Empathic Bunker

[Silvana]

Ahh! I hate being empathic! I can't deal with this anymore!!!!

Phew..ok I had to get that out. It's so strong sometimes that I get headaches, awful headaches around certain people. Meh...still learning how to deal with it.

[Zoey]

Ahh! I hate being empathic! I can't deal with this anymore!!!!



:hugz: I know how ya feel. Sometimes I just wish I could get away from it. I'm going to a funeral for my best friends grapa. Tonights the viewing and tomorrow's the funeral. Thing is, it's a Catholic funeral with a gravesite service with all the trimmings. Long and drawn out and I'm so not looking forward to being around that many grieving people for that amount of time.

[Contra Mundum]

Is this the friend you visited last month? I expect you've opened a connection because you had such a great time together, and over the last few weeks it's just kept getting stronger.

Do you want to close it entirely or just filter it somehow?

Yes it is, It has been gotten way more intense since I last saw her, so I think you have a point.
I just want to filter it, I definitely want to keep a connection with her, It's not all negative.

:fpraise:

[Kalika]

Yes it is, It has been gotten way more intense since I last saw her, so I think you have a point.
I just want to filter it, I definitely want to keep a connection with her, It's not all negative.

:fpraise:

You should be able to adjust your shielding towards your friend enough to filter out what you don't want, or allow it to bounce off. :hugz:

:wave: Welcome to all the new people since the last time I was in here. :lol:

I feel better after having Grace - a lot less is getting through, which is helping my frame of mind quite a bit I think. Sleep-deprived as I am, I'm not projecting or receiving as much as I was when I was pregnant, all of it unwillingly, since I didn't have the energy to block it out.

[Lunacie]

Yes it is, It has been gotten way more intense since I last saw her, so I think you have a point.
I just want to filter it, I definitely want to keep a connection with her, It's not all negative.

:fpraise:

Yep, you can play with filters a bit. What I found that works best for me is to acknowledge that you're picking up something from outside you, realize that it doesn't belong to you, and then just kind of drop it right there. You will still care about your friend and be interesting in what she's feeling or going through, but it won't be competing with your own life and your feelings, eh?

I meant to ask, is your friend also picking up stuff from you? I mean, is this a two-way connection?

[Lunacie]

Forgive me if this is an inappropriate place to post this,
But,
Have any of you Empaths ever picked up 'vibrations' (as I call them) from people using drugs. Seems like I pick it up worse when they're on something like E, Methamphetimines or Crack Cocaine...
I seriously cannot even see them on the street without picking it up,
I start shaking and feeling their energy...
It's even worse when I'm forced to interact or talk with them...

Most of the people I've experienced this with were former friends of aquantinces but it has happened riding the bus or on the street with total strangers.
I just need to get away from them.
It goes away after I cleanse and re-shield myself but I just can't stop it from happening in the first place.

I've experimented a fair bit with drugs myself but the feelings I get from people on some of them are really something else...

Has anyone else had this happen!?
My fiance has the same thing happen to him but I still feel like a freak...


Monster.

Nope, can't say that I've noticed that much. In fact, my daughter took a new prescription drug yesterday and was staggering around the grocery store like she was drunk or had an ear infection, and I wasn't picking up anything beyond her concern over the strange and new side effects.

A couple of weeks ago our drum circle met at the plaza downtown and one guy came by totally stoned or drunk or something and I was amazed at how little he bothered me... but of course he was having a simply marvelous time singing along with us as loudly as possible and I generally have more trouble when I pick up angry or frustrated emotions.

[Lunacie]

Ahh! I hate being empathic! I can't deal with this anymore!!!!

Phew..ok I had to get that out. It's so strong sometimes that I get headaches, awful headaches around certain people. Meh...still learning how to deal with it.

Aww ... [hugs Silvana] :hugz: Ya know, I get horrible headaches - generally figured they were weather-related - never thought of a connection with Empathy. Gonna have to give this some thought.

[Kalika]

Forgive me if this is an inappropriate place to post this,
But,
Have any of you Empaths ever picked up 'vibrations' (as I call them) from people using drugs. Seems like I pick it up worse when they're on something like E, Methamphetimines or Crack Cocaine...
I seriously cannot even see them on the street without picking it up,
I start shaking and feeling their energy...
It's even worse when I'm forced to interact or talk with them...

Most of the people I've experienced this with were former friends of aquantinces but it has happened riding the bus or on the street with total strangers.
I just need to get away from them.
It goes away after I cleanse and re-shield myself but I just can't stop it from happening in the first place.

I've experimented a fair bit with drugs myself but the feelings I get from people on some of them are really something else...

Has anyone else had this happen!?
My fiance has the same thing happen to him but I still feel like a freak...


Monster.


I can tell when someone is using, usually... but from that point, I block them out.

I don't think you're a freak. Especially if you have used them yourself, you may be more sensitive to people who are currently using various drugs.

[Kalika]

Nope, can't say that I've noticed that much. In fact, my daughter took a new prescription drug yesterday and was staggering around the grocery store like she was drunk or had an ear infection, and I wasn't picking up anything beyond her concern over the strange and new side effects.

A couple of weeks ago our drum circle met at the plaza downtown and one guy came by totally stoned or drunk or something and I was amazed at how little he bothered me... but of course he was having a simply marvelous time singing along with us as loudly as possible and I generally have more trouble when I pick up angry or frustrated emotions.

:lol: We must both be back-reading.

[Lunacie]

I feel better after having Grace - a lot less is getting through, which is helping my frame of mind quite a bit I think. Sleep-deprived as I am, I'm not projecting or receiving as much as I was when I was pregnant, all of it unwillingly, since I didn't have the energy to block it out.

Hey, haven't seen you lately - at least not in this forum - and I'd forgotten that said you were having more trouble with Empathy while being pregnant. Glad to hear that it's better now. That may be in part because when you're pregnant your focus is quite internal so you're more aware of what you're feeling and what you're hearing and smelling and picking up empathically. And when you have a newborn you're very focused on the baby instead, and tend to shut out other distractions without realizing it. :thumbsup:

[Lunacie]

:hugz: I know how ya feel. Sometimes I just wish I could get away from it. I'm going to a funeral for my best friends grapa. Tonights the viewing and tomorrow's the funeral. Thing is, it's a Catholic funeral with a gravesite service with all the trimmings. Long and drawn out and I'm so not looking forward to being around that many grieving people for that amount of time.

:hugz: Hospitals and funerals are very difficult for Empaths. Shield, baby, shield!

[Lunacie]

:lol: We must both be back-reading.

Yepper, getting caught up. Hasn't been this much activity here in awhile. Good to hear from everyone and share this way. :hahugh:

[Contra Mundum]

Yep, you can play with filters a bit. What I found that works best for me is to acknowledge that you're picking up something from outside you, realize that it doesn't belong to you, and then just kind of drop it right there. You will still care about your friend and be interesting in what she's feeling or going through, but it won't be competing with your own life and your feelings, eh?

I meant to ask, is your friend also picking up stuff from you? I mean, is this a two-way connection?

Oh yes it's definitely a two way connection.
We are very attuned to each other.
I'm going to try it, and tell her to do the same, thanks.

[Contra Mundum]

You should be able to adjust your shielding towards your friend enough to filter out what you don't want, or allow it to bounce off. :hugz:

:wave: Welcome to all the new people since the last time I was in here. :lol:

I feel better after having Grace - a lot less is getting through, which is helping my frame of mind quite a bit I think. Sleep-deprived as I am, I'm not projecting or receiving as much as I was when I was pregnant, all of it unwillingly, since I didn't have the energy to block it out.

I don't shield at all.
Good to hear you're doing well. :hahugh:

[Pesha]

I am hiding. In too much pain and am very angry. So I love you all and see yuo as soon as this blows over.

[Aleannah]

I am hiding. In too much pain and am very angry. So I love you all and see yuo as soon as this blows over.

:hugz: Hope you're better soon

[Kalika]

I don't shield at all.
Good to hear you're doing well. :hahugh:

Lucky you. ;) I'd be insane. :p (Oh wait...)

Thanks. :)

[Kalika]

I am hiding. In too much pain and am very angry. So I love you all and see yuo as soon as this blows over.

:hugz:

[Lunacie]

I am hiding. In too much pain and am very angry. So I love you all and see yuo as soon as this blows over.

Sending a hug and energies for this to work out for the very best and to reduce your stress level. :hugz:

[Kalika]

Hey, haven't seen you lately - at least not in this forum - and I'd forgotten that said you were having more trouble with Empathy while being pregnant. Glad to hear that it's better now. That may be in part because when you're pregnant your focus is quite internal so you're more aware of what you're feeling and what you're hearing and smelling and picking up empathically. And when you have a newborn you're very focused on the baby instead, and tend to shut out other distractions without realizing it. :thumbsup:

You could say I've been a little... lost... of late. I'm finding my way again, so hopefully I'll be around a little more in the places like this. ;)

[Aleannah]

:hugz: Hospitals and funerals are very difficult for Empaths. Shield, baby, shield!

Funerals kill me...but hospitals are weird...I seem to be less able to sense things - maybe it's due to all the electrical currency bouncing off the cement walls? Now, emergency rooms are a COMPLETELY different matter.

[TheWomanMonster]

Yeah I experimented only a very slight amount with certain things, but enough to know the effects...
I wonder if maybe that is why I sense them better.
I can even tell what kind of drug it is...
Drunks and people who are Stoned (from marijuana) are a lot more mellow I find. I don't have a problem with them.
It's those nasty chemical types that are the worst for me.
Blegh. Even thinking about it can get me going... heehee.

Glad to be keeping you guys busy...
Hopefully someday I'll be able to answer these questions myself,
but until then I am very thankful to have people like you and a place like this.

Oh and as a side note, I only get that feeling in the ER too! The rest of hospitals are normally okay for me.
My worst experience was in an old mental institute that is now a hospital... Probably just residual energy though.

Be Blessed and Well all of you.
I'm off to search the COT for some shielding exercises...

Monster.

[Lunacie]

Regular hospital rooms aren't too bad for me, but OY the ICU... !

And whenever I was in the hospital in the last 10 years it's been the ICU - or when they moved my mother to a regular room even though she was dying of cancer.

[Pesha]

I was a nurse for over 24 years. Not easy with my level of empathics. Right now I am in my annual shut off mode. I do this to try and give my self a bit of a break. I usually am this way for a month or so. I don't broadcast nor do I receive. Anyhoo hugs everyone.

[Lunacie]

Annual? My hermit (shut off) mode seems to be seasonal, or at least 4 times a year.

[sweetfairy]

as for shielding its hard to switch back and forth on this..
i have called rude, a snot, a b$%#$%#$ and some one who doesnt give a flying fig about people , none which is true
i tend to withdraw in to myself get quiet and tend to view things from a different side.
i disconnect myself persay
this is how i cope at times.. not really good but helps me keep from getting overwhelmed.

[Contra Mundum]

Hello, hope everyone's alright.
The thing with my friend has become way better to handle, thanks Lunacie!
So what's going on here?

[WiccanGoddess]

It was easy for a while to deter the emotions of others, but now I find I have yet again lost control, and it's giving a mind-blowing/numbing headache. All the techniques I had disappeared, I cannot access a one. I need help. Again. Please.

[Pesha]

Hi all just checking in. Please forgive me if I do not post much now days. I am going through some personal issues and medical ones as well. SO I don't log on as often as I used to. Hugs and love toy al of you lovely people.

[Lunacie]

I miss seeing ya DS, hope things get better for you real soon so you can hang out with us again.

[Contra Mundum]

Hope you feel better soon DS. :hugz:

[Lorrie]

:wave: Hi all! well, everyone is all moved in, still alot of adjusting to do, maybe there always will be? My daughter had her baby, she gave the ol' empath mom quite a scare but it turned out to be nothing. So now I am grandma of four, two boys and two girls, all but this newest baby girl live with me. I have moved my online residence from the serenity sanctuary to Kals world, the whole forum membership there went through the whole baby thing along with me, I thought we were gonna have to dynamite that baby out! I have finally been able to get some time online again, so I can catch back up in here again! Hope everyone is doing well, or at least as well as an empath CAN do!And if I didn't get on here to do it, welcome to all of our new family here!

[Kalena]

Hi,can anyone share thoughts/feelings about this situation please.

I work in a complimentary health and beauty salon and today I had a male client in who left me feeling very uneasy. He came in for Hopi Ear Candles (had cancelled appointment the previous week), never had it before so I explain what is was, how it worked and went through exactly what I would do.. etc ...
He was very quiet, very softly spoken and seemed pleasant, however even before he had gone into the treatment room I was uneasy.
As the first candle was buring down the uneasy feeling grew, as did the 'energy pain' in my left arm (the one holding the candle). Then when I swopped ears, using my right hand to hold the candle the pain got worse- and I also got very disturbing kind of flash pictures of .... well there is no other way to descibe it than to say he was acting very violently towards me, they were so vivid I nearly shouted out. I'm sure I was picking up his mental pictures and I was still getting them even after calling mentally for some pretty heavy protection.
Anyway, I finished the treatment but instead of staying in the room to make sure he was OK, I left very quickly. He stayed for about 10 minuets after the treatment talking to our receptionist, who didn't sense anything wrong or get any kind of odd feeling from him.
I really have no wish to treat this man again, but also wouldn't be happy with our other therapist treating him either, so I'm figuring a way to stop him coming in again.

so any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Lorrie]

Wow. That really sounds scary. I worked as a cashier for about a year, I had people come in that I would get very negative vibes from, and it was quite unsettling! One turned out to be a well known neighborhood child molester, and another was on the news last night that had been involved in the murder of someone. I don't know how to keep him away, but always trust your guts, if he does come back, use caution and care. You got those feelings for a reason. Other people may not be able to sense what you can, and maybe it is possible that something about you brought out these things in him- no, not YOU directly, but you may have reminded him of someone else and the emotions were running through his mind. I never knew most people don't feel the things that I do, I used to get so angry at people, like can't you feel that?????? No, they don't. Maybe if it is possible, if he comes back, have two people in the room with him just to be safe. Better safe than sorry always!

[Lunacie]

Brrrrr... creepy.

The first thought off the top of my head is to tell him, "Sorry, we're all out of candles right now." But he'd probably call back later and ask for a different service, eh? I'll give this some thought, and maybe you'll get some other posts with suggestions.

[Kalena]

Unfortunatly I am unable to have someone in the room with me while treating clients, however having disscussed this with the other therapist we have decided that if we are ever usure about a client - male or female - we will leave the door into the reception area slightly open. This will mean our receptionist knows we are uneasy and also give her easy access should we need it. We were going to have voile curtains put over the inside of the doors for decorative purposes but are going to have slightly heavier ones so it won't be obvious to the client that the door is ajar.

And you are right Lunacie, if we said we were out of candles he would re-book or want something else and because we have only been open 4 weeks we can't even claim to be fully booked for several weeks in advance either.

[Lorrie]

I sure hope this will work for all of you, wow, it is still creeping me out just reading about it!

[TheWomanMonster]

when I worked at an adult store I would get 'agressive feelings' from otherwise kind seeming people. It's very scary especially when you're alone, as I often was. I never had anyone do anything physically but I could certainly sense an undercurrent of negative and violent feelings.

*shivers* some people are REALLY scary.

I think it's a really good idea for you to keep the door ajar when with someone who makes you uncomfortable. I never had the ability to tell others or have any 'back-up' in my experiences. You're lucky your coworkers are so understanding. I really hope you don't have to deal with that or anything of the sort again.

Monster.

[Lunacie]

Unfortunatly I am unable to have someone in the room with me while treating clients, however having disscussed this with the other therapist we have decided that if we are ever usure about a client - male or female - we will leave the door into the reception area slightly open. This will mean our receptionist knows we are uneasy and also give her easy access should we need it. We were going to have voile curtains put over the inside of the doors for decorative purposes but are going to have slightly heavier ones so it won't be obvious to the client that the door is ajar.

And you are right Lunacie, if we said we were out of candles he would re-book or want something else and because we have only been open 4 weeks we can't even claim to be fully booked for several weeks in advance either.

That sounds good, at least you have a plan and some backup. Hopefully it won't be needed, but think of it like insurance... you hope you won't have a fire but just in case...

[Selenite]

:wave: I don't know how I missed seeing this thread ages ago, but hello! I've just been skimming some of the posts in this thread (I'll read them all, eventually) and wow... lots of information. I'm an empath, also have ADD. I've only been aware of being empathic for about 2 years now, before then I thought I was just "overly sensitive". It's been interesting, empathy isn't an easy gift to live with but I wouldn't want to lose the ability either. It's like an extra sense, and while I don't like my sense of smell when someone's burnt dinner I wouldn't want to get rid of that sense entirely. :hahugh:

[Contra Mundum]

Hello, welcome to the bunker.
Keep reading, there's lots of useful information.

[Contra Mundum]

How's everyone doing?
Things have been pretty hectic for me, on Friday my neighbour committed suicide in the garage.
I was at home when it happened, the emotions were overwhelming.
I was in complete shock, I feel very sad about his death, he was a good man.
Wednesday is his funeral, and I'm going, it will be hard.

[WiccanGoddess]

My empathy has gotten...worse, to say the least. The other evening, I broke down in tears, and was suddenly scared and confused. I traced my emotions to someone nearby, but usually, as of late, I can 'flip the switch' of my empathy. Now I can't. The fuse has blown.

[Lunacie]

You just started college, eh? I'd say you're on Empathic Overload. That makes it very hard to have any control. There have been lots of good suggestions here in the Empathic forums about dealing with that overload, but what works best for me is to remind myself that what I'm feeling isn't MY energy or MY feelings. I can say something nice to the person who is broadcasting their energies (usually anger or misery) or smile at them, and hopefully lighten their mood a little. But it's not MY burden to carry.

I used to make a little gesture with my hand, kinda flipping it from palm out - sending their energy back to them - and then turning the palm in - reminding myself that I'm only responsible for my own energies. I haven't done that in a while, but probably ought to do it now and then to remind my subconscious.

[WiccanGoddess]

You just started college, eh? I'd say you're on Empathic Overload. That makes it very hard to have any control. There have been lots of good suggestions here in the Empathic forums about dealing with that overload, but what works best for me is to remind myself that what I'm feeling isn't MY energy or MY feelings. I can say something nice to the person who is broadcasting their energies (usually anger or misery) or smile at them, and hopefully lighten their mood a little. But it's not MY burden to carry.


Just started? Not really. 2 months in, now. Either way, things are finally looking up. Grades are going good, friendships are well, relationships are forming...I try to remind myself they're not my feelings...*shrug*


I used to make a little gesture with my hand, kinda flipping it from palm out - sending their energy back to them - and then turning the palm in - reminding myself that I'm only responsible for my own energies. I haven't done that in a while, but probably ought to do it now and then to remind my subconscious.

Perhaps I should try something to that extent.

[Selenite]

but what works best for me is to remind myself that what I'm feeling isn't MY energy or MY feelings. I can say something nice to the person who is broadcasting their energies (usually anger or misery) or smile at them, and hopefully lighten their mood a little.

My mentor gave me nearly the same advice back when I was first learning to control my empathy and it's been the best advice to date that I've found. I make sure to keep an "inventory" of my emotions during the day and if I notice that I'm feeling extreme, or that my mood's shifted suddenly I'll take a break and self-analyze. I go through everything that's going on that day, in my life, whatever and see if there's a concrete reason I'm feeling a certain way. If there's nothing at all that would make me feel really depressed then I meditate and center myself, reminding myself that the depression is someone else's. It doesn't belong to me, and I can let it go without letting it get to me anymore.

Make sure also, WiccanGoddess, that you're not listening to the wrong type of music depending on your moods. I've learned that if you're sad, absolutely don't listen to Apocalyptica :lol: it's some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard but all those minor keys have me buried under the covers sobbing if I'm in an iffy mood to begin with. Just try to keep an eye on your moods and let the music you listen help overcome any negative moods--maybe something punk and upbeat, or something from a musical, or pop music, or love songs, whatever works for you.

Hope things work out for you and you can achieve the level of control you once had, good luck!

[~NightFire~]

Hey everyone!
I haven't been in here for ages because I haven't had Internet access for about a month-so here I am again, and I hope everyone is doing well! :wave:

[Aleannah]

Hey everybody! Just popping in to say hello and give everybody a :hugz:

[Lunacie]

Hi Alex, glad to see you're back with us !

Hey Aleannah, how did you know I needed a :hugz:? Thanks.

[TheWomanMonster]

someone needs a hug?

**HUUUG**

[Lunacie]

Yes, thank you too. I've had some bad exposures in the last week - to perfumes and other stinky stuff rather than to emotions - and that sure does effect MY emotions. Ack.

[TheWomanMonster]

I can relate, I was noticing that this week at work myself. Weird.

[Lunacie]

Yeah, I caught the first exposure at work (I've been trying to find other things to use instead of 409) and the second was in the grocery store - looking for feminine pads which are located right across the aise from the scented candles and a woman in the same aisle was wearing some perfume that was waaay too strong for me) and then my daughter left a scented candle sitting on the kitchen counter last night and I didn't realize it was affecting me until I went outside to watch for the Pre-K bus and came back into the house again.

I'm trying to find something that cleanses my system without putting me to sleep like antihistamines and decongestants do. I had to ask the pharmacy to special order some Alka Seltzer Gold for me - they had all the other Alka Seltzer formulas on the shelf except for the Gold. I've heard that Bach's Rescue Flower Remedies are good too - but can't buy them anywhere in this little town either. And when I'm feeling this punk I don't want to drive into the city to the health food store, driving is not a good idea when I feel like this, eh?

ETA: the candle on the kitchen counter wasn't even lit. Ack.

[TheWomanMonster]

Ugh you poor thing.

For me it was a synthetic flowery perfume, and of all things a patchouli fragrance. The synthetic one I understand, but the patchouli? I used to love the stuff.

It's really hard to avoid stuff like that. I noticed my fragrance sensitivity has been setting in lately, it really comes and goes.
The worst thing for me is cooking red meat or an empty pan on a burner, I get dizzy and sick, sometimes I actually pass out. Ick.

And no driving is definatly not an option. I know.

[Aleannah]

Wow...it must be miserable to be so affected by different scents. I only have a few that really bother me...overpowering perfumes applied heavily, so I can't really go through the perfume section of department stores without a headache, I can handle patchouli in very small doses, and the smell of tar (like when they're paving the street or doing roof work) - all of those give me headaches, but as a general rule, that's about it. Except rancid food makes me physically ill (so hubby gets to clean out the science projects from the fridge). I hope you both get to feeling better soon.

P.S. Lunacie, what is Alka Seltzer Gold?

[Lunacie]

TWM: mmmm, don't think I've smelled the synthetic patchouli. We used a stick of the real thing at our Mabon celebration. Of course we were outdoors in the grove or I wouldn't have actually lit it. ;)

Red meat, eh? I went through a period when cooking bacon would really set my sensitivities off. Are you using teflon coated pans? I think I was. Now I only use the cast iron griddle or cook it in the oven.


Aleannah: for years I didn't realize how much those smells were affecting me. I put it down to a family history of migraines and to PMS and stuff like that. Then I talked to an online friend who has very severe Chemical Injury Illness and realized that a lot of the reactions she was talking about were things I had attributed to my "weirdness". Stuff like vision problems, emotional reactions, weakness out of nowhere, insta-rages, anxiety attacks...

It really came home to me when Alco opened a new store in Wichita - I hadn't shopped at Alco for several years - I used the bathroom and the air-freshener in there about knocked me on my butt. I staggered out to my van and just sat there crying for at least 15 minutes before I was able to drive home. And then I remembered that when I lived in the teeny-tiny-town, the Alco store in South Hutch was often the last place I would stop on my way home after I'd been having a fine time getting out and going shopping or visiting friends. And I always had to use the potty while I was in the store. And after my lovely day in town I would walk in the back door of my house in the teeny-tiny-town and blow a major gasket over absolutely nothing, slamming doors and yelling and crying and just going nutso. And it had absolutely nothing to do with psychological stuff like not wanting to BE at home again. And I wasn't picking up any emotional energies from anyone there at home either.

But that last trip to the Alco store here was a real "light bulb" moment for me, once I was able to breath and stop crying and shaking. It finally made sense to me that I was getting "gassed" at the Alco and by the time I finished driving home - about 15 minutes - the gasses had really started to affect me. So now I don't go to Alco anymore. I might take the chance if I'm on that side of town but I sure won't be using their restrooms.

My friend with CII has been sharing things she and her CII daughter have tried over the years, and she said Alka Seltzer Gold had been somewhat helpful. Of course both of them are much sicker with it than I am. So I went on a search to find the ingredients in each kind of Alka Seltzer - 'cause I know that even though there are about 7 different "versions" of Excedrin, they all have exactly the same ingredients. Well, Alka Seltzer really does have different stuff in their different formulas. If it can neutralize stuff in a person's stomach, maybe it can help neutralize it when I get a snoot-full of something that I'm sensitive to, eh? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Aleannah]

hmmm...very interesting - something else for me to research. Thank you for the info :hugz:

[Lunacie]

You're very welcome. I hope it never happens to you or to anyone you love.

[TheWomanMonster]

We don't use teflon because we live in a small apartment and keep birds. :)

It seems like my problems with scents is really increasing lately.
Strange how some things do it and others don't isn't it.

Bacon does it to me too! But I love to eat it so much I just make my sweetie cook it with the fans on and the door open. Heehee.

Good luck with the alkaseltzer experiment. :)

ETA: I never knew it had a name... chemical injury illness.
Pretty much explains a whole lot of weirdness for me. :)

[Lunacie]

Maybe we should start a whole new thread or forum for this? Might be others like us?

[TheWomanMonster]

That's not a bad idea! :)

[Lunacie]

That's not a bad idea! :)

It sounds good to me, but here in Healing and Reiki or over in Health and Beauty?

[TheWomanMonster]

Uh oh, that's a tough one.
*boggles*

[Lunacie]

Yeah - if it was easy I'd already have started the new topic. :lol:

I guess there's no huge rush... when I get more time I'll browse through each section and see if one looks better than the other. You wanna do the same thing and compare notes?

[Aleannah]

jmo, but I think it would get more views over in Health and Beauty, but the healing and treatment side could do well here....

me = Libra = complete inability to help with a decision such as this :lol:

[TheWomanMonster]

Yeah - if it was easy I'd already have started the new topic. :lol:

I guess there's no huge rush... when I get more time I'll browse through each section and see if one looks better than the other. You wanna do the same thing and compare notes?

Yeah I'll see what feeling I get for it's placement.
Awesome idea though, I'm sure it affects a lot of people.

[TheWomanMonster]

Ugh,
Hey guys.
My head hurts.

Hope everyone else is well though.

[~NightFire~]

I'm sorry to hear that TheWomanMonster, I hope it gets better. X _pounce_
I'm really sensitive to smells (along with everything else!) aswell.
Where I work (in a shop) there are always women walking through wearing really strong perfume, and it's horrible!
Sometimes it's nice to be able to smell things really strongly-depends what it is. This will sound wierd, but sometimes I can smell someones...scent? It's not perfume-just them! this is especially with people I find attractive! :lol:

[Lunacie]

Hey Alex, there's not much you can do about the people around you wearing scents. I worked for a short time at the Post Office Remote Encoding Center and their policy was great about not wearing perfume and smoking in an area away from the entrance.

For the last couple of years I've been working in a beauty salon as the janitor. The boss wanted me to use Formula 409 on the stations (cupboards, chairs, sinks) and window cleaner on the mirrors. Both of them aggravate my fibro-myalgia and migraines and irritate my sinuses. I've been looking for other things to use, with the boss's blessing. I use vinegar/water to clean the mirrors and glass shelving and bought a Scunci Steamer to clean the sticky hair spray residue off the stations. Which leaves me with the floor cleaner and since it's not something I spray and breath in but mix with water - it doesn't bother me so much.

Yep, definately need to get a thread or forum going for this topic.

[TheWomanMonster]

UGH, I can't stand being around people all day...
unfortunatly my hubby is a real people person.
I just want dinner, and a bath and a good book...
He just wants to play video games with his friends.

I just wish I didn't feel so crumby when other people were here.



(and yes, we do need to settle on a place for that thread! :))

[Selenite]

I know just how you feel, my boyfriend is such a social person... he just about goes insane if he's stuck somewhere all alone with no one to talk to. I can handle large amounts of people for a little while and then I need to go be a hermit for a while, usually depends on the people. It's an interesting balancing act...

[~NightFire~]

It depends on who's around me aswell, and how I'm feeling, what we're doing, and where we are.
It also depends on what mood the other person/people are in-There's nothing worse than being around someone who's angry/upset-but then some days I don't want to be around anyone at all! _inabox_

[Lunacie]

I know just how you feel, my boyfriend is such a social person... he just about goes insane if he's stuck somewhere all alone with no one to talk to. I can handle large amounts of people for a little while and then I need to go be a hermit for a while, usually depends on the people. It's an interesting balancing act...

Yep, I'm a little like a yoyo myself, bouncing back and forth between being sociable and being a hermit. I like being sociable when I'm not trying to work or concentrate - but having people and noise around makes it very hard for me to focus and get anything done. Which could be as much because I have AD/HD as because I'm an Empath, eh?

[pluralone]

I wonder if ADHD (or at least the ADD part of the equation) is more commonly a misdiagnosis of, and refusal of the medical community to acknowledge, empathic abilities.

Think of all the spiritually gifted people whose gifts don't match their belief systems - so they seek help, thinking of their spiritual gifts as 'mental health issues'.

For myself, for most of my life I'd been told my spiritual gifts were either caused by demons (according to the church) or were 'symptoms' of mental illness (according to the medical community). It took finding a very loving and understanding community for me to open up to these gifts enough to learn their value -- and reality.

Just thinking out loud....

[Lunacie]

I don't know how common that is, but I do believe the two conditions sometimes overlap. Just as it can be difficult for the medical folks to differentiate between AD/HD and BiPolar and Depression... they generally treat the depression first to see if that's causing the other problems, I think it would be as confusing to decide whether the Empathy is causing the AD/HD and/or the Depression, or whether the symptoms may be similar enough in some people that Empathy would seem to be AD/HD.

[TheWomanMonster]

I don't know how common that is, but I do believe the two conditions sometimes overlap. Just as it can be difficult for the medical folks to differentiate between AD/HD and BiPolar and Depression... they generally treat the depression first to see if that's causing the other problems, I think it would be as confusing to decide whether the Empathy is causing the AD/HD and/or the Depression, or whether the symptoms may be similar enough in some people that Empathy would seem to be AD/HD.

I don't know if I'm one or the other, or all of the above...

Yeah, Doctors have a real hard time with me in the first place. It seems like everytime I go in for anything they end up telling me they can't figure out what's wrong. *shrugs*

I can see a lot of similarities between symptoms and sensitivity.

[Aleannah]

I have only been treated for depression...and that was for a short period of time. I still suffer from it, but I also exhibit symptoms of other mental illnesses, such as ocd tendencies, paranoia, and bi-polar. However, none of these really affect my quality of life, except to make me a little unpredictable. I have seriously considered going to see a mental health professional about these to get a professional opinion, but then I stop and think about the views the mental health world has towards paganism and such, and I realize that my religion and way of life is considered "different" anyway, so that might cause them to be a little more judgmental than normal. Plus, I don't want to be on medications that would inhibit my abilities, because without them, I wouldn't feel like "me". I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone, and if I'm rambling, I apologize...:lol:

[Lunacie]

I have only been treated for depression...and that was for a short period of time. I still suffer from it, but I also exhibit symptoms of other mental illnesses, such as ocd tendencies, paranoia, and bi-polar. However, none of these really affect my quality of life, except to make me a little unpredictable. I have seriously considered going to see a mental health professional about these to get a professional opinion, but then I stop and think about the views the mental health world has towards paganism and such, and I realize that my religion and way of life is considered "different" anyway, so that might cause them to be a little more judgmental than normal. Plus, I don't want to be on medications that would inhibit my abilities, because without them, I wouldn't feel like "me". I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone, and if I'm rambling, I apologize...:lol:

Sure that makes sense, and no one can "ramble" better than someone with AD/HD so maybe you do have it. ;) Some people have learned ways of coping and strategies and patterns that keep their lives from being difficult even though they have some of these disorders, and they may do just fine their whole lives. But sometimes getting sick (like having pneumonia or something) can throw the person off track and make the problems worse so that they affect the quality of life. But I figure "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I have a friend who lucked into finding a psychiatrist that is very accepting of her Pagan views even though he's a Christian. But I can understand the concern over being judged that way, and over having meds change us in ways that we don't really want. I'm taking Omega supplements and a couple other supplements, and when I ran out it only took a couple of days to decide I was much happier and less stressed when I was taking them. But there aren't so many icky side effects with supplements, eh?

[Rina]

Oh I'm glad this place exists.
Trouble with me and my empathic abilites is that I often respond before I recognise what's going on. I can end up acting on someone else's feelings, even if they run counter to my own. And I'm always worst at spotting this when I'm low on resources, or already quite emotionally wound.

For the first time in years I got turned through 180 degrees by someone else's stray emotions and now I have to go and mop up after my reactions. I'm no good at hiding myself away. That's not how I work, but being a very exposed empath, especially in my current emotional situation has left me very vulnerable.
I'm glad I worked out what was going on as soon as I did... I just wish I hadn't responded in quite the way iIdid. Oh well, here's hoping the other party involved is as understanding as I think they'll be.

[Kailen]

Hi,

Totally unsure of what to say, I've never really been good at going to people for help or support for things, or just talking about things ~is reclusive a lot~. Though I'm feeling I should sign in here. I've managed to develop quite a good handle on my empathy. I can now filter out most of the bad emotions I pick up, so that although I sense them I don't feel them as my own. But I at times that doesn't work, and I still remember how hard it was when I didn't know why I was feeling everything. A lot of the time now, I keep my empathy shut off, so it's almost like an on/off switch now. Though, the switch doesn't always work. I have to be near perfectly centred and grounded for that, the last few days I've felt bombarded again. Anyways, for not really being sure what I was going to say other than "hi" I've done a lot of talking. Hope I can provide a good contribution here. I look forward to sharing with you all.

[Lunacie]

Oh I'm glad this place exists.
Trouble with me and my empathic abilites is that I often respond before I recognise what's going on. I can end up acting on someone else's feelings, even if they run counter to my own. And I'm always worst at spotting this when I'm low on resources, or already quite emotionally wound.

For the first time in years I got turned through 180 degrees by someone else's stray emotions and now I have to go and mop up after my reactions. I'm no good at hiding myself away. That's not how I work, but being a very exposed empath, especially in my current emotional situation has left me very vulnerable.
I'm glad I worked out what was going on as soon as I did... I just wish I hadn't responded in quite the way iIdid. Oh well, here's hoping the other party involved is as understanding as I think they'll be.

Hello Rina, welcome to the Bunker. I was Empathic from an early age and had a very hard time learning to differentiate my own feelings and reactions from what I was picking up from others. I didn't have the internet or anyone to guide me through that and I ended up creating a very strong shield that didn't let ANY emotions through (negative or positive) for a couple of years, until I could learn to recognize my own emotions so I'd know when I was feeling something whether it was my own reaction or someone else's. It was a difficult time for me, going from one extreme to the other (wide open to completely closed off). I hope you'll be able to figure out how to tell the difference without going to extremes like that. And I hope your friend is understanding about your reaction to that situation.

[Lunacie]

Hi,

Totally unsure of what to say, I've never really been good at going to people for help or support for things, or just talking about things ~is reclusive a lot~. Though I'm feeling I should sign in here. I've managed to develop quite a good handle on my empathy. I can now filter out most of the bad emotions I pick up, so that although I sense them I don't feel them as my own. But I at times that doesn't work, and I still remember how hard it was when I didn't know why I was feeling everything. A lot of the time now, I keep my empathy shut off, so it's almost like an on/off switch now. Though, the switch doesn't always work. I have to be near perfectly centred and grounded for that, the last few days I've felt bombarded again. Anyways, for not really being sure what I was going to say other than "hi" I've done a lot of talking. Hope I can provide a good contribution here. I look forward to sharing with you all.

Hi Kailen, welcome to the Bunker. I wasn't able to switch my Empathy on and off like that, but it's still a question of one extreme or the other, eh? Better, I think, to learn to be in touch with our own feelings so that we can recognize when we get a feeling that doesn't belong to us. We can still smile at the person who is "broadcasting" that other energy, or do something nice to connect with them in some way, without actually taking on their feelings and their energies ourselves.

[Kalika]

:wave:

[Pesha]

I am alive but not in good places. Just letting you al know I am alive. Hugs and love to all.

[Lunacie]

I am alive but not in good places. Just letting you al know I am alive. Hugs and love to all.

Sorry to hear life still isn't treating you as well as you deserve. Hugs back-atcha!

[Lorrie]

Wow, I guess it's been a while! I don't know who all has heard, we lost my DIL( also a member of MW) three weeks ago today. I went to wake her up for work and found her dead. What a rollercoaster it has been! Sad thing is several of us had the feeling that something was really wrong this time, but every day she would play this "I'm ignoring you so I don't have to get out of bed and deal with my kids" game, so when she slept all day, it was nothing new. I finally called my son at work and asked him if she had to work that day, he said she was tired when he went to work and was supposed to see if I could run her to work, she had to be there at 4:00, this was just after 3:00, I told him she was gonna be late( she had been told if she was late one more time she would be fired) he told me to shake her real hard to wake her up. I did. I called him back and said get home, NOW!!! There has been no cause of death determined as of yet. Things are just beginning to calm down a little, now the benefits start, I just don't want to go through any more. I won't go into the whole thing, but things were pretty rough before she died. We were all at odds with each other over her leaving me to do all the housework, cooking, and watching kids 24/7. The energies here were really bad, my normally very low blood pressure was extremely high and I was so dizzy I could barely stand up! I had a disagreement on MW, and had decided to cut my ties here, but keep getting drawn back for one thing or another, so I just come on and rarely post now, sticking mostly to PM's instead now. I will come in still and keep up with everyone here though as long as I don't run into any problems here too! :yikess: Hello to our new readers in the bunker! It seems like every time I do amke it in here there are a few more new ones, lovin it!:wave:

[Johnathan Brisby]

Wow, I guess it's been a while! I don't know who all has heard, we lost my DIL( also a member of MW) three weeks ago today.

I'm sorry

[Aleannah]

Pesha, I'm sorry you're still in a dark place...I send you strength, love and energy for light to shine back into your life and give you happiness and health. :hugz:

Lorrie, I am so sorry about your recent loss and difficulties. I send you strength, love and peace. May your days become easier with time. :hugz:

To everyone else, :hugz:

[Rina]

And I hope your friend is understanding about your reaction to that situation.

Thanks for the welcome Lunacie. Fortunatly for all concerned, the other friend involved in all my madness is a little older and wiser than I, and having been told about my mad reactions, fed me, hugged me and generally showed me a great time. Totally understood and made my job a whole lot easier. :cheers:

Lorrie: I am really sorry to hear your news, although it does seem to have a potential good side.

[Sobeq]

I've been having the weirdest experience. I just started college -- well, a month ago, anyways. So I'm stressed out a bit by that. Now I'm getting all this emotional feedback from who knows where, it's stronger than ever, and my head is spinning. To top it off, I'm getting particularly tuned in to one of my friends. This has never happened to me before! It's like whenever I'm near her, she rubs off on me, and I rub off on her. I've only known the girl for as long as I've been in school, but we're close as can be.

I really need to find a spare moment and do my grounding and shielding excercises. I feel like I've got fingerprints all over me. Ugh.

[Lunacie]

Hello crazedstarlite, welcome to the Bunker. I don't know if I could handle a large college class, much less several of them each day, making that a whole bunch every week. Hugs to those of you are faced with that. Thankfully, not every one of those people you're sitting in class with are Broadcasting their emotions and feelings **shudders at the thought**

How cool that you've found a friend that you connect with. Would she be interested in learning more about this and practicing some energy work with you? Playing "shoot 'm up" games with energy can be a good way to develop your shields.

[Sobeq]

Lucky for me, all my classes are smallish.

I'm not sure if she'd be interested, but I could definitely ask her... I don't know how she feels about stuff like that. She's kind of a skeptic.

[Lunacie]

I couldn't afford to go to college, but if I'd been able to go I certainly would have started out in a small community college. Some of those big colleges have over a hundred students sitting in a lecture hall... fidgitting and whispering and doing a bunch of stuff that would have distracted me horribly. I have AD/HD as well as being Empathic and lectures are not a great learning environment for me in the first place. Heck, just walking across a campus would be hard, I rarely go to the mall and even the grocery store can be hard some days.

[Sobeq]

I can't even imagine if I had ADHD. I hadn't noticed why I was so emotionally out of whack until I really thought about it -- it took me picking up on my friend so strongly for me to even consider empathy the cause. I've known for a little while that I'm empathic enough to get messed up by it, but I've never gotten such a strong link to someone. It seems like it's getting easier to figure out, too -- which I guess comes with putting a name to the sensation.

I'm usually wrapped up in my own little world while I walk across campus, so if I'm picking anything up there, I wouldn't be able to tell you ^_^. But then again, I'm not VERY empathic.

[Rina]

I've known for a little while that I'm empathic enough to get messed up by it, but I've never gotten such a strong link to someone. It seems like it's getting easier to figure out, too -- which I guess comes with putting a name to the sensation.



I've found this myself, the fact that i can put a name on something gives me an element of control over it. When I know I'm picking up on someone else, I can control it better and learn to filter it out or respond as required. Conscious awareness is always a good thing.

[Pesha]

Just checking in. The move to be back with my kids went well. I am just all anxious because I have to get used to being back with the family and not alone anymore. Goning to take time. Health issues still there some getting worse. Asi es la vida.

[Aleannah]

Glad to hear from you, Pesha. I hope the adjustment goes smoothly for you, and I send you lots of these :hugz:

[Lunacie]

Just checking in. The move to be back with my kids went well. I am just all anxious because I have to get used to being back with the family and not alone anymore. Goning to take time. Health issues still there some getting worse. Asi es la vida.

Yeah, it's a real adjustment. I lived alone for awhile and terribly lonely, then moved in with my daughter and her family. Not always easy living in someone else's house, but it was great to be with people I loved again. Now my daughter and I co-own this home and we're fortunate that we actually like each other as well as loving each other. Not all parents and adult children like each other well enough to live together.

May the Blessings far outweigh the conflicts in your new living arrangement, my friend ! :hugz:

[Pesha]

I am lucky as well in that I get along so well with my DIL and my son. WE are helping each other in this move. But I do miss some of the privacy I had. And I am still in Utah.........dang it.

[TheWomanMonster]

Hey everyone.
Been having on emotional week.
Amazing though somehow I'm still here, holding on.

Broke it off with my fiance (100% my decision),
currently looking for my own place.
We're still good friends and going to make an effort to keep it that way.

But at night, it's like I just feel his overwhelming depression or something... ugh. Any other time is all good, it's just at night.

Otherwise I'm coping. I feel happier over all, my depression is just gone.


Pesha, I hope everything goes smoothly for you, good luck. *hugs*

Love you all. *hugs*

[Lunacie]

Hey everyone.
Been having on emotional week.
Amazing though somehow I'm still here, holding on.

Broke it off with my fiance (100% my decision),
currently looking for my own place.
We're still good friends and going to make an effort to keep it that way.

But at night, it's like I just feel his overwhelming depression or something... ugh. Any other time is all good, it's just at night.

Otherwise I'm coping. I feel happier over all, my depression is just gone.


Pesha, I hope everything goes smoothly for you, good luck. *hugs*

Love you all. *hugs*

Ya know, I had been coping with so much depression over the years that when I went into a complete funk after I kicked my ex out that I just figured it all just me. That's an eye-opener to realize that I was probably picking up his energies as well. (going to take some time to process that idea)

Anyway I'm glad you're satisfied with your decision (decisions are hard for me) and I wish you the very best in moving on with your life and finding a new apartment. :hugz:



eta: Meet your new Forum Guide for the Empathic Bunker... ME ! :woot:
If you have any suggestions or questions please feel free to send me a PM.

[Contra Mundum]

Hey congrats on being the new forum guide.
I won't be around much, I'm depressed, not doing well at all.

[Lunacie]

Hey congrats on being the new forum guide.
I won't be around much, I'm depressed, not doing well at all.

Awwww, sorry to hear that. Something like S.A.D. or something more specific? I'm here if you want to talk via PM. :hugz: Talking is better than tipping the bottle again.

[Contra Mundum]

Awwww, sorry to hear that. Something like S.A.D. or something more specific? I'm here if you want to talk via PM. :hugz: Talking is better than tipping the bottle again.

No not S.A.D., I just feel stuck in the life that I'm living.
I feel so overwhelmed and I don't know what to do with it.
So many emotions, I don't know how to deal with them.
I can't stop crying, I feel that there's no way out.
And sometimes I don't want to live anymore, because I can't take the pressure.
I'm standing infront of a huge turning point in my life, and I have to make loads of important decisions, and I don't know if I can, I'm so afraid of them.
But something has to change or I will lose myself completely.
I'm not a big talker, so of course the first thing I use is the bottle, my friend is helping me get through this, but I know I have to do it by myself.
My empathy isn't making things easier for me, I'm having a hard time with it.
Guess I'll just have to get through it.
Thanks for your support. :bigredblu

[Lunacie]

I was afraid you'd look for the bottom of the bottle again. I tend to look for the bottom of the bowl myself, I overeat when I'm stressed out. But neither of those are healthy coping mechanisms, eh? If I can share something I've learned with you... don't look at the "big picture" just now. Pick out one decision and just make that one decision. Not so overwhelming when you only have to make one. Then once that decision is made it makes the pile of decisions seem a little smaller, eh? Hugs and soothing supporting energies/emotions sent your way.

[Contra Mundum]

No they are definitely not, they only make things worse.
But I use what I have.
I'm going to take your advice, I do want the pile to become smaller.
I hate being this overwhelmed, I can't cope with it at all.
Thank you sweets, you are very helpful.

[TheWomanMonster]

Hey everyone,
Well I've put things into motion. But there's no telling when I'll get a new apartment or anything. It would be so nice to have the freedom of my own place... A little physical distance from the source of the emotional distress.

Contra Mundum, I hope you feel more in control of your life soon. I've been in a similar place myself. *hugs* I like Lunacie's idea too, it's kind of how I've been dealing with things around here lately.

Staying friends with the ex-fiance... it's damned difficult. He's a very controling + manipulating person I realize in retrospect
(hindsight is always 20/20 eh?).
He wants to know where I am, who I'm with, when I'll be home?
I mean, I know he's still in love with me... but he's holding on so tight.

At night it has improved a little, but I've been keeping busy so I can just crash in bed when I get home from work. I've been doing a lot more energy work and shielding lately so I feel much less vulnerable.
I still feel his emotions weighing on me though, from time to time...
I don't feel anything, I haven't even cried, I appreciated what we had when we had it, and now I'm moving on. The most I feel lately is this great sense of anticipation.

Thanks for listening...

[SammieAnn]

Hello everyone. Well, its been one heck of a couple of weeks. I have been dealing with my friend being in the hospitalfrom her being ran over. I have been sick off and on for three weeks with some virus thats going around in florida that really seems to knock you on your bum. I have been so weak from being sick that my shields have pretty much come crashing down and everyones emotions have been playing havoc with my mind. When I do finally get over this virus I think I am going to take a mental health day and try to recharge. I hope all is well for everyone......

[Diotima]

Ummm...hi, everyone! I was pointed here from another forums. This is the post I made there.

This is a rather long story cut to post length, so please bear with me.

Years ago, I discovered that sometimes (VERY rarely) I have an ability to get visions of some people. These visions are mostly symbolic, but the few I've had have been helpful and given me important insight about people in question. Because this talent of mine manifests itself so rarely (not to mention because I'm so chicken), I haven't studied it at all, and have only once managed to intentionally produce such a vision about someone.

Anyway, soon after discovering this talent I made a decision that if I was ever to marry someone, that person should be one I am able to "touch" this way, and I would like to touch him before giving my marriage vows.
Some time after I and my fiancé met (and at this point I have to say that at that time I was FAR less concerned about ethics than I am today- I still believe that what I did was very wrong), our relationship was developing very quickly to serious level. I was very curious about my spouse, and because I had had visions about other people quite recently, I was also curious about my talent and wondered whether I could use it intentionally to get knowledge about someone.
So I was very, very stupid and used my then boyfriend as a test subject without asking his consent. I managed to intentionally get a vision of my him. Though I was successful, but the whole thing left me feeling very bad though I don't think he understood what I had done. He did say afterwards that my "eyes changed" when I had read him and that scared him- after that incident I have always been careful not to stare at him too intensely because it makes him feel uncomfortable.

In fact, after that event I have pretty much buried my talent- for five years now, as small as it is. But, now that our wedding is near, I remembered once again my old desire to be able to read my DH. I realized that being able to do that would still mean a lot to me, no matter what I actually saw. And I know that he is one of those extremely rare people with whom I am able to connect that way. But I don't know how to approach the topic any more with him.
I suppose it has something to do with my old very misplaced curiosity, but also with the fact that I don't really know anything about my ability and don't understand it. In this situation, I don't think that he would be happy to hear about this wish. Knowing him, he might freak out and say something that would hurt me deeply- this is an extremely private and sensitive issue for me, and hurting me would be so easy to do. It goes without saying that I'm not going to do anything that resembles an attempt to read him without asking first. And finally, the idea of not ever being able to touch my DH in such a beautiful, powerful way makes me incredibly sad.

So yeah, I'd greatly appreciate any advice and insight.

I don't have any idea of whether I'm an empath or what. I know I am highly sensitive and very introvert. Being among people usually makes me tired, and in other ways too, I have to be careful about how I feed my brain in order to avoid sensory overload. I've just arrived to the time in my life where I feel I should start discovering these stranger areas of myself.
I read some of the posts on this forum and kept nodding quite often- I hope it means I've come to the right place. :)

[Lunacie]

Hello everyone. Well, its been one heck of a couple of weeks. I have been dealing with my friend being in the hospitalfrom her being ran over. I have been sick off and on for three weeks with some virus thats going around in florida that really seems to knock you on your bum. I have been so weak from being sick that my shields have pretty much come crashing down and everyones emotions have been playing havoc with my mind. When I do finally get over this virus I think I am going to take a mental health day and try to recharge. I hope all is well for everyone......

Hey osean, I hope your friend is doing better? That crud sounds like the same thing I had about 3 years ago. I didn't have the oomph to get out of bed for three weeks. Scared my poor daughter something fierce. You know I'm sick when I don't eat and I didn't eat for nearly the whole time. Heck of a way to loose weight.

I have a friend who simply cannot manage to put up a personal shield for herself, so she relies on her matron goddess to shield her. Seems like a good plan and I think it works pretty well for her. It's just hard for us to let anyone else do something for us that we think we can do for ourselves, eh? I hope you're feeling better soon and can come visit here again. :hugz:

[Lunacie]

Ummm...hi, everyone! I was pointed here from another forums. This is the post I made there.



I don't have any idea of whether I'm an empath or what. I know I am highly sensitive and very introvert. Being among people usually makes me tired, and in other ways too, I have to be careful about how I feed my brain in order to avoid sensory overload. I've just arrived to the time in my life where I feel I should start discovering these stranger areas of myself.
I read some of the posts on this forum and kept nodding quite often- I hope it means I've come to the right place. :)

Hello Diotima, welcome to the Bunker. :wave:

I'm not sure from reading your message whether you're experiencing empathy or not, because you don't say whether you were getting emotions from your fiance or seeing a vision of something from his past (or future). I connected with my ex a couple of times that way (with his permission and knowledge) but it took an effort on my part (I was able to see people and scenes from his past), but that was certainly different from being flooded with feelings and emotions on a daily basis without making any effort at all. If that makes sense to you?

[Pesha]

Just checking in. Sheilding tight so as not to bled on anyone. I am fighting out of a dark paper bag right now. But sned love and hugs to everyone.

Welcome Diotima. This is a good place to learn and grow. At first glance, I would say you have empathic tendencies. And you may be able to "see" as well. Nice combination.

[Lunacie]

Just checking in. Sheilding tight so as not to bled on anyone. I am fighting out of a dark paper bag right now. But sned love and hugs to everyone.

Welcome Diotima. This is a good place to learn and grow. At first glance, I would say you have empathic tendencies. And you may be able to "see" as well. Nice combination.

Hey sweetie, good to hear from you. But I'm sorry to hear you're still struggling. Just had a thought - do you have the filters set on your shield to allow loving positive energies to go in and out, but to block the negative unloving energies?

[Diotima]

Thanks for warm welcome, both!

Lunacie, none of my visions have been about emotions, past or future. They are difficult to describe (and to interpret), but I think that my vision is about the "essence" of a person -a glimpse of his or her soul, if there is such a thing.
For example, in my spouse's case, I saw a dark sea under cloudy sky, and I had a very intense feeling that under the calm, dark surface of the sea there were big creatures -perhaps monsters, perhaps just something big and alien. It wasn't scary, but it certainly wasn't cute and romantic that I had expected. A few weeks later, my spouse told me that he has an anxiety disorder, for which he needed medication. I am absolutely sure that that's what I saw- when he told me, I could almost hear things clicking into place in my brain. This vision came to me like a flash -like looking a view from a window for a very short moment. Yet, the picture was so clear, that I can still recall it in detail, just like all the other visions I've had.
I am almost positive that in order for a vision to occur to me, I need eye contact, though a very brief one is sufficient. I'm also pretty certain that the one time I managed to initiate a contact, it helped that my spouse wasn't in a calm state of mind (guess how I know _inabox_ )- for a moment, I felt that I was trying to get through a narrow opening in a dark wall that shut me outside a couple of times before I got through. The vision was behind that wall. "Instant visions" have been different. They have just happened- a vision just leaps to me. They are very powerful experiences, yet somehow I like them better- to me they feel more like exchanges than just one-way. I haven't ever talked about it with any of the persons who have prompted such a vision so I can't be sure though. In the case of a person I had known before, later we felt rather uncomfortable around each other and became more distant acquintances. But I think (even hope), that I have given something back to the person who has prompted an instant vision. However, I've had only two instant visions...not too much material for making conclusions.

I've been busy reading about empathy, though. Sometimes I get "vibes", but mostly from places and things, not people. However, (and oh so conveniently), I had this week a strange experience and after learning here I think there is a possibility that I might shield myself unconsciously. Or then my imagination is just good and I'm excited...
This week, I had to visit a lab animal scientist at her office. We had an interesting meeting that lasted for a couple of hours. During the meeting I felt vaguely uncomfortable, but couldn't understand why- our meeting was very productive. When she escorted me outside, she pointed to a nearby hallway and mentioned that "this is such a great place to work at since the animals are so close by, right there". I then went to the bus home, and there it hit me. An unbelievable exhaustion, accompanied with a horrible headache and nauseousness. When I got home, I was in such a bad shape, that I had to take the next day off and spend it doing relaxation exercises. I didn't understand what was wrong with me- I didn't feel exactly ill, just like I had had a terribly long, hard day without any food. Except, that the day hadn't been that hard and I had eaten just fine. Now that I've read about empathy and shields, it came to my mind that my experience might be explained, if I had my shields at max, draining all my energy and then some, but some of the animals suffering still leaked through. This would also explain, why I don't ever seem to get much out of people, but I always become tired -sometimes exhausted, when I am around people. Could I have an "automatic shield"?
Of course, I hope that this isn't the explanation, because I must visit that facility twice more in near future and if this is anywhere close to the truth, they are not going to be pleasant experiences.

[Lunacie]

Yep, you probably do have an automatic shield. Lots of us do. However, they aren't the most effective kind of shield. They are often shaped like a shield which means we're protected from what we're seeing, but not from what we don't see. A good shield follows our auric body or may be shaped like an egg so that we're covered from all directions. And yep again, the maintenance of a shield can be a drain. Being aware of the shield and setting the filters for specific protections is better, and learning to tap into the Universal Divine Energies is like having an Energizer Battery that never stops.

However, I'm pretty sure that the thing with connecting with someone on a deep (soul) level by looking into their eyes is not the same thing as Empathy. I expect there's a name it's recognized by but I can't for the life of me think what it's called. It's really more of a telepathy thing than an empathy thing, although they are both psychic abilities.

Gotta run for now, or I'll be late to Coven Class. I'll check back when I can.

[Pesha]

Hey sweetie, good to hear from you. But I'm sorry to hear you're still struggling. Just had a thought - do you have the filters set on your shield to allow loving positive energies to go in and out, but to block the negative unloving energies?


Good gravey, I never even considered I might be blocking everything. I need to regroup and reset my filters accordingly. Lunacie thankyou for reminding me.

HUGS!!

[Lunacie]

Well, that's exactly what I did when I first needed a shield so desperately, and boy did I ever get lonely. ;) Don't know why I didn't think to ask you that sooner. :hugz:

[Diotima]

Thanks for all the info, Lunacie.:fpraiseyo
Sounds like my shield is in need of updating. I'm going to start from studying that. Now that I know there is a name for this another ability, I'll try to do some search about it too. I hope I'll find something- I have so many questions about everything.

[TheWomanMonster]

Shield filters are very important...
I used to block everything out too...
and worse yet, bottle it all in. _inabox_

Thanks for reminding us all Lunacie and Pesha.

I hope you're all well.

I feel lighter and happier, a strange sensation for me.
Especially considering I'm hanging by a thread financially.
Need a new job, new home and new life.

it's a mad world.

[Diotima]

I've started to build a new shield. It's not easy, but I think I'm making some progress. I'm going to do as suggested in Class section and keep building this shield daily for a few months.
As far as studying goes, I have read as much as I have been able to. At the moment I think there is a good possibility that I am more of a telepath than an empath, though it's too early to tell anything for certain. I'm going to keep an open mind and explore both possibilities.

Lunacie, I think you were right about my automatic shield. I think I managed to See it, and it was a big, rectangular block of energy(?), that appeared to block things out by its sheer mass. It also felt incredibly heavy- no wonder I have felt drained, having dragged that thing along everywhere.

The new shield I'm constructing is very different. I call it "stardust shield" as I see it as a thin, sparkly layer of stardust all over me, reflecting negative, draining vibes away and keeping positive energy inside. I'm now in the Big City, and just keep thinking that I feel so light, so energic and wonderful in general. :boing: I'm not getting anything dramatic from people, but I feel faint vibes sometimes when someone passes me on the street. I'm accompanying my new shield by a simple "breathing exercise". Since this new shield of mine feels so incredibly light, I tend to "tighten" it too much. I've blocked everything I can out for years, and now being aware of this feather light protective layer around me feels quite strange. So, every now and then I exhale, thinking that I exhale negative energy away (looks like a little puff of grey/black smoke), and then I inhale a little positive "stardust", the energy from air, earth and plant life in and let it refresh me. It seems to help.

A question: Is it normal to have difficulty in taking down my old shield? I've tried to shatter it, but think that I have managed to break only pieces out of it. I am making some progress, but I think that taking it down completely and replacing it with my new shield will take some time. I also get a slight headache when I'm breaking it- wonder why.

[covenofkeys]

not been in here really, but thought i would say a quick hello, i am an extreme empath, when i say extreme, i mean extreme.and have been since i can remember, it is for me both gift and curse, i deal with it by mostly ignoring it, because it gets me down, but there are times when i can use it to help others, so in those cases ignoring it just isnt an option. i can tune into most peoples emotional/physical/spiritual state but it isnt something i choose to do, it just happens.so i go with the flow, and if it is too much i have to ignore it, i already suffer with depression, so sometimes it just adds to it, but i do help where i can.
ok i said it! now y'all know my secret. lol
~runs out the door~

[Lunacie]

Lunacie, I think you were right about my automatic shield. I think I managed to See it, and it was a big, rectangular block of energy(?), that appeared to block things out by its sheer mass. It also felt incredibly heavy- no wonder I have felt drained, having dragged that thing along everywhere.

The new shield I'm constructing is very different. I call it "stardust shield" as I see it as a thin, sparkly layer of stardust all over me, reflecting negative, draining vibes away and keeping positive energy inside. I'm now in the Big City, and just keep thinking that I feel so light, so energic and wonderful in general. :boing: I'm not getting anything dramatic from people, but I feel faint vibes sometimes when someone passes me on the street. I'm accompanying my new shield by a simple "breathing exercise". Since this new shield of mine feels so incredibly light, I tend to "tighten" it too much. I've blocked everything I can out for years, and now being aware of this feather light protective layer around me feels quite strange. So, every now and then I exhale, thinking that I exhale negative energy away (looks like a little puff of grey/black smoke), and then I inhale a little positive "stardust", the energy from air, earth and plant life in and let it refresh me. It seems to help.

A question: Is it normal to have difficulty in taking down my old shield? I've tried to shatter it, but think that I have managed to break only pieces out of it. I am making some progress, but I think that taking it down completely and replacing it with my new shield will take some time. I also get a slight headache when I'm breaking it- wonder why.

Diotima,
We Americans have been taught that bigger is better, more is better... and that it's all or nothing. Apparently we aren't the only ones who have picked up these silly notions and internalized them. ;) The sparkly shield sounds wonderful - and somewhat ironic because in class on Saturday evening we were learning ways to cleanse our aura and one was to (ground and center first) visualize sparkly clean energies flowing over our auras, and then soaking in and energizing us. I haven't felt so tingly in a looong time. :)

And another thing we've forgotten to do with all the stresses and distractions of modern life is to simply breathe. We need air to move the energy through our bodies (both physical and energetic bodies).

And yes, I think it's very normal to have trouble getting rid of an old habit, and toting that big old shield around was a very ingrained habit for you. Why do you think you need to "break" it? That does sound painful, no wonder it gives you a headache. Could you just use that energy to power up your new shield? Do you remember "The Transformers" kids tv show... you could transform the old shield into the new shield?

I've posted a new thread with some really good information about psychic or energy vampires that everybody should be aware of, especially empaths and intuitives and sensitives. http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=144381



not been in here really, but thought i would say a quick hello, i am an extreme empath, when i say extreme, i mean extreme.and have been since i can remember, it is for me both gift and curse, i deal with it by mostly ignoring it, because it gets me down, but there are times when i can use it to help others, so in those cases ignoring it just isnt an option. i can tune into most peoples emotional/physical/spiritual state but it isnt something i choose to do, it just happens.so i go with the flow, and if it is too much i have to ignore it, i already suffer with depression, so sometimes it just adds to it, but i do help where i can.
ok i said it! now y'all know my secret. lol
~runs out the door~

CoK, you're not the only one with that secret - and your secret is safe with me. :) I think being an undiagnosed empath was also making my depression worse (and it was pretty severe at times over the years). I've made a lot of changes and self-diagnosed with Empathy and ADHD, and just knowing why I've struggled has made a huge difference in letting go of the guilt and self-blame and depression. Learning new shielding techniques and simply learning to recognize my own energies so I can tell when I'm feeling something that isn't mine has also been freeing. I hope you'll read more about Empathy and feel better too. :hugz:

[covenofkeys]

hi, its Nightshade please! Coven of Keys is the Coven i head, -i have had a look around the Empathic bunker today,i think it isnt about how i feel, not really, its more about how i can make those around me feel, and how i use my abilities, i have had a looong time to come to terms with my little secret as it were, but i enjoy helping those where and when i can, even though it occasionally does interfere with my norm. i use my ability to its full extent and have embraced it, as in the beginnig, fighting it only made it grow stronger.as far as my depression goes, it is pretty much under control though i do still have off days, but i can function in simple everyday tasks now, time is a great teacher, and healer. i see more than what most people see, i feel more than what most people feel, i and i hear with more than my ears.i have this ability in the highest sense, and i personally know many Empaths, who cannot even begin to comprehend the extent of the ability that i have, i have never as of yet met another who is like myself, -and it is a lonely path to walk, but then we all walk alone, dont we?
an empath is an empath however, so i am glad of this forum, so that i know if i am finding things difficult, i can come in here, and have friends, that wont look at you as if youre crazy. lol thankyou for acknowledging me.

[mithrilmoon]

Yes, indeed.

We seem to share a great many qualities and problems. I relate to everything you say. I feel and sense everything intensely. I can't switch it off. How useful it might be for me, personally, were I able to!

I, too, am sometimes mistakenly regarded as crazy. When one suffers from clinical depression others tend to make incorrect assumptions...

Warm blessings.

Pauline XX

[covenofkeys]

thats the thing, it is there permanently, and there is no on off button, but mine comes in varying degrees,at different times to the point of i have no control over it, it just happens, as i said before. sometimes i just cant deal with it so i ignore it as best as i can, usually i joke around, it is my way of dealing with life's crap i guess.
it is a heavy burden to carry, but nonetheless it is warming to know that you can help someone, somehow, making you feel {LOL} a little better, that you are worth at least something.
every minute of every hour of every day month and year, i carry these abilities around with me, as do many others, and it is never easy or simple, but we learn to cope, to survive, it is our way.
but- its what drives us that counts,-mine being i love to give a little something back to someone else, making them happier, sometimes just being there, can help a person.....but in other ways,sensing their pain, their hurt, their sadness and sorrow, their deceptions,their hatred and every other curse'd emotion others have, and not just sensing it but really feeling it, in all of its raw glory and not only this but visualising it seeing it, and experiencing it, well...i find it to be sometimes unbearable, and i will cry for days. it is too much, and if i could rid myself of it, ya know i think i probably would, if it wasnt for the fact i think i can help others, through it.

[Lunacie]

I thought the advice in this link was excellent: http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=144381. When it gets to be too much you need to take a little time and space for yourself. Even if that just means excusing yourself to go to the bathroom. That gives a little time to cleanse the gunk that's sticking to our auras, and draw some clean fresh energy - either from the earth through our root chakra, or by holding our hands under the running water in the sink and using our hand chakras.

[covenofkeys]

:cheers: thank you

[TheWomanMonster]

I thought the advice in this link was excellent: http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=144381. When it gets to be too much you need to take a little time and space for yourself. Even if that just means excusing yourself to go to the bathroom. That gives a little time to cleanse the gunk that's sticking to our auras, and draw some clean fresh energy - either from the earth through our root chakra, or by holding our hands under the running water in the sink and using our hand chakras.

Yes, I find that works extremely well.
Growing up people wondered why I spent so much time in the bathroom...
Guess now I know why it always gave me that sense of security.

[Diotima]

covenofkeys: Oh, the off button would be nice. Though if there were one, I would never have found my way here... I'm just beginning to comprehend in what a state of fear and denial I've spent my past few years in, and wow. Just wow.
I can also relate with the loneliness. I don't have anyone IRL to talk about these things and to learn with and sometimes, even during the years I have tried to deny this part of myself, I have felt very lonely. We who have special abilities are different. We may be able to help others every now and then, but can we ever feel truly at home among them?
Now that I have searched for info, I have been a bit upset about how 99% of the information available is obviously written by people who don't have a clue about how things really are. So many people seem to WANT to gain PSI abilities or empathy, are even willing to pay for learning some "tricks"- in my opinion, that's a pretty good sign of that they don't know what they are wishing for. For me, detecting a medicated anxiety disorder was a scary experience- what about someone who stumbles upon a full blown psychosis? Or people who want to connect with their pets...would they also like to feel the pain emanating from a research lab? Knowing that I am someone for whom such things could happen, even in theory, scares the Light out of me. :rant:
The only person I have shared a small part with is my spouse, and he is very supportive and understanding. He says I'm sensitive and understands my need for peaceful enviroment and meditation. Coming from a psychologist, that means a LOT to me and helps me to deal with occassional "I must be crazy" moments.

Lunacie: Interesting coincidence with sparklies- I'm encouraged.
About the old shield: The thing is, that it feels like solid rock in every way. I can't manipulate the energy in it- it is as if the energy was petrified. It just sits there, blocks things and drains my energy- I can't even make it move. When I break it, I think that part of the energy turns into "stardust" that I can use. But most of it does not- I don't know why. For now, I am trying to shatter that "rock" little by little, and at the same time to enhance my new shield.

[covenofkeys]

my friend it sounds as though you need to relax here, all is not as it seems, youre trying too hard, you must not think about it, and just do it, i dont know how else to explain it to you. Manipulation of the energy is not as hard or complicated as people seem to think, pure will of the mind, a strong desire, and good visualisation are just a few of the elements involved, but you first need to allow yourself to relax. be calm, be still, clear your mind, and try again. whilst youre trying too hard, and the more you concerntrate on trying, the less likely you are to succeed. as i say to people-dont just THINK you can do it, KNOW you can do it.
many people here will be willing to offer you the support and guidance you may need or want.
it took me 7 years to accept and deal with this secret, and no, we are never totally at home with the ordinaires as i have shamefully labelled them,{ i appologise.} but we can live amongst them and still find our peace.
i agree with what you say, when it comes to people who wish themselves to gain this or other abilities, it is ignorrance, but then ignorrance is bliss, isnt it.dont let it anger you, just try to see it from their point of view, -they are curious, and rightly so, some may even feel jealous, 'tis true, but all must learn things in their own way, so i try to explain it the best i can, and hope that at the end of it, they are a little more open and educated, regarding this.for some it will drive them even stronger to seek this out, whilst for many, they can then understand the full effects it has upon our lives, and those close to us....

[Diotima]

I am trying hard- but then, I think I have a good practical reason to do so. Tomorrow I'll have to visit certain scientist's office again, and by that time I hope to have in place a better shield than my old one. I'm not hoping for a miracle, but yeah, a decent shield would be good. I suppose that once I have survived it, I will be able to relax better.
But I am trying to be gentle to myself- I know that many of my difficulties are caused by the simple fact that I'm a beginner in controlling my energies. Having a talent is far from mastering a talent. I take comfort in knowing that if I practice diligently, in time progress will happen. :) Of course, I feel immensely blessed for having found this place and people who understand and help me. You give me hope!

I'm not angry at people for being ignorant- but thoughtlessness annoys me in general. This is just one more area where it manifests. I can understand that some would be jealous- so many people want to be "special" and what people on this thread have is pretty special. It may be hard for some to see beyond that fact.

[covenofkeys]

~huggles You~

[Lunacie]

Some really deep thoughts here - and not Jack Handy thoughts, these are serious and well thought out. I agree about so many people thinking this would be something cool, but if they had gotten their empathy blasted open and been unable to close it or filter it the way we have - they would think again. I haven't had a run in with someone suffering from a full blown psychosis, but you know how other people laugh at drunks? I don't. I can feel the pain that they are trying to mask with alcohol or drugs.

Because I've struggled with depression for nearly my whole adult life, it's really hard for me to be around someone who is really depressed. Sometimes I accept the Mask at face value and ignore what we both are feeling.


Diotima, it's interesting to read that your spouse says you're a Sensitive as well as an Empath. I don't know whether those are two different things that are sometimes found hand-in-hand, or whether they are simply different levels of sensitivity. It's something I've written about here and on the ADD forum (there are several Sensitives over there).

I am cursed with impatience (an ADD trait) and it sounds like you are very impatient to change your automatic shield into something lighter, more flexible, and adjustable. Very understandable. Nightshade had some good advice about that.

It's very true about trying too hard and making it harder than it has to be. Which is why earlier I mentioned that in doing the aura work in class we first grounded and centered. Which involves finding a comfortable position to sit in, closing our eyes the better to sense the energies, taking at least 3 slow breaths. By doing that we release tension and any negative energies that are sticking to our auras. Then send down roots through the root chakra and draw up some earth energy (grounding). Pull that energy into your solar plexus chakra (centering). And then visualize clean sparkling Universal energies entering through the crown chakra, flowing down into the solar plexus chakra, and mingling with the earth energy. We are both physical creatures and spiritual beings, and mingling those energies is a good way to balance those polarities.

This chart shows the seven major chakras, and the three major auric fields (blue closest to the body, oval following the countours about 3 to 12 inches out, and the outer aura which can be anywhere from 6 inches to 4 feet away. I have a friend who has been using an EMF meter to check auric fields and has found that some people have auras that extend even further than that.

http://www.solfasound.org/images/Chakras%20Diagram%20Small.jpg



Crown -- Center Top of Head -- Gold/White -- Spirituality
Third Eye -- Between Eyebrows -- Violet/Indigo -- Intuition, Visualization
Throat -- Bottom of Throat -- Blue/Violet -- Communication
Heart -- Center of Chest -- Green -- Love, Compassion
Solar Plexus -- Beneath Rib -- Yellow -- Passions, Emotion
Spleen -- Naval -- Orange -- Sexuality, Creativity
Root -- Pelvic Bone -- Red -- Life, Basic survival

[covenofkeys]

alcoholicism/alcoholism is no joke, no, -my mother was one, it killed her in the end, such a sad sad way to go.

[covenofkeys]

thought id post my poem here.....


The Empath

within my soul i feel your pain,
through weathers' fair or weather's rain,
within my heart i know your way,
this is with me every day,
i see the hurt upon your face,
and dream for you another place,
i try all i can to ignore it,
but it consumes me bit by bit,
to sense your emotion with all that i be,
to vision with more than eyes can see,
to hear with more than my ears,
i listen and cry the deep dark tears,
to be restless and sleepless all at the same time,
this is my way, this burden is mine,
but i take it and use it to help another,
you are my sister, you are my brother,
connected are all that live in this world,
one way or another,our story will be told,
so light up with a smile-its getting me down,
the endless misery, please lose your frown,
please just be peacefull, and happy too,
that is my want, my wish for you,
rid of your anger,frustration and lies,
oh please help me break these ties,
trapped am i in this world of feeling,
to some it does sure seem appealing,
let me tell you that its no joke,
it consumes you up making you choke,
so step backward, a step or two,
and take this from a different view,
no laughing matter is Empathy,
a wish, if i could-of it id be free.


Nightshade.

[Diotima]

Good poem, Covenofkeys. :)

I am happy to report, that yesterday went well. I prepared for my visit by trying to create a filter against pain to my shield- blue sparklies! I also tried to create a "conduit" that took energy from Air and Earth instead of consuming my own energy for maintaining the shield.
I think I succeeded fairly well: I did feel some discomfort, and had a long night of sleep. But during the day, I was able to function normally and didn't have headaches, exhaustion or anything else really nasty. :) I'm happy about this improvement, and yeah...feel more relaxed already.

Lunacie, it seems that once again you have brought me the "Revelation of the Day" :fpraise: . I confess that I haven't ever paid attention to Chakra talk- I've just put it under "New Age nonsense" and never bothered to look. Then you posted the chart, and I realized that as long as I've been doing mental exercises, I have always "drawn" energy from two centers, and they precisely show on your chart!!! (Just for explanation, during the years I have denied some of my abilities, I have worked on improving what I have considered to be "natural" skills, emotion control, linking with my subconscious and such).
When I do something by visualizing, I always center whatever I'm doing around the place where crown chakra is. And when I need to draw my own energy, I do it at solar plexus point. Just to add to this revelation, I have always been experiencing emotions very deeply. For example, heartbreak for me means that I feel something literally shattering in my chest, and experience physical pain. I have always found it weird that these feelings are not centered around where my heart lies. After doing some research, they seem, instead center around my thymus- where my heart chakra is supposed to be. Once again, I'm feeling very big-eyed.

[Lunacie]

I do wish someone had suggested a sparkly shield to me 17 years ago when I first learned to put up a shield, take it down, and had taught me more about using filters. And I too thought chakras were rather odd and didn't see the value of them. My solar plexus, heart and third-eye chakras are usually much more open than any of the others.

Our HPs teaches a wonderful chakra-blancing where she says to picture each chakra as a clear orb that you fill with each glowing color one at a time (red, orange, yellow, etc.), and to make sure that you make each orb exactly the same size. The ones that are harder to make glow are the ones that are more closed. This is an exercise you can do while you're driving, waiting in line someplace, taking a shower or bath. My favorite time has always been when I lay down to sleep at night, it's a very relaxing exercise.

When I was living with my ex, especially during the time he was cheating on me, I too felt that very real pain - like something actually breaking - in my heart chakra and also in my solar plexus and down into my naval. What most people call their heart and their guts, eh? I wasn't listening to my heart or my guts or I would have ended the marriage much sooner.

[Diotima]

It may well be that learning more about chakras will be my next project, after I have mastered shielding myself. :) About filters: what filters have you found most useful? And does maintaining a shield with a filter cost more energy than maintaining a "plain" shield? If yes, how do you cope with it?
Another thing I worry about are instant visions. I'm not sure that any filter I can build at the moment would have any hope of blocking one (and as they are such very rare experiences I'm not sure I'd even want to block them out completely) but I wonder if I could in any way prepare myself for possible next occurrence so that it would be a little less...booming?...than the previous ones. Now that I'm not spending all my spare energy to suppressing my talents, I have this developing fear that I might be becoming more open to experiencing them as well.

I wonder, is being able to experience emotions as physical feelings also somehow related to empathy? From what I have gathered, such a strong link between emotions and physical sensations seems to be rare.

[Lunacie]

I've experimented now and then with filters such as ... using one to filter UV rays so my fair skin doesn't burn as quickly or as badly ... using one to make me "invisible" to mosquitos - not perfect but it did reduce the number of bites. I am very sensitive to sounds, especially loud noises, I should try a filter to mute those eh?

I've never noticed any one particular shield draining more energy, but then I was taught to draw Universal energy to power my shield. There are very few times when one needs to use one's own personal energy. Thick, thin, all one color, multi-colors, sparkles, several different layers to block different things... none of those should drain you if you have the shield "plugged into" the Universe. Just think about the massive amounts of energy that are released every time a star goes nova. ;)

"Vision alert! Vision alert!" I really haven't tried to set up an alarm connected to my shield, but I've known other people who did that. An alarm generally would alert you to incoming energies, but if you visualize something like street lights that have sensors that turn them on when it gets dark enough... hmm...

My empathy picks up both emotions and physical feelings, which is what led me to focus on using my energies for healing work most often. My Reiki teacher says she visually scans a client before she starts doing Reiki work on them - using a combination of actual eyesight and third-eye psychic vision. I've never been especially apt at seeing things, but boy can I ever feel when there's a blockage in the energy - as well as when there's a blockage in the emotions. Am I really that rare?

[Diotima]

I like the vision alert idea. :) Now, I only need to figure out how to make it work. I have searc