expandedconsciousness.com

4 Popular Myths And MisconceptionsAbout Being An Empath

Posted By Expanded Consciousness on April 4, 2015

by ALETHEIA LUNA

Thin-skinned, hyper-sensitive, sooky, wimpy, spineless, wussy,feeble, weak, fragile, melodramatic, temperamental

If you can relate to, or have been called a combination of any ofthese words, chances are youre part of a unique group of people:the Empaths.

Occurring in an estimated 5% of the population, Empaths areknown for their highly developed ability to sense the emotions andthoughts of the people around them. As author and EmpathChristel Broederlow put it empaths often possess the ability tosense others on many different levels, this includes the abilities tointimately understand what a person desires, yearns for, and iscurrently feeling, suffering or thinking, as well as the ability to feelother peoples bodily illnesses. These occurances manifestthemselves as energy vibrations that the finely tuned Empath canpick up on, or tune into.

Commonly identifying as clairsentients and HSPs, Empathspossess an ability that is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand,the Empath is an excellent listener and counsellor, knowing thebest way to comfort and assist those around them. On the other,being an Empath can be painful and tiring. Its common for theEmpath to be weighed down and constantly congested with thenegative emotional energy of others, often creating physical andpsychological disharmony.

Although the Empath has a wonderful gift, and is often greatlycherished by those around them, they are often challenged andconfronted by a variety of misguided perceptions towards theirinnate gift.

Myths & Misunderstandings

You need to grow some thicker skin! Stop being so overlysensitive. I wish I could tell you how many times I heard that in mychildhood! Growing up as an Empath, you may have experiencedsimilar insults from your parents, friends or peers, and perhapseven worse.

Its not at all trendy or popular to be sensitive or feeling in oursociety that values efficiency, cold calculation and industrialresilience. Therefore, you may have experienced and stillexperience, a lot of antagonism towards your behavior as anEmpath. I will explore 4 of these main misperceptions below.

Myth #1 Empaths are navel-gazing and self-absorbed.

Truth We often focus more on others than on ourselves.

Its true that Empaths are often unexpainably moody and quiet onthe outside. However, this isnt because theyre excessivelyabsorbed thinking too much about themselves and their feelings.Rather, the Empath is often deeply affected by the exterioremotions of others that he experiences as his own. The Empathsability to intuitively feel the feelings of others is what weighs himdown so much. In fact, its characteristic of the Empath to pay moreattention to others needs than his own.

Myth #2 Empaths are mentally ill.

Truth We are magnets of negative energy. This often createspsychological disbalance within us.

Empaths are excellent listeners, confidants and counselors. For thisreason, its common for people to be drawn towards their sincereand caring natures, almost like magnets. Therefore, Empaths oftenexperience a lot of emotional baggage dumping from otherpeople, and have difficult releasing themselves from the negativeenergy that remains in their minds and bodies afterwards.

Unfortunately, this can lead to a lot of lingering depressive emotionsthat the Empath is left with. Thus, the Empath can appear to bementally ill and depressed, and in some cases legitimately is.However, in most cases the Empath is congested with remnants ofharmful emotional energy, like sinuses are congested with mucusduring a flu virus.

The root of the problem doesnt lie with the Empath, its a result oftheir outer emotional climate.

Myth #3 Empaths are psychologically frail.

Truth We are biologically programmed to be more sensitive and intune with our surrounding environment.

As Empath Nicole Lawler wrote, Empaths are essentially walkingaround in this world with all the accumulated karma, emotions, andenergy from others. Understandably, this results in a lot of inneremotional tension for the Empath who is more prone to crying andexhibiting other signs of weakness.

Additionally, the Empath finds it extremely difficult to partake inmany normal activities. For instance, watching a movie about Naziconcentration camps is extremely emotionally upsetting for theEmpath, and getting a job in an office is overwhelming and tiring forthe Empath who is bombarded with other peoples emotionsconstantly. Therefore, its not surprising that the Empath is oftenperceived as wussy, frail or weak minded to the person whofails to comprehend the constant pressure the Empath lives under.

The fact that most Empaths arent driven clinically insane by theconstant emotional flux they experience is testimony enough totheir mental strength.

Myth #4 Empaths are lazy.

Truth We often lack mental, emotional and physical energy due toour intense empathetic ability to understand others.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) amongst other physical issueslike headaches, insomnia and Fibromyalgia, have all beencommonly attributed to Empaths.

If our minds are constantly overloaded with stress, tension andpressure, it therefore translates that our bodies are as well. Thisoften results in sicknesses such as the ones mentioned above.Thus Empaths often lack the energy and therefore desire to domany things, preferring to relax (including taking naps) instead.

***

If youve experienced any of these misperceptions in your life,please feel free to share your experiences below. Also, feel free totake our free Empath Test. Being an Empath can certainly beriddled with setbacks, however, its invaluable to remember howmuch of an asset you are to the world. Our planet needs a balanceof both hard and industrious people, and soft and empatheticpeople. You form an important part in this great Universal Balance.

Special thanks to Loner Wolf for allowing ExpandedConsciousness to republish their article.