empathy.... was uh oh

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In a message dated 02/04/2000 11:35:00 PM Eastern Standard Time,

orleans writes:

> It was exactly what I needed! Alot of that happening for me on the list

> right now. This empath stuff keeps coming up in my life; several posts have

> mentioned it, people here and there in my life have mentioned it over the

> past couple of weeks unrelated really to any particular conversation.

> Tonight after reading TG's post it sort of settled in....I never really

> thought of it that way, but I do feel other people's feelings. The only way

> I've ever known out of that was anger.

 

I really think because we are all of one mind, that there is something that

rings true to what Harsha says "Be in good company." I can be in the

presence of like-minded and feel so much at peace. Us empaths (which I

think we all are) make great psychics as we can feel everything the other is

feeling. I've sat down with people and although I was totally at peace

prior, all of a sudden feel restless... or suicidal... or intimidated... or

happy and funny (my personal fav), sad... scattered, confused, peaceful, etc.

When I sit with someone scattered and/or confused, I lose all perspective,

and forget it is theirs and not mine... why? because now I'M confused! It

really gets funny sometimes, so have fun with it! It doesn't matter the

outward appearance... we pick up the internal feelings.

>Which I've fought my whole life...in

> many forms, judgement, irritation, politics, etc. Anyway, it settled in and

> I started to sort around in all my current relationships....noticing where

I

> have genuine feelings that belong to me....and where I wear the experience

> of others. I think the capacity to experience another person's reality is

an

> important aspect of compassion.....but immersion in that is another matter

> entirely.

 

I'm beginning to see that too - thanks for mentioning it. It is definitely

a gift that can be used for compassion, creativity, healing, and who knows

what all else. As I get to know myself better and better, it is becoming

more clear what is another's and what is mine. That sounds so separatist,

but in a way, it is very one-minded. I'm not quite clear on that right now.

>

> My whole life has been about the search for compassion and an understanding

> of its absence in individuals and communities. I think I need to go the

> other way for a while and become really clear about where I'm feeling my

> feelings...and accept them without warring with them, or judging

them.....(I

> know, Mental Health 101 A, but hey sometimes things just click,) and where

> I'm feeling other people's. Thanks, TG.....Love, Kristi

 

I've found that peace is our standard. And if we didn't do anything to bring

us out of peace (like send a post to the wrong list, LOL), then it isn't

ours. And the other is just our fears.

>

> P.S. TG, while this may be an obvious sort of thing for many, A Course In

> Miracles, has played a large role in my resistance to accepting my feelings

> as mine! The very intense teachings about forgiveness....and love of each

> other without respect to behavior....although it does also say not to join

> with anyone's bad dream. Sometimes these seem to me difficult to implement

> contradictions and confusions. I hate to admit this, but it's true for me.

> Maybe you could comment on this. Thank you, Kristi

 

I've found if I am not at peace with something the Course says, it is because

I have misinterpreted what it said. I have so many times, thrown the book in

the trash or across the room because of this. Now this feeling like I want

to throw the book away is a great reminder to open my mind where I had

previously closed it to my own interpretation, and allow Truth to come. "I

don't know anything about anything" is about the best place I can be when I'm

not at peace.

 

Thank you for your beautiful presence!

 

Much Love,

xxxtg