Mantra_DigitalIssue_1_Empaths_SensitiveSouls

22 MANTRAMAGAZINE.COM

eing an empath, a sensitive being, can be a mixed

blessing. While empathy is one of the things that

our world needs the most in order to heal, it’s also a

double-edged sword for those that can take on the pain of the

world. The reasons that empathy is a positive force for good

can be the very same reasons that empathy is a negative force

that impacts our lives in ways we don’t want it to.

For whatever reason, for many empaths, pain and negative

emotions are sensed more strongly and more easily than

joy and positive emotions. Not that we don’t sense joy and

positive emotions, but joy doesn’t energetically grasp at us in

the same way. Joy doesn’t desperately grapple for compassion

the way that suffering does. When another being is suffering,

it’s like their energy is calling out to the void, reaching out for

a hand that could pull them. Empaths feel that call more than

anything else, and it can drag them into the depths of despair

if not handled properly.

Because of this ability to feel empathy for others, many

sensitive beings will go out of their way to be there for others.

And while this is a beautiful and selfless act, if one does this

to the neglect of their own basic and emotional needs, they’ll

find themselves drained of energy very quickly. Boundaries

can become incredibly difficult to create and enforce because

of our need to comfort and protect. This also makes it easier

for an empath to fall into relationships with abusive dynamics,

because they often see the potential of a person, and the pain

of a person, to the point where it’s easy to excuse harmful

behaviors.

When there’s this urge to comfort others in pain, it can

actually cause an empath to change their behavior

and make themselves smaller to accommodate others’ unspoken

emotional needs.

Becoming an emotional chameleon is an impressive skill that

works wonders in a healer or therapist role, but is not as helpful

on a personal level. If you’re constantly altering your behavior to

accommodate the emotional needs of others, you may begin to

lose yourself and your autonomy. Your emotional needs may go

unmet, which, over time, could deplete you to the point where

you’re resentful of being there for others, or are unable to be there

for them at all.

Because of empaths’ natural ability to hold emotional space

for others, people will often unload their burdens onto the

unsuspecting empath. While it’s a great testament of character

to be considered a safe enough space for people to share, having

family and friends and even perfect strangers offering their

lifetime of pain and secrets can be a lot. Suddenly the sensitive

being finds themselves the unwilling secret keeper of the world,

which is a heavy burden to bear. Life is stressful enough with your

own secrets and issues, without adding the burdens of everyone

you cross paths with. All sorts of complications arise from empath

knowing, from knowing who’s into who, to the betrayal of friends

and family, to feeling completely isolated when no one matches

their talk with their energy.

Knowing the ways in which empathy can both help and harm is

necessary for sustainable change and healing. Being aware of the

obvious superpower of empathy and compassion, side by side with

the drawbacks of exhaustion and depletion, can remind you to take

care of yourself first. If you can keep your own cup filled, you’ll be

able to help others more and more.

THE DOUBLE-EDGED

SWORD OF EMPATHY

B

THE DOUBLE-EDGED

SWORD OF EMPATHY

Ora North

Empath, Healer and Author of I Don’t Want to Be an Empath Anymore

Instagram: @oranorth | oranorth.com

22 MANTRAMAGAZINE.COM