The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People

I knew a decent amount of the information in here but the way it is organized and presented is so wonderful and very helpful. It’s so nice not feeling so alone in the world as well whenever I read a book by an empath. I really appreciate the different dives into the spiritual aspects of being an empath too. Definitely recommend and might be inspired to actually start and empath support group!

I love reading about my natural intuitive and telepathic gifts. This book was by far the best because the author is an empath herself. As a child many moons ago and even then a few years back, I thought I was going insane. I had dreams, wild vivid dreams and visions every single day of my life. I could see through people's lives at times as if i there watching them. I felt their pain, sadness, anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, and happiness as if it was done to me. All sensory abilities are heightened and amplified. I was sensitive to just about anything you can think of. Odd as it seems, as the author mentions, you do find a way to communicate and be sensitive to even with animals. I remember having visions of my dog letting me know she would leave by showing me how she wanted to be buried. I felt like my heart and chest was bursting and my lungs felt heavy and pain was always eminent. She died four months later, she was experiencing kidney failure and had an enlarged heart. This was her way of letting me know her pain and it completely devastated me but i always felt her presence. Six months before my grandmother died, I kept calling my mother insisting that my grandmother be rechecked because she wasnt fine. Six months later on Christmas Eve, she died. I couldn't explain the pain I felt like I was literally dying. And I was feeling her pain actually. My mother kept asking me how I knew over and over again. I feel all the time the presence of people whom I've never met, and it was how i met my grandfather Salvador this way. When i was 19, i remember attending my own funeral and i vividly saw how i had died. I remember telling my dad the next morning that i was going to die very soon or so I thought. The following week, I had survived a terrible car accident that was caused by a distracted driver. Over time, i had a way to come in contact with guides, some are archangels, others are loved ones and you can literally pick up on their energies, scents, symbols. It can be overwhelming to be an empath if you don't cultivate and hone in on your gifts. Meditation and visioning is what really helped me out a lot. Two years ago, as I was meditating, I remember vividly always seeing my room in a bright light at times it was a bright blue light. I had visitations, visions, and felt other things before that but through meditation I was able to be more consciously aware of what happens in dreams and meditations. It was through that I first hand learned about being an Empath, psychic,, using and attracting energies, tapping into other beautiful undiscovered spiritual gifts, and other amazing gifts. I learned that my own flaws, are powerful and amazing gifts that simply should be well harnessed and used to be of service and help to others. I've read many books on being an empath, I love this book because its very relatable, and when you live in a world where people tend to be judgemental and believe you're erroneous for having such abilities, we are in much need of meeting more like minded people who can mentor us as to how we can best use our gifts and create boundaries to not let ourselves be drained or let alone shield ourselves from absorbing other's emotions, energies, thoughts, and feelings.

It is interesting that Judith Orloff starts off in her book, 'The Empath's Survival Guide' in saying that empaths have a hyperactive mirror neuron system so that we are able to sense what other people are going through, and that narcissists have empathy deficient disorder. I say we have to be careful as empaths not to get pulled in by a narcissist. I have, and it takes a lot of time to undo it. Save yourself some time for more pleasant life experiences and really learn how to protect yourself as an empath. Dr Judith Orloff covers all aspects of how to do this in the book. You can purchase it as a book, as a kindle ebook or as an audio CD.Dr. Orloff goes on to talk about how the medical system tries to diagnose empaths as having a disorder. No no no. It is not true. We have very healthy boundaries and are taking care of ourselves. Yes, we empaths almost always sense what is going on with people, and just have to continue to know there is nothing wrong with us, and continue setting those boundaries such as knowing when to leave when we start feeling overwhelmed around someone or a group of people. This is important for all aspects of our health.I resonate with so many things Dr. Orloff mentioned in her book 'The Empath's Survival Guide'. One thing in particular is that she thought it was a good idea to take a separate car when going to an event or party. I always took a separate car when going to parties with someone to be able leave when I felt overwhelmed. I couldn't stand small talk either. I took side streets, many of the things she mentions that empaths do.I referred a couple of friends to this important book. One of them bought 'The Empath's Survival Guide' thinking it is just what she needed because she has a client that doesn't honor her boundaries and she needs help with that. She was so grateful I told her about it.We as a society should be thinking about teaching this in schools before children go out into the world and it would help in interactions with other kids. Like Dr. Orloff, I too was scared of my own sensitivities in my childhood and tended to withdraw instead. So what did I do after High School? I worked for a Psychiatrist hoping I could also figure out what was wrong with me. I get more out of Dr. Ofloff's lectures, radio interviews and books that help me now than I did then. Psychiatry has taken a more positive and personal stance, thankfully.Read and reread this book, 'The Empath's Survival Guide, so that you don't get yourself in situations you don't want to be in and find an easier way to express yourself. You will be more at ease being an empath.Enjoy!Kathy SE

An excellent guide to the curious, wonderful, confusing, exciting, anxiety inducing world of being an empath. This book helped explain so much, helps you to assess your level of empath tendencies, & gives good basic guidelines and tools on how to deal with that. There is no one size fits all book. This book may be the perfect fit for you, or it may just have a few good useful tools.

Great book for empaths