As an empath I am often asked about how I protect myself,  what the implications are for my relationships and how I cope with the different challenges this interesting ability brings. Much has been written on these topics so I would like to explore a universal approach to this phenomenon.

As the energetic beings that we are, we are constantly in interaction with the energies around us, be that other people, environments, animals or foods, just to name a few. We pick up on, resonate with and experience life in different ways through this interaction with our ‘external’ world and it is these very interactions that give us a greater awareness of who and what we are. If we existed alone in a vacuum, we would be unable to experience and continually define ourselves. Yet for many empaths, the ability to merge with other energies often results in exactly that – an inability to define oneself in relation to something else, because that something else becomes a part of you (your energy field) in that moment.

As a consequence, many empaths and sensitives shut down and close off their energy fields, chakras and emotions in an attempt to protect themselves from ‘getting lost’ in, or overwhelmed by, the energy all around them. However, in doing so we close ourselves off from life and encourage energy to remain stagnant within and around us, rather than permitting it to flow THROUGH us. Just like the great rivers, when we allow life to flow, we retain our life force energy, strength and vitality.

If we look at empathic abilities through the universal truth of Oneness (that is, everything consists of the same interconnected energy expressed in different forms), we can see that empaths are souls embodying this interconnectedness that we all share! Empathic abilities pull down the barriers we have created with ‘me’, ‘you’, ‘us’ and ‘them’, unveiling that what we think, feel and do creates energy that affects everyone around us all the time.

Empaths have a gift that highlights and magnifies the energy around them. When the energy is disharmonious they will feel that disharmony within themselves, as if it were their own.

In my experience, awareness and openness are two of the most important keys that enable empaths and sensitives to harness and use this amazing ability to create healing and harmony in themselves and the world ‘around them’. By maintaining a deep awareness of your body and emotional energy, you can better tap into what energy you are picking up on and where it comes from. Remaining energetically and emotionally open will then allow you to fully feel and release (or integrate) this ‘other’ energy so that it is recycled back into the energetic matrix that runs in and around us.

If you are an empath please remember that you have this ability for a reason. Whenever you can, find a place of gentleness in your heart and allow, rather than resist this special gift.

Jeannine is an energetic healer, holistic counsellor and author who practices on the Central Coast.

For questions, appointments or further information about The Beauty Evolution book, please feel free to browse her website or email her directly on essencepower@live.com.au