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As with all empathic input, you can always ask your inner self or a Higher Power to clear it from you if it becomes uncomfortable or unwieldy. The extra energy will be released in a good way to serve all concerned. Emotional Empathy Remember the old Barry Manilow song? I'm dating myself, but it does go on about feelings . . . nothing more than feelings. How can you assure a safe assumption of another's feelings? 1. Change negative programs. If you are the feeling sponge of the universe, it's probably because you confuse caring about others' feelings with carrying their feelings. Clear up these dismantling programs by examining the reasons you think it's your job to take care of others' emotions. Maybe you had to do that when young; maybe caretaking was modeled as the means of love. Then replace a belief like the following for the errant one: "I respect the gift another's feelings provide them and am willing to relate to those beneficial to them and myself." 2. Enjoy your emotional empathy. If you sense another's feelings, double- check internally to make sure they aren't your feelings. If you can link a feeling to yourself, promise to work with it later and continue with your session. If the feeling is most likely your client's, ask your inner self or Higher Power these questions: • Which feeling constellation does this belong to (fear, sadness, anger, disgust, joy)? • Should I mention this feeling to my client? If you sense a negative, simply acknowledge the feeling inside yourself and ask for blessings for your client. • You can mention a feeling with a client by saying statements like, "I have a sense of (this emotion) in your body. Do you relate to that?" Whether or not they choose to discuss it, simply send blessings to the client. Mental Empathy Receiving knowledge of a client's motivations or thoughts can assist you in figuring out what is occurring with them—as long as you aren't overwhelmed. These steps can help you: 1. Unpin a barraging belief. If you are too frequently struck by another's mental data, search for the underlying reason. When growing up, you might have been the analytical sensitive in the family— the one who had to figure everything out for everyone. So, alter that thinking with a new truth, like this: "I am only apprised of another's mental thoughts when that assists myself and them." 2. Think through the thoughts. What if you just "know" why a client is acting a certain way? Stuck? Ask the client if it's OK that you share an intuitive awareness. If not, release your data and ask that the client's Higher Power send them ease and grace. If you get a go- ahead, share your perceptions and keep asking the client if they relate to them. Spiritual Empathy Do the following to use your spiritual empathy during a session. 1. Set up filters. Sometimes, we tune into the spiritual realm because we want to know what's going on that isn't obvious. The best antidote is to get a spiritual guide. Ask your inner self or Higher Power to guide and protect you. 2. Share only when sure. If you strongly sense the presence of a negative or positive being, ask the client if they want to know if you have a sense of something. If they are OK with it—and if this area aligns with their spirituality— softly offer your awareness and only proceed further if they want to. As mysterious as empathy is, it is an inborn ability to connect with another. Keep yourself safe while using it and it becomes a tool in your bodywork medicine kit. Note 1. Cyndi Dale, Llewellyn's Little Book of Empathy (Woodbury, MN: 2019). Cyndi Dale is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and intuitive consultant. Her popular books include The Subtle Body Coloring Book: Learn Energetic Anatomy (Sounds True, 2017), Subtle Energy Techniques (Llewellyn Publications, 2017), Llewellyn's Complete Book of Chakras (Llewellyn Publications, 2016), The Intuition Guidebook: How To Safely and Wisely Use Your Sixth Sense (Deeper Well Publishing, 2011), Energetic Boundaries: How to Stay Protected and Connected in Work, Love, and Life (Sounds True, 2011), The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy (Sounds True, 2009), and The Complete Book of Chakra Healing (Llewellyn Publications, 2009), as well as nearly 20 additional books. To learn more about Dale and her products, services, and classes, please visit www.cyndidale.com. ENERGY WORK N e w ! A B M P P o c k e t P a t h o l o g y a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / a b m p - p o c k e t - p a t h o l o g y - a p p . 93