Empathy ~ An Introduction to Empathy

First I want to thank you all for your interest, and for coming in.
We will be learning…definition of empathy, a little history, we will share in some exercises, have question and answer times, learn about how to safe guard ourselves as in ..grounding, protection, cleansing, balance and focusing. We will also in the same time learn how to shut off the overwhelming take overs we sometimes have.

This first circle, I will mostly talk of the definition of the word Empathy and then I hope to touch on a little history. At the end of this session I will take questions.

Just to give us some type of meaning to the word Empathy. There are many variations, as there are many dictionaries. The one I will use and liked the most is from the American Heritage Dictionary.

Empathy…German

1. Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings and motives.
2. The attribution of one’s own feelings to an object. Attribution meaning…in my words…establishing ones feelings to a particular person, animal, plant, building, etc.

There is a symbol for empathy which you can see above. It shows where there are 2 sides. They are reaching out into each other as in people, animals, plants, buildings. It almost looks like roots reaching from each side to the other. This is what really helps us to understand what the other is feelings and experiencing. In other words we connect ourselves into the other person..etc, and they into us.

Empathy is the ability to not only know or detect what others are feeling, but to also experience that emotion yourself.

Empathy is a connection to the entire universe. In a class later on we will learn ways to disconnect ourselves from others emotional ties, so as to not be overwhelmed.

People who are empathic can be and most times are sympathetic.
Dictionary definition of sympathy

Sympathy…Latin and Greek

1.b. Mutual understanding of affection arising from this relationship or affinity.
2.b. A feeling or an expression of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; compassion or commiseration.

With the knowledge of both Empathy and Sympathy, we can start to understand the differences.

Empathy is to feel the emotion.
Sympathy is to feel for the emotion.

History of Empathy
Empathy has been around since the beginning of time. Between….man, animals, all of their surrounding, to the land they trod on. Then as time went on, people would go to empaths, and touch them, thinking by doing so they would be cleansed and healed, or cured from ailments or emotional takeovers. Thinking that the empath would take on what ever ailed them so they could be whole again.

The word empathy meaning, feeling-in, was coined by the American Psychologist, Edward Titchener. It was a translation of the German word-Einfuhlung. The theory of the Einfuhlung came to be in the latter part of the 19th century. Through the years more people have added their theories. Which all agree that empathy is not projecting one’s own feelings into someone, but is experiencing feelings as though they are their own.

Empathy continues without rest, it doesn’t go away. It is an internal sense, gut instinct if you will. Empathic people are very strong, even though at times we feel so overwhelmed by it. Thus, trying to shut it out can bring on emotional imbalance. Once we realize it is that we fully understand another persons pain and emotions, that is when we become our strongest. We no longer have to wonder why we feel their pains or emotions. Then we realize we are putting ourselves in their shoes.

Empathy starts in childhood, and is carried throughout our lives. Empathy is the ability to feel emotions, physical, and spiritual energy. This can be read as images or feelings. Empathic people sense things, which others can’t. Empaths are sensitive enough to read people. This sensitivity can sometimes be overwhelming. Once it is understood, then we can get a hold on it.

I will at this time take any questions or concerns.

How do we shut it off? We will touch on that in a class. Have you heard of cutting the ties that bind us? That is one of the ways to do it.

Are we affected by the moon? Yes we are very much so, we go on to talk of the moon and how it affects us later. Oh good I’m not going mad then! No your not!

With today’s herbalist it makes sense about the plants, in how they find ways to use the plants for medicines. Yes plants have been used from the beginning of time, for our health and to nourish our bodies.

If we have a lot going on do we still feel the empathy? Yes, empathy is an internal sensing, it never stops or goes away.

I have felt before when someone is going to die and then later on they do, is that the same as empathy? Yes, you sensed what was going on in their bodies.

Does empathy help in healing? Yes I believe healing goes hand in hand with empathy.

Next week I will touch on some of the levels to empathy.

Empathy ~ An Introduction to Empathy

What is Empathy, Definition of Empathy and Sympathy, History of Empathy

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