Have you ever been called "too sensitive" or "avoidant" before? Do you ever feel another's pain or emotions as if they are your own? Have you ever been told that you are overreacting and too sensitive during confrontation? You may be an empath. Being empathic is not simply feeling empathy for others in the sense of compassion; rather, it is actually deeply feeling another's emotions or stress as if they were your own (Orloff, 2017). This is experienced as taking on the energy that others are emitting, from an energetics standpoint, and is neurologically related to hyper-sensitive mirror neurons (Orloff, 2017). These cells are responsible for compassion; those who are empathic experience compassion so strongly that they directly feel what the other person is experiencing. This can be overwhelming for empaths and often manifests in the body as anxiety or extreme stress (Lebeau, 2012). Empaths also tend to gravitate towards introvert activities and avoid crowds, such as concerts or bars, as they take on too much energy from others in those settings and feel overwhelmed (Orloff, 2017). If this is something that you are experiencing, there are strategies and techniques to be in these settings, which can be found in the resources cited below. However, it is important for empathic individuals to chose their surroundings wisely, as negativity can manifest in empaths much stronger than others; therefore, it is important that empaths surround themselves with positive, supportive individuals and environments who are not depleting their energy (Orloff, 2017). Empaths are also more sensitive to dopamine, which allows them to find happiness and joy in simpler activities and in smaller groups (Orloff, 2017). This shift in social structure can happen as a child or as an adult, if the empath experienced an awakening later in life (Lebeau, 2012). Many empaths do not recognize that they experience the world differently until they are past their childhood or teenage years, while others recognize their empathic abilities at a young age (Lebeau, 2012). Awakening to the empathic experience is a challenge; it can bring about clarity and also a lack of answers. Empaths are still widely misunderstood, but there are emerging strategies and techniques for managing the intense emotions that empaths experience on a daily basis. A few of these resources are cited below, and beautifully explain the science behind or the experience of being empathic. Reiki is a very valuable healing option for those who are empathic. Reiki balances energy and can rake out energy that is cluttering the energy body, possibly put there from outside sources such as a work environment or negativity. Reiki practitioners read the energy body, identify areas that are deficient or overactive, and work to align the various areas that are in imbalance. Reiki also provides a space for empathic individuals to share their experience, be open about what they are feeling, and to receive gentle healing that helps balance their emotions, anxiety, or physical manifestations of stress. If this resonates with you, do not hesitate to reach out! I can provide resources or Reiki healing sessions to help manage your empathic experience. Being empathic is not a weakness, it is a strength that can be used to create a more compassionate, loving, and accepting world; however, self care is the most important part of being an empath. Take time for yourself and accept your sensitivity as the beautiful gift that it is! Resources E. Lebeau (2012). The empath experience: a review of its biological, psychological and spiritual bases. The Empath Experience. https://www.eliselebeau.com/the-empath-experience J. Orloff (2017). The science behind empathy and empaths. Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empaths-survival-guide/201703/the-science-behind-empathy-and-empaths Copyright 2018 Affirmations & Innovations LLC. All rights reserved.
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Reiki is a form of energy healing that is passed down from master to student. Reiki is used to balance the client’s energy and to help the client with physical or emotional experiences, such as pain, trauma, grief, anger, fatigue, discomfort, and any other forms of misalignment.
Reiki is performed using the practitioner's hands, as they facilitate energy movement in the body through the myo-facial system, which carries signals of electrical impulses called biophotons through the body (Johnson, 2016). Treatment can feel like a sensation of heat or energetic vibration when experienced in-person; at a distance, treatment can feel the same or can simply feel like a shift of body, mind or emotional function. With an in-person session at Affirmations & Innovations, the client will meet with the practitioner to discuss that which brought them to the appointment, any physical pain or emotions that they are experiencing, or anything else that may be useful to the practitioner to facilitate healing. In-person treatment is different from massage. The practitioner may use light touch but may also work just above the physical body. The practitioner may use sound healing or aroma therapy during a session, as well. After a session, the client and practitioner will discuss that which the practitioner noticed and worked on during treatment. The practitioner will also ask the client how they are feeling and what they experienced during the session. After this discussion the practitioner will suggest post-treatment care and tools that the client may find useful that are relevant to the treatment provided for continued care and healing. During a distance session with Affirmations & Innovations, the practitioner is able to connect to the client ‘s energy body using the bio-magnetic energy field to work directly on the client from a distance while the client is on the phone (Johnson, 2016). The practitioner always uses the client’s permission to perform distance work and the client is directly informed and involved throughout the session regarding the work the practitioner is performing. Over the phone, the patient and practitioner discuss how the patient is feeling, the practitioner scans the patient’s energy body, then they discuss that which the Reiki practitioner noticed. After this discussion, the practitioner explains the areas that will be worked on so that the patient is aware. Then, the practitioner performs the treatment. Finally, the practitioner and patient discuss what happen and how the patient feels. The practitioner provides tools or resources and after care, because energy work continues after the session and is often tiring. For more information regarding the science aspects of Reiki and why it works, read the referenced article by Amanda Johnson from the Elephant Journal and the resources referenced in the article. We can also suggest other articles or books if you are interested in the scientific component of Reiki. Send us a message to learn more! Sources: Johnson, A. (2016). How Reiki Works-The Science Bit. Elephant Journal, https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/02/how-reiki-works-the-science-bit/. Copyright 2018 Affirmations & Innovations LLC. All rights reserved. |