child an opportunity to find an organization that has personal meaning. It is important for spiritually sensitive children to feel like they are making a difference in the lives of other people and animals.

A suggestion to parents: You are the most powerful model in the life of your child. Spiritually sensitive children need to see you focused on your own mindfulness and self-awareness. Give yourself the time and space to create your own spa moment, even if it's just taking a luxurious breath when you are stuck in traffic. Thich Nhat Hahn talks about the monks at Plum Village who hear a bell and use it as a reminder to take a breath and be in the moment. He encourages us that when our phone rings, it should serve as a reminder to take a breath and be in the now.

Many of us who are spiritually sensitive do not feel safe in this world with all the chemicals, aggressive people, and over-bearing sights and sounds. It is a nice reminder that by building up our minds, hearts, and bodies (our personal energy), even a spiritually sensitive person can feel safe in, and have a positive impact on, this world.

Looking for programs or camps for spiritual children? Glad.is highly recommends the Silver Horse Healing Ranch in Topanga, Ca: http://glad.is/2011/06/silver-horse-healing-ranch/  More on Mindful Parenting: http://glad.is/article/mindful-parenting/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikki_Striefler 
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Feel Better Now - 9 Tips for The Spiritually Sensitive and Empaths

By Scott Petullo
Co-Author: Stephen Petullo

An empath is a highly sensitive person who can feel the emotional and physical states of people around them. This, of course, can be problematic for the individual while walking through crowds or being around people who are in a negative state of mind.  They also have the ability, if they set aside any bias or emotional attachment, to sense truth and the motives of others.  Unfortunately, there are many people who are highly empathic and don't realize it. They struggle daily with not only their emotions, but those of everyone around them. Some attempt self-medication with alcohol or drugs, or are prescribed drugs, that compound the issue, by doctors who don't understand the problem.

Thankfully, if you're an empath, there are other ways to deal with it.

Below are things we've learned, as empaths, that we must do if we want to feel good on a daily basis.

 1) Diet is key. You must be careful about how you fuel your body. Sugar and junk food will affect how you feel more so than other people, so it's best to avoid it as much as possible. Also, go easy on fruit sugar and make sure you are getting enough quality protein.

2) Regular exercise makes everyone feel better, and it's especially important for empaths. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, of course, and a crowded gym might not be the best place for you.

3) Make sure to schedule alone time to recharge; reading or walks in nature are two good ways. Regular solitude is a healing balm to the spiritually sensitive.

4) Be careful of who you allow in your inner circle. Don't try to save toxic people.

5) Meditate daily to clear your mind and calm your energy. There are many ways to meditate. For beginners, we recommend just sitting quietly with your eyes closed, and focusing exclusively on your breathing, a mantra, or counting from one to 500.

6) Burn white sage or use other energy clearing and protection methods to keep your space energetically clean. We've written other articles about helpful psychic protection tricks. The more you use them, and the more faith and confidence you have in your ability to use them, the more effective they will be.

7) Know that you always have access to spiritual help and protection from the other side. We call upon Arch Angel Michael for clearing and protection often, and there's no such thing as asking for too much help of him, or other helpful guides and beings of the Light, or God.

8) When you are feeling down, anxious, or otherwise negative, stop, breath, and ask yourself, "Are these feelings from me or someone else?" even if you are alone, you may be picking up other people's thoughts or energy from many miles away. You have the option to reject outside, negative energy and the right to feel good. Stand your ground and refuse to take on the energy of others. Sometimes you just have to not care.

9) Finally, you need to be aware of the information we've shared previously about spirit attachment and possession, which can be more of a problem for empaths. A weakened energy state, due to various reasons such as excess drinking, drugs, or stress, can inadvertently invite toxic energy in the form of stray souls, entities, or even demonic energy, which can greatly interfere with all areas of your life.  It isn't easy maintaining a balanced state of mind as an empath but following these tips will help you feel better. You'll also have more energy to use your empathic ability in positive ways, such as being able to understand others' perspectives acutely well, and offering guidance when appropriate.

Copyright © Stephen Petullo, Scott Petullo

Scott Petullo and Stephen Petullo help people make the most of their spirituality. The free Direct Your Destiny e-book can help you get on the right path with time-tested, invaluable spiritual tips, methods, and insights. Includes 13 Spiritual and New Age Myths and 11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Psychic. http://www.holisticmakeover.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Petullo
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7778447

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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Proving the Techniques to Flow with Ascension Process

While writing my book, Shifting into Purer Consciousness, I started dealing with an emotional storm and had to apply (prove) the techniques I was discovering in my research. I was urged to really start paying attention and calling myself out every time I had a negative thought. If the thought was not something I wanted to manifest, I had to change it immediately and substitute that thought with one that was in line with the mind of Christ. Or, just go into the silence within. Whatever you do, avoid fighting or engaging with these impure thoughts.

In other words, before I could produce this book, I had to get busy cleaning out my own closet and getting rid of my own physical, mental, and emotional garbage.

My body, mind, emotions, finances, relationships, literally everything has been transformed by the writing of this book. Spirit’s healing touch is upon this work and I believe other people who read it may have already begun a purification process. They may already feel the ascension symptoms listed in my book and know that something is crazy different, but they don’t know what’s causing it or what to do about it. I share my story in the book because I want those who are having similar experiences to know that they are not crazy—that everything is okay. Knowledge can go a long way to relieve anxiety and help people flow with the work Spirit is doing.

I want my readers to understand that we’re going into a higher consciousness; I encourage them to hang on during the process. Because we’re in this together and we can help one make this marvelous shift within. Shifting into purer consciousness affects everything in life. How can I help you with managing this transformation?

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

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Secrets For Sensitive People To Find Relationships That Work: Why Emotional Empaths May Stay Lonely Or Alone

Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s book “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Three Rivers Press, 2011)

Loneliness gets to some more than others. But why it hangs on isn’t always apparent when read by traditional medical eyes. In my practice and workshops I’ve been struck by how many sensitive, empathic people who I call “emotional empaths” come to me, lonely, wanting a romantic partner, yet remaining single for years. Or else they’re in relationships but feel constantly fatigued and overwhelmed. The reason isn’t simply that “there aren’t enough emotionally available people ‘out there,’” nor is their burnout “neurotic.” Personally and professionally, I’ve discovered that something more is going on.

Emotional empaths are a species unto themselves. Whereas others may thrive on the togetherness of being a couple, for empaths like me, too much togetherness can be hard to take, may cause us to bolt. Why? We tend to intuit and absorb our partner’s energy, and become overloaded, anxious, or exhausted when we don’t have time to decompress in our own space. We’re super-responders; our sensory experience of relationship is the equivalent of feeling objects with fifty fingers instead of five. Energetically sensitive people unknowingly avoid romantic partnership because deep down they’re afraid of getting engulfed. Or else, they feel engulfed when coupled, a nerve-wracking, constrictive way to live. If this isn’t understood, empaths can stay perpetually lonely; we want companionship, but, paradoxically, it doesn’t feel safe. One empath-patient told me, “It helps explain why at thirty-two I’ve only had two serious relationships, each lasting less than a year.” Once we empaths learn to set boundaries and negotiate our energetic preferences, intimacy becomes possible.

For emotional empaths to be at ease in a relationship, the traditional paradigm for coupling must be redefined. Most of all, this means asserting your personal space needs--the physical and time limits you set with someone so you don’t feel they’re on top of you. Empaths can’t fully experience emotional freedom with another until they do this. Your space needs can vary with your situation, upbringing, and culture. My ideal distance to keep in public is at least an arm’s length. In doctors’ waiting rooms I’ll pile my purse and folders on the seats beside me to keep others away. With friends it’s about half that. With a mate it’s variable. Sometimes it’s rapture being wrapped in his arms; later I may need to be in a room of my own, shut away. One boyfriend who truly grasped the concept got me a “Keep Out” sign for my study door! For me, this was a sign of true love. All of us have an invisible energetic border that sets a comfort level. Identifying and communicating yours will prevent you from being bled dry by others. Then intimacy can flourish, even if you’ve felt suffocated before. Prospective mates or family members may seem like emotional vampires when you don’t know how to broach the issue of personal space. You may need to educate others--make clear that this isn’t about not loving them--but get the discussion going. Once you can, you’re able to build progressive relationships.

If you’re an empath or if the ordinary expectations of coupledom don’t jibe with you practice the following tips.

DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL SPACE NEEDS
Tips for empaths to feel at ease in a relationship

Tip 1. What to say to a potential mate
As you’re getting to know someone, share that you’re a sensitive person, that you periodically need quiet time. The right partner will be understanding; the wrong person will put you down for being “overly sensitive,” won’t respect your need.

Tip 2. Clarify your preferred sleep style
Traditionally, partners sleep in the same bed. However, some empaths never get used to this, no matter how caring a mate. Nothing personal; they just like their own sleep space. Speak up about your preferences. Feeling trapped in bed with someone, not getting a good night’s rest, is torture. Energy fields blend during sleep, which can overstimulate empaths. So, discuss options with your mate. Separate beds. Separate rooms. Sleeping together a few nights a week. Because non-empaths may feel lonely sleeping alone, make compromises when possible.

Tip 3. Negotiate your square footage needs
You may be thrilled about your beloved until you live together. Experiment with creative living conditions so your home isn’t a prison. Breathing room is mandatory. Ask yourself, “What space arrangements are optimal?” Having an area to retreat to, even if it’s a closet? A room divider? Separate bathrooms? Separate houses? I prefer having my own bedroom/office to retreat to. I also can see the beauty of separate wings or adjacent houses if affordable. Here’s why: conversations, scents, coughing, movement can feel intrusive. Even if my partner’s vibes are sublime, sometimes I’d rather not sense them even if they’re only hovering near me. I’m not just being finicky; it’s about maintaining well-being if I live with someone.

Tip 4. Travel wisely
Traveling with someone, you may want to have separate space too. Whether my companion is romantic or not, I’ll always have adjoining rooms with my own bathroom. If sharing a room is the only option, hanging a sheet as a room divider will help. “Out of sight” may make the heart grow fonder.

Tip 5. Take regular mini-breaks
Empaths require private downtime to regroup. Even a brief escape prevents emotional overload. Retreat for five minutes into the bathroom with the door shut. Take a stroll around the block. Read in a separate room. One patient told her boyfriend, “I need to disappear into a quiet room for ten minutes at a party, even if I’m having fun,” a form of self-care that he supports.
  
In my medical practice, I’ve seen this creative approach to relationships save marriages and make ongoing intimacies feel safe, even for emotional empaths (of all ages) who’ve been lonely and haven’t had a long-term partner before. Once you’re able to articulate your needs, emotional freedom in your relationships is possible

Judith Orloff MD, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and intuition expert, is author of the New York Times Bestseller Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life (Three Rivers Press, 2011) Her other bestsellers are Positive Energy, Intuitive Healing, and Second Sight. Dr. Orloff synthesizes the pearls of traditional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition and energy medicine. She passionately believes that the future of medicine involves integrating all this wisdom to achieve emotional freedom and total wellness. www.drjudithorloff.com

FREE MINI VIDEO CLASSES ON YOUTUBE FOR YOU!
Please check out “Dr. Orloff’s Living Room Series” to find out more about the special method Dr. Orloff recommends to remember your dreams and other topics to build the power within. Stop by www.youtube.com/judithorloffmd anytime.

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PURCHASE paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings,and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon. The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.

We Are Always Sending and Receiving Energy

Inhale, exhale. Whether it’s negative or positive, everyone is sending and receiving energy all the time. We are energy and so is everything else! Empaths tend to be a more sensitive to energy shifts.

An empath is someone who very keenly picks up the energy of others around them. Empaths are sensitive to the energy around them—environmental as well as the electronic and human energies.  Empaths are those you might call highly-sensitive people. They are the person in your family who cried a lot. They unknowingly carry burdens that belong to someone else; and that’s what causes so many problems for the empathic or very sensitive person. They don’t realize that what they are dealing with energetically is not their own stuff. They are so tuned in to energy around them that they pick up detrimental energy, and it’s causing all kinds of disturbances in their emotional, physical, and mental health.

All of her life, I was like a receptacle for all of the stuff that was going on around me as I carried energetic burdens for others. When I turned forty her life fell apart at the seams emotionally. I had been praying a lot for others, and carrying their burdens in prayer without realizing that I was taking them to God and then picking them back up and carrying them as if I was the one who could do fix the problem or do something to change another person’s life.

As a result, I became very depressed. I was stuck in a very limited, fear-based fundamental religion that had taught me to be subservient in my relationship with my first husband. That was taking a toll on me emotionally in addition to the sensitivity that I had as an empath. I wanted to break free and make some changes to become the empowered woman I now am. That was the beginning of my spiritual shift in the late 1990s, but trying to make those shifts ended up destroying what was left of a troubled marriage. I knew I was not going to be able to grow spiritually if I stayed in that marriage and remained under a suppressive mindset that required me as a wife to submit to my husband in all things without question and do what the church says.

Choosing a new path led me to understand my spiritual or psychic gift of energy sensitivity. Without boundaries, I had been leaking energy everywhere, and was picking up energy that was detrimental to me. Over a period of about ten years I learned some grounding and centering techniques and began practicing protective exercises to get well. My first book, Whose Stuff Is This? ~ Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You, includes those methods that had proven effective for her. That book also contains the story of my journey as an untrained empath, which allows others to witness how energy mismanagement can take its toll on a person. I also give examples to help remedy the situations. It’s a very transforming and powerful book. It’s the manual that I wish I’d had ten years ago!

Yvonne Perry is the author of several books. Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience is designed to make spiritual growth easier and quicker. (http://ShiftingintoPurerConsciousness.com) 

More Than Meets the Eye: True Stories about Death, Dying and Afterlife addresses suicide, near-death experience, end of life decisions, euthanasia, and spirit visits from the “deceased.” (http://deathdyingafterlilfe.com) 

The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children provides a role model for parents while entertaining children with stories that teach life lessons (http://WhoseStuffIsThis.com). 

Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You, is a resource for sensitive people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. Paperback is available at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

Go to We Are One in Spirit http://weare1inspirit.com to access Yvonne's blogs, podcast, articles, videos, audios, bookstore, workshops, and other spiritual resources.

Learn more about the ascension process in Shifting into Purer Consciousness ~ Integrating Spiritual Transformation with the Human Experience. Yvonne Perry is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/coaching.htm for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.

Are You An Emotional Empath?

Adapted from Dr. Judith Orloff’s new book “Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life” (Three Rivers Press, 2011)

Empaths are highly sensitive, finely tuned instruments when it comes to emotions. They feel everything, sometimes to an extreme, and are less apt to intellectualize feelings. Intuition is the filter through which they experience the world. Empaths are naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and good listeners. If you want heart, empaths have got it. Through thick and thin, they’re there for you, world-class nurturers.

The trademark of empaths is that they know where you’re coming from. Some can do this without taking on people’s feelings. However, for better or worse, others, like myself and many of my patients, can become angst-sucking sponges. This often overrides the sublime capacity to absorb positive emotions and all that is beautiful. If empaths are around peace and love, their bodies assimilate these and flourish. Negativity, though, often feels assaultive, exhausting. Thus, they’re particularly easy marks for emotional vampires, whose fear or rage can ravage empaths. As a subconscious defense, they may gain weight as a buffer. When thin, they’re more vulnerable to negativity, a missing cause of overeating explored in my book Positive Energy. Plus, an empath’s sensitivity can be overwhelming in romantic relationships; many stay single since they haven’t learned to negotiate their special cohabitation needs with a partner.

When empaths absorb the impact of stressful emotions, it can trigger panic attacks, depression, food, sex and drug binges, and a plethora of physical symptoms that defy traditional medical diagnosis from fatigue to agorophobia. Since I’m an empath, I want to help all my empath-patients cultivate this capacity and be comfortable with it.

Empathy doesn’t have to make you feel too much all the time. Now that I can center myself and refrain from shouldering civilization’s discontents, empathy continues to make me freer, igniting my compassion, vitality, and sense of the miraculous. To determine whether you’re an emotional empath, take the following quiz.

QUIZ: AM I AN EMPATH?

Ask yourself:

• Have I been labeled as “too emotional” or overly sensitive?
• If a friend is distraught, do I start feeling it too?
• Are my feelings easily hurt?
• Am I emotionally drained by crowds, require time alone to revive?
• Do my nerves get frayed by noise, smells, or excessive talk?
• Do I prefer taking my own car places so that I can leave when I please?
• Do I overeat to cope with emotional stress?
• Am I afraid of becoming engulfed by intimate relationships?

If you answer “yes” to 1-3 of these questions, you’re at least part empath. Responding “yes” to more than 3 indicates that you’ve found your emotional type.

Recognizing that you’re an empath is the first step in taking charge of your emotions instead of constantly drowning in them. Staying on top of empathy will improve your self-care and relationships.

Emotional Action Step. How To Find Balance

Practice these strategies to center yourself.

• Allow quiet time to emotionally decompress. Get in the habit of taking calming mini-breaks throughout the day. Breathe in some fresh air. Stretch. Take a short walk around the office. These interludes will reduce the excessive stimulation of going non-stop.
• Practice guerilla meditation. To counter emotional overload, act fast and meditate for a few minutes. This centers your energy so you don’t take it on from others.
• Define and honor your empathic needs. Safeguard your sensitivities. Here’s how.
  
  • If someone asks too much of you, politely tell them “no.” It’s not necessary to explain why. As the saying goes, “No is a complete sentence.”
  • If your comfort level is three hours max for socializing--even if you adore the people--take your own car or have an alternate transportation plan so you’re not stranded.
  • If crowds are overwhelming, eat a high-protein meal beforehand (this grounds you) and sit in the far corner of, say, a theatre or party, not dead center.
  • If you feel nuked by perfume, nicely request that your friends refrain from wearing it around you. If you can’t avoid it, stand near a window or take frequent breaks to catch a breath of fresh air outdoors.
  • If you overeat to numb negative emotions, practice the guerilla meditation mentioned above, before you’re lured to the refrigerator, a potential vortex of temptation. As an emergency measure, keep a cushion by the fridge so you can be poised to meditate instead of binge.
  • Carve out private space at home. Then you won’t be stricken by the feeling of too much togetherness. (Chapter 8 discusses nontraditional living settings compatible with an empath’s comfort zone.)

Over time, I suggest adding to this list to keep yourself covered. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you’re on emotional overload. With pragmatic strategies to cope, empaths can have quicker retorts, feel safer, and their talents can blossom.



Judith Orloff MD, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and intuition expert, is author of the New York Times Bestseller Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life (Three Rivers Press, 2011) Her other bestsellers are Positive Energy, Intuitive Healing, and Second Sight. Dr. Orloff synthesizes the pearls of traditional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition and energy medicine. She passionately believes that the future of medicine involves integrating all this wisdom to achieve emotional freedom and total wellness. www.drjudithorloff.com

FREE MINI VIDEO CLASSES ON YOUTUBE FOR YOU!
Please check out “Dr. Orloff’s Living Room Series” to find out more about the special method Dr. Orloff recommends to remember your dreams and other topics to build the power within. Stop by www.youtube.com/judithorloffmd anytime.


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PURCHASE paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings,and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon. The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.

Being Empathic As a Child

Are you an empath? Do you feel other people’s emotions and their pain? On a more positive note, you may also feel their great joy when your heart opens up to someone next to you. Helping other people realize they have similar empathic experiences and how to use it to their benefit is very rewarding.

When Sheryl Glick was my guest on We Are One in Spirit Podcast, she spoke about empaths and spiritual gifts. I’ll share a few highlights from that interview here and you may listen to the entire interview at http://dld.bz/bqFzj.

Yvonne: Sheryl was an empath as a child, but was not aware of it. Her father, who is a doctor, was not aware of the depth of Sheryl’s sensitivity and neither were the teachers and medical people who dealt with her. So they only considered her to be a bright sensitive child. They thought she would outgrow the stomachaches, the anxious frightened feelings that she expressed to them on a regular basis. This discomfort she often experienced was not her own discomfort. She was very sensitive to the energy around her and to other people. Now that she knows how to work with it she helps herself and other people to be healthy, vibrant, and to use this as a spiritual gift to make people more comfortable with who they are. This great talent.

Sheryl: It’s a great gift from spirit. Some people will say it’s not because they don’t want to feel uncomfortable. But it’s a great way to learn about the world and yourself through having heightened senses and feelings. We’re here on this earth to have an emotional experience and to learn more about ourselves. We can’t always just feel the good feelings; sometimes we have to feel challenging experiences and energies so we can learn how to balance those energies and balance our physical life with it. Our soul and spiritual life become mature—we are both physical beings and spiritual beings.

Yvonne: Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly working with energy. If you are an empath, you are energy sensitive. The reason this is so draining and you feel so much discomfort is because you have not learned how to work with energy. Perhaps you’ve not learned how to use your upper chakras, like the six chakra (the third eye) or seventh chakra (cosmic input), to receive a picture rather than receiving sensory input in your body. Once you learn how to work with your upper chakras, you will not take so much into your second (sacral) and third (emotional) energy centers. You will be using your upper chakras and the information will be coming from source rather than from the person who is leaking or siphoning energy.

Sheryl: Let me give a little example about working with the lower chakras. When I was in college I went to the San Gennaro Fair in New York City. At this Italian festival there were so many people. All of a sudden my heart started to palpitate. I felt anxious in my stomach. I felt heavy in my legs. I felt pressure on my head. I said “What is this? Why am I feeling like this? This is a wonderful place.”

There was so many people, so many emotions—some happy, some angry, some fearful, some straining to buy something, someone making decisions—and it was just too much energy coming in for me at that point because I had no protection. I now know how to protect myself and help others to protect themselves in any situation. I could now go to that place without having a negative impact again because I know how to handle my own energy and the energy of other people. At that time I didn’t know what that was all about.

I’m sure there are many people listening today who have these sensitivities and think they are a hypochondriac perhaps, or they think there is something wrong with them. There’s nothing wrong with them. They are just very gifted people. Sensitives who have the need to develop this connection from Spirit can develop on all levels. Perhaps they can go from being an empath to an intuitive to a healer to a psychic and a medium because all these spiritual gifts are available to all of us. If we work and grow ourselves instead of blaming others and focusing on what other people are doing. We concentrate on learning more about what makes us vibrant and happy and fulfilled in this life.

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

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Feeling the Energy of Certain Places

Mt. Shasta, the Himalayas, Sedona, and other places around the world have a high vortex of extraordinary energy that you can feel when you are there. As empaths, we can feel energy anywhere—good, bad, or indifferent. We even feel the energy at the Wal-Mart! When some empaths walk into a shopping center they may suddenly get very sluggish because the energy is very heavy whenever people are making a lot of choices. Decisions about spending money, may generate a feeling of lack, anger, or fear. They see someone wearing a nice outfit and perhaps there is jealousy. There are a lot of negative or lower vibrations in public places—some tend to have more harmful or uncomfortable unpleasant energies than others. But, sensitive people can feel all of it.

It’s important to focus on the positive, uplifting energy of your own divinity within you whenever you are in public. Think of how you feel the wonderful divine energy when you are in the beauty of nature! Mentally go there to rejuvenate and renew yourself by feeling grateful, blessed, loved, and happy. By spending five minutes in your Sacred Heart Center before you leave home, you can carry this high-vibrational energetic signature with you all day. It will beam forth from your heart full of love. A cup that is overflowing cannot receive anything more, it must spill over. And, since your fullness is from an unlimited Source, you never have to run dry; you can continually be filled with Spirit.

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon. The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices. Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

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Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No

Say the word “yes” right now to yourself.  Yes.  That vibration is what we get when we are excited about helping people, or healing, which is what many would say we are born to do.  What happens is we get out of balance when we say yes too often or want to help too much. 

No is a very powerful tool in setting boundaries.  And, who doesn’t want better boundaries?  One of the ways to create this magical state is to learn to say “no.”  Think of the situations in your life right now where perhaps you’ve been saying yes too much.  This may give you a feeling in the pit of your stomach or a feeling in your gut that is asking you to do the opposite. This vibration may cause you to start thinking, “Hmmmm, maybe I should say no.” Maybe spirit or my highest self is asking you to say no for the sake of yourself and everyone else.

If we don’t have respect and boundaries for ourselves as empaths, we’re not going to be much help to others.  I encourage you to make a pledge to yourself that you are no longer going to do _____ (whatever your gut is saying you’re doing too much of).  For some if may be as simple as refusing to engage someone in a 5-minute conversation—maybe they are asking you for some kind of advice.  This is real common, we all have co-workers, loved ones, family, and friends who call upon us because we have healing ability.  People are for the most part naturally drawn to empaths. We’re magnetic and people want our energy or input.

It might be as simple as just saying “no” and walking away from a 2- to 5-minute conversation. You know that those 5-minute conversations can attack your nervous system. Many develop chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. These diseases in which are energetic origin and manifest in many empaths as the result of over engagement.  When we perpetually over engage, our nervous systems shut down over time. It tries to protect us by shutting the chakras or meridians so we don’t take on too much. It’s attempting to slow us down. It’s important that you listen to your gut and learn to say no. 

Purchase the full 8 hours of Empaths Shifting into 2012 Telesummit at http://weare1inspirit.com

Dr. Michael Smith is a coach, licensed counselor, healing practitioner, spiritual medium, and self-help author. His book for empaths is Navigating 2012: Thriving in Earth's New Age.  Access Dr. Smith's free materials including his monthly newsletter on (http://www.Empathconnection.com).

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PURCHASE paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon. The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.

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Is the Energy of Others Draining You?

Empaths are reporting that they can sense a deep emotional connection to other people. Sometimes it’s very draining and they are not sure how to deal with it.

Empaths are energy sensitive beings; that is part of who we are and we’re always going to be that way. However, there is a way you can filter the energy and calm it down and have your own personal peace so you are able to radiate peace from within. In chapter 9 of Whose Stuff Is This?, I give a list of things that people can do to help ground and center the energy they are dealing with and I give some visualization techniques that can be used to work with energy. People have reported that these exercises are really helping them. That’s because they raise the vibration not only of your body but also your auric field and your soul’s vibration. So the detrimental things around you tend to bounce off.
If you are familiar with the Bible you may recall the scripture about putting up a shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the evil one. We’re not calling anyone evil but we do have an electromagnetic field around us that can be strengthened with some spiritual purification practices such as deep breathing, prayers or meditation, affirmations, or grounding and centering exercises. So when that detrimental energy comes to us it hits that field like a bubble, which is flexible and is not going to pop like a soap bubble. It’s more like amniotic fluid surrounding a baby; it cushions and protects the beautiful life within. It’s the same way with us; when our aura (field) is strengthened, we are not as impacted by the environment outside of our bubble. 

Many times empaths allow their auras to be thin and they pick up a lot of stuff. They tend to mesh their our field with other people’s fields, especially on a crowded subway, on a bus, or in a shopping mall where there is a cacophony of energy running wild. These are the places where empaths are the most uncomfortable. When there is a large crowd of people or there is a large crowd of people in a situation where there is a lot of grief or mourning going on, we tend to pick that up quite easily.

Some of those exercises in my book will definitely help strengthen the aura. There are some practices on whosestuffisthis.com that will help people to be able to put up better boundaries. I’m not going to say protective barriers because we’re not walling off anybody and there’s really nothing to be protected from; it is a good practice to maintain your own energy field and body so you can continue to do the work that you’ve been called to do. 

When I pick up something that I know is not mine, I realize now that I’ve gotten it for the purpose of transmuting that energy. One way to do that is to call on the ascended master Saint Germaine and the violent flame of transmutation. I imagine that any detrimental energy within me is being drawn outward and into a ball of light. It’s coming out of my field and out of my body into a ball of light. Then I toss the ball into the air and allow Saint Germaine to zap it with the violet flame and transmute it into love, joy, peace, happiness—all the positive things that we want more of on the planet. You’re using a higher frequency by calling on an ascended master. You are not keeping it in your body or in your field where it could to do more damage. 

On whosestuffisthis.com there are resources, articles, visualizations, books, and other things that can help empaths start understanding how to use energy. 
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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

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The Empath and the Internet

The Pleiadian Light through Hannah Beaconsfield Question: Do people who are empaths have as difficult a time when surfing the Internet as they do when they pick up energies from other individuals, places or groups of people?

First, we wish to point out that your current designation of “empaths” who have difficulties when taking on outside energies defines a person who is in a state of transition. Those who are sensitive and open to picking up other people’s energy and feelings are in the process of developing expanded perceptions on many different levels.

The empaths who are discomforted by other people’s feelings and energies are learning by way of their reactions that, first of all, these are not their feelings; they have been taken on from others. This creates the awareness of the phenomenon for empaths and then opens a way to hold expanded perceptions but still maintain their own power base, personal integrity and freedom from unwanted attachments.

In other words, the empath “feels the pain” of others, initially, to help them recognize their abilities. The discomforts prime them to search for a means of self-protection and to use the gift to aid the ascension of others, as well as themselves.

Empaths need to be like a sturdy pitcher, which can take on and hold any liquid without effect or changes to their own form and substance. The pitcher/empath may then pour the liquid back to the world around them as a means of disseminating information or they may transmute the liquid/data and then pour it back to the world in an altered form. This could be transmuting dark aspects or illnesses and integrating them with positive energy.

There are many who are offering advice on how to protect oneself and use the gift constructively. If you are an uncomfortable empath, ask the universe to guide you to a source with which you feel most aligned in order to learn how to use your abilities and still protect yourself. Grounding is imperative, as it is with all elements of the transformational process.

A number of years ago we wrote about empaths as “good Samaritans” who helped others with their burdens. We stand by this concept as one of the means by which empathetic skills can be of value to others. This is one of the basic patterns of life relationships. Parents will take on difficult situations so their children don’t have to. Your current Earth life may take on circumstances for a former incarnation in order to resolve conditions that couldn’t be handled in the previous life. And even your animal companions will take on some challenges to relieve the burdens you carry. In this way the Samaritan concept applies to the situation.

Now, as to the effects of the internet on empaths: When you step into cyberspace, it is like entering a foreign country. Although, for the most part, your language is spoken in this land and you are becoming more and more familiar with the terrain. There are still many areas of this virtual world that are like strange towns with people who may be very different from you. You don’t really know what kinds of energies they generate and radiate and how they may affect you.

The ordinary 3D person, with dense vibrations, generally skips from one site to another oblivious of any potential problems and without ill effects. For empaths, however, this can be another source of possible difficulties. You call this foreign country a “virtual reality,” which is a reality that has all the effects of the material world that you know, without actually fulfilling the definition as such. If the empath operates from a deep sense of unity, which is the true nature of all that is, they are open to picking up vibrations, feelings or intensions from any source including those received through the internet. Therefore, the empath is vulnerable to this virtual world the same as their every day living plane.

Empaths may find that they feel uncomfortable or ill after they have been on line. The reactions may vary depending on what sites have been visited, as they would when visiting different parts of a strange city. There may be tension in the neck, shoulders or lower back from unconsciously resisting energies. More and more Earth individuals will be facing these experiences as they enter the ascension process because it involves opening to new energy levels across the board.

The help for this circumstance is the same as it is for handling anything in your work-a-day world: You recognize what is happening and then you learn and institute protective measures. Eventually this skill will not be felt as an intrusion into your own reality. Those who do take on the form of empathy that allows for symptoms and feelings to be absorbed, will do so consciously for the purpose of transmuting energies for healing and other forms of transformation. When the changes are complete and the healing or other results have taken place in the subject, the empath simply releases the connection and no longer experiences any residue of the subject’s problem.

As we stated earlier, each empath must seek the best method suited to their individuality to protect themselves and still channel their gifts constructively. Each time the empath prepares to go on line, they need to take a moment to meditate or pray, asking that their individual unit is held sacrosanct when exposed to disrupting energies. This is the same as they would do when they prepare to interact with their living plane world or confront difficult people.

Remember we are always close by to help you, as are other members of your ET family, angels, and other personal power sources. You have a huge backup of benign energies working with you. You are never handling these challenges alone. We wish you Peace.


[Note from the channel: I recently read a meditation by Cathy Chapman who channels Amma. I’ll paraphrase it here as I adjusted it for my own use.

Many of us focus on Archangel Michael as a source of protective energy. I’ve asked to use his sword to sever negative attachments and create a protective shield. Cathy Chapman’s channeling pushes this type of request to a new level that I found immediately powerful.

She suggests that you touch your heart center using Archangel Michael’s sword, activating unconditional love energy and setting the chakra spinning. You then absorb the essence of the sword into your heart and say with all the power inherent in this vision, “I AM THE SWORD!”

The strength of the vision is in becoming the power source as opposed to being the passive recipient of help from an outside energy. I live in New York City and am hit with all sorts of energies the moment I step out side. I have been using this imagery and these words and I’m amazed at how effective it is.

If you want to read Cathy Chapman’s article containing this information, it is in the February 2012 issue of The Sedona Journal of Emergence.]

Recommended reading: WHOSE STUFF IS THIS? – Yvonne Perry with Caron Goode, Ed.D. BOOKS BY HANNAH BEACONSFIELD

WELCOME TO PLANET EARTH, A Guide for Walk-ins, Starseeds, and Lightworkers
Light Technology Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-891824-93-7
ISBN-10: 1-891824-93-7
Order: 800-450-0985

RIDING THE PHOENIX: Surviving the Global Resurrection (Revised Edition)
ISBN 1-4208-1806-6
Order: 888-280-7715
ALSO available as an eBook from www.authorhouse.com - $2.95 formatted for your eReader

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

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