Being an Empath

Image by magstefan

An empath is a person who actually feels the emotions and/or the physical pains of others. This is not a case of being sensitive to other people's feelings, mind you, but actually experiencing these feelings as your own.

And being an empath can be quite overwhelming, especially if you don't realize that you are an empath. Such was the case with me, until quite recently.

All of my life, I've been labeled as being "overly sensitive." My mother used to taunt me with the accusation that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I have always been fairly moody and my moods change depending upon the moods of those around me. In many ways, my entire personality is based upon the moods, reactions, and opinions of others.

Perhaps not surprisingly, I have suffered from panic attacks all of my life, panic attacks that are (no doubt) caused by my absorbing the sometimes frenetic and anxious energy of others.

Anyway...

I came across an interested video clip describing some of the traits of an empath along with some suggestions on how to minimize absorbing other people's energy. Here it is:

Spiritual or Religious?

Are you spiritual or are you religious? That’s the question asked in a survey conducted by Life Way Research, and the answer of a majority of the respondents is compelling.


Spirituality, it seems, no longer refers to those who espouse New Age beliefs, burn incense, and participate in fire-walking ceremonies. Rather, the study found that those who regularly attend traditional religious ceremonies are just as likely to describe themselves as spiritual as those who follow no traditional religious doctrines.

How can this be?

In his article In the Courier-Journal, reporter Peter Smith quotes this portion of the report by Life Way: :

“Apparently, ‘religious' has fallen out of favor…[t]hose who trust Christ as Savior were particularly likely to describe themselves as more spiritual than religious. This is no longer a term that means ‘I don't have any particular beliefs but believe in spirituality in general.'”

Rejecting that “Religious” Word

I must admit that my own personal beliefs may mirror the results of this study somewhat. I have never described myself as religious, even when I attended regular Christian church services when I was a child. To be religious, to me, means following a very conservative set of rules that robs one of spiritual joy. But I do believe in Jesus even though--yes--I much prefer the word “spiritual” to describe myself.

But…

I also have no particular religious affiliation today. Rather, my own beliefs are a mixture of many different spiritual belief systems. (My home alter, for instance, displays a figurine of Jesus Christ and Buddh, I read the Tao Te Ching, and I meditate to the musky scent of incense).

So…am I spiritual or am I religious?

Are you?

Image by Bill Alexander

Technique for Opening the Third Eye Chakra

There are many techniques for opening the Third Eye, and I’ve just come across a particularly interesting one.


Silver Hammer Tapping Method

As posted in “Growing Self Esteem”

In this technique you break your inhalations into sixteen sniffs and with each sniff visualize a silver hammer tapping the centre of your forehead. But make sure that you keep the sniff so small that you are able to make sixteen sniff to complete one inhalation but exhale in one breath. Again repeat the process, you will soon feel your third eye chakra opening up slowly.

***

I have not tried this method yet, but I plan to do so soon. (The only problem may be correctly pacing my “sniffs” to achieve sixteen of them.)

Why Open the Third Eye

The third eye, located in the center of the forehead, is what I refer to as “the spiritual zone.” Through the third eye, you can achieve enlightenment, glimpse eternity, and develop your intuitive faculties. Although we all have a third eye, few of us have a wide-open one. That’s why it’s so important to practice certain techniques designed to open the third eye. As soon as I get a chance to practice the above technique, I will update you with the results.

In the meantime…

Try the silver hammer tapping method for yourself and let me know how it goes.

Image by vassiliki koutsothanasi

Spiritual Properties of Candles

I love watching the flickering light of a candle in the dark. It’s so beautiful and mesmerizing. I always light candles when I pray or meditate as I visualize my desire as part of the flame, lighting a path through the darkness of conscious knowledge to my ultimate destination.


And I’m not alone. Candles have been used in religious, pagan, and nonsectarian ceremonies for thousands of years. They have been used in magic to summon the forces of both good and evil. They have brought comfort to untold millions.

Here are some quotes about candles that bring me much comfort, as well.

- A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. - James Keller

- How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good dead in a naughty world - William Shakespeare

- It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. - Eleanor Roosevelt

- Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life. - Buddha

- Man loves company - even if it is only that of a small burning candle. - Georg C. Lichtenberg

- Religion is a candle inside a multicolored lantern. Everyone looks through a particular color, but the candle is always there. - Mohammed Naguib

- Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. - Buddha

- You don't have to be a wreck. You don't have to be sick. One's aim in life should be to die in good health. Just like a candle that burns out. - Jeanne Moreau

Quotes taken from Brainy Quote
Image of Candle by Steph Payne 



-

Suble Voice of the Spirit

When I was a kid, I thought that the voice of God would come to me clearly and give me guidance. It wasn't until many years later that I realized that the voice of the spirit is very subtle. In fact, you may not hear it at all unless you prime yourself to hear it.

What does this "priming" process entail?

It means being open to any sign that the Universe may be speaking to you. True, constantly seeing hidden signs may pass for mental illness (so try to be quiet about your "sign seeing") but looking for such signs is the only way that you will start seeing the signs.

God (or the Spirit) speaks to us in coincidences, synchronicities. It speaks to us in the unexpected meetings, a song playing on the radio, a report on the nightly news. Although these seem like total accidents, they are not. Nothing is a coincidence in our inteconnected world (and spirits).

Sometimes, however, the Spirit's voice is louder than at other times.

A few months ago, I found out that I had to move from my apartment and I was concerned about whether I would be able to keep my two dogs. So I asked the Spirit about it. A couple of days later, I received this message from a fellow contributor on Associated Content:

Hi Christine, I just read someplace that you have two lab puppies....I have one old lab (she's 11 1/2) and at times I think there are two of her! I am a lab lover, have been for many years! I wish you a ton of kisses and fun raising two of them!!!

Notice, in particular, the last sentence: "I wish you a ton of kisses and fun raising two of them."  This was the first time that I had received a message from this contributor and the message from Spirit could not have been clearer!!!