“Thriving As An Empath: A Daily Guide To Empower Sensitive People,” Judith Orloff, M.D.
By Shelley Karpaty
I recall the moment I felt the pain of the world and my little suburban elementary school life became massive and overwhelming. I was 8 years old, found out that Elvis had died and a wave of expansive sadness came over me. I thought, “Now I’ll never get to see him perform.”
Another sensitive moment of my formidable years was when John Lennon was murdered. The sorrow was palatable everywhere, on t.v., in the streets, in school, out of school, between the buildings, in the air. I sobbed in my room about the world’s weight of unjust problems and despair. I truly felt the loss of this special human being who had touched so many lives.
I used to defend the server at the restaurant when my parents mentioned she was rude. I’d pip up and say, “Maybe she was having a bad day.” Early on in my life I briefly understood that the way people act has nothing to do with you and everything to do with themselves. My mom desperately wanted to protect me from disappointment and pain because she could see what a sensitive being I was. Looking back, I can now understand her moments of being way overprotective.
Years later, I had a reading with a spirit guide and she called out, “You’re an empath, dear.” She went on to explain all kinds of other epiphanies and the synaptic pathways and my brain danced. And of course now all the empath articles, people and books started showing up to educate myself on what this means and how I can manage it. An empath is someone who is an emotional sponge who feels more than others and can take on the vibrations of others. They are deep intuitive knowing can often sense what a person is thinking simply from their body language and vibration. Learning how to understand these traits in me as gifts that have been a journey for my personal growth.
A few years ago I was introduced to, The Empath's Survival Guide: Life's Strategies for Sensitive People by Dr. Judith Orloff which showed me ways to self-care as an empath. I underlined that book with “YES!” written in the margins all over the place. It was like it was written specifically for me.
Judith’s latest book coming out in October, Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self Care for Sensitive People , an in-depth companion to the Survival Guide. Although it is helpful to have both books this exploration can be experienced on its own.
One of my favorite learnings was about time, the cycle of our moon and equinox of the seasons. Chronos and Kairos, the Greek concepts of time coincide with everything we do. Chronos is measured in seconds, months, years and is very linear. Kairos is sacred, nonlinear, connects to awareness, the infinite realm of the soul. Most of us live in Chronos, getting through that Monday working and plowing through to the weekend by paying attention to the days passing. Reading and practicing with Judith’s book has brought my awareness of the sacred, internal pulsing of my intuition. The book has a dated daily thought or meditation which I use after I complete my personal meditation. Often when I open the day of reflection the synchronicities blast on through. It’s been quite astounding that every message on the day is exactly where I am mentally and spiritually. Every single time, it provides a deepening to my own reflection and expansive understanding.
Judith’s writing truly allows the space to exist for all empaths on all levels from various self-care practices, perspectives, and meditations as daily offerings. Framing the empathic person as being a gift to the world and learning how to manage all the emotions and boundaries. The ongoing lesson of staying compassionate while having these boundaries and not absorbing the stress of others is one of the most challenging lessons of being an empath. However, with this book, I am able to use this as a compliment to my daily meditation which truly enhances my grounding self-exploration as an empath. This book will be useful to anyone who needs a guide in exploring, accepting and understanding their empathetic nature as one of their most beautiful gifts to offer the world.
Dr. Judith Orloff has multiple speaking engagements in the Bay Area coming up in November. Check the events page for details.
To learn more about Dr. Judith Orloff visit: drjudithorloff.com.
