Is empathy real?

[justme]

If I'm an empath, or I'm just crazy I vote for the sencond one. Then I have a thoery about empathy. Empathy is the amout of how much you can sense antoher persons feelings. I think if you are to be considered an emptah you feel the excat same amout of feeling someone else is feeling. If you have a little bit of empathy then you can feel bad when some one crys but only a little. If you have less say half empathy then when some one crys you feel really bad and close to tears but not crying. If you are a full empath then when someone crys you put you head down so no one can see you cry and try and choke back the tears. I mean really YOUR CHOKEING ON TEARS. Now if I'm not crazy i have too recent encounters of this kind. One is understandable, one really scares me. The sensable one is my youth group leader was talking about a friend and I THINK if I'm not crazy I felt he was going to explode (not literally of course) and when some one asked what happened to his friend. I was thinking NO DON'T ASK SHE DIED when he replyed she died and he broke into tears, now no one else was crying ( or had there head down) and i had to put my head down so my sister wont look at me and ask whats wroung and i felt like i coundt breath and finally had to let some tears come but still its reasonable beacause i at least KNOW my youth group leader. I don't cry when I'm alone. I read old yeller with out feeling anything, i read the green mile and wacthed it without feeling anything i wacthed gone with the wind without feeling anything. Well i felt a little sad of course but if I'm not crazy I can sense that was just sympathy. This one scared me. We had a guest speaker in school to come talk about drunk driveing and at one point she burst into tears about her sister and how she died. And agian i looked down and choked pretty much, GOD IT FELT AWFUl I didn't even know what i was crying about! Or when I started! And I never even meet her. Now plz reply and tell me if I'm crazy or does this make sense. If you do that I'll post something else thank you.

[ElijahJones]

Youre not crazy, But I would not be so quick to ascribe it to some extrasensory gift. You are smart and you percieve in peoples body language the thing sthey feel. You are an empath but you do not need to be ruled by it. In fact many empaths are taken advantage of because they allow themselves to feel pity to an extreme. The world is a place where such gifts are valuable but should be devleoped and properly managed. You may also increase or diminish this ability as you learn more about yourself. The emotion you feel may be your own and what you see in those who hurt gives you opportunity to vent. Regards, EJ

[Placebo]

There's quite a number of people with a gift like this. Whether it is paranormal, I can't say. But pleease please try to use paragraphs and type a little more carefully. You'll get more people reading your entire post if you do (eg. I didn't finish it all)

[Leo Volont]

Yes, you have a very open heart chakra, and you were able to receive the full blast from that other person's broken heart. But leaving your heart chakra wide open may be problematic. For instance, what if the overriding emotion in the room had been a murderous anger? It would be good if you could be able to fold that heart chakra down, just like it is useful to be able to blink the eyes in the presence of too strong a light. It is nice to be Empathic, but you do not need to share emotional breakdowns detail per detail. After you know what is going on, that is, after your Empathy has already served its purpose, try cutting off the unwanted emotional resonances by consciously constricting your Energy Flow just under the Throat Chakra -- simply imagine a stoppage in the flow that cuts off the Heart from throat and Head. You can turn it back on later.

[Kaniaz]

No, as was said before it's perfectly possible to read people's emotions from their body language, and their tone of voice, everything. It's that which can sometimes give an idea that things are a little "off". People have varying degrees of skill with this, so I guess that could help make it seem like a psi thing.

[Nirvana Starseed]

Also this is normal and everyone gets this eventually. It is real, It mostly happens when you have once in a past life (law of rebirth trust me) been in similar circumstances and when you see others in that circumstance you intuitivily know exackly what it is like and you have alot of empathy for them as a result. Because it strikes a chord in you. This is a good thing and your not crazy. Some people dont get that or have much empathy at all because they lack experience. That is my take on it anyway

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by Kaniaz No, as was said before it's perfectly possible to read people's emotions from their body language, and their tone of voice, everything. It's that which can sometimes give an idea that things are a little \"off\". People have varying degrees of skill with this, so I guess that could help make it seem like a psi thing. so our friend broke down in a sympathetic fit of hysterical crying because he picked up on some 'body language'. Yeah right. The problem with scientific quantitative thought, is that it has no appreciation for degree or quality. If you science guys can't count it, you toss it out as irrelevent. Bean counters.

[Kaniaz]

Originally posted by Leo Volont so our friend broke down in a sympathetic fit of hysterical crying because he picked up on some 'body language'. *Yeah right. Yeah, right! The problem with scientific quantitative thought, is that it has no appreciation for degree or quality. If you science guys can't count it, you toss it out as irrelevent. [/b] Um, sure. You've already wrote enough content about how all scientists, the media and pretty much everything was controlled by us in some rather elaborate set up just so we could all go \"HA HA, FOOLED YOU!\". So I don't feel like responding to it (again). Bean counters.[/b] Potato peeler.

[ElijahJones]

Leo, I am already not your friend, dont make me your enemy.

[Placebo]

Originally posted by ElijahJones I am already not your friend, dont make me your enemy. I didn't see anything that should cause you two to be enemies. You simply disagree. Or am I missing something here? In either case, please be nice you two (not that I'm seeing otherwise yet)

[justme]

Maybe I do pick up body langue and Im just really sympathic not empathic.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by ElijahJones Leo, I am already not your friend, dont make me your enemy. And exactly why is it that I should care? certainly there are better and more influential people than you that hate me already. and yet I eat well, and sleep at peace. So please, take your threats to the school yard where you may have better luck with your bullying. Oh, and I'm sure it has been lost on nobody that you can come up with no REASONABLE objections to my arguments, but have to resort to a violent and intimidating address. But I guess I was impressed to the extent that you were able to spell most of the words correctly. But it surprising me that anybody with that much education cannot be more polite.... but perhaps you used a spell checker.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by Placebo I didn't see anything that should cause you two to be enemies. You simply disagree. Or am I missing something here? In either case, please be nice you two (not that I'm seeing otherwise yet) I had just delineated the limitations of the Scientific Procedures -- that Quantitative Analysis does not admit to Qualitative Evaluation. I suppose people who fancy Scientists to be the most God-Like of People resent any intimation that their Precious Science may have a huge Blind Spot. So, their lashing out in anger is simply one of the first symptoms in assimulating this Epiphany -- this realization that had apparently never occurred to them on their own. Anger is how their Denial is manifesting.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by justme Maybe I do pick up body langue and Im just really sympathic not empathic. So, you are convinced that you broke down into a crying fit because of how somebody angled an elbow toward or away from you? Perhaps you should consider another kind of Empath. These are the Tiger Sensers -- they know when a Tiger is close by. They don't have to see the tiger, hear the tiger, or even smell the tiger... indeed, they couldn't. They know when a tiger is within a quarter of a mile, even if it is downwind and hiding perfectly still. The Talent is distributed even now through the general population -- about one person out of everyt 100 has it. There are not many Tigers anymore, but these same people invaribly know when a cat is nearby. I suppose the Talent of sensing Tigers was an ability that was necessary to every village or nomadic Group, or the Human Race would not have survived. Well, since THAT for of Empathy is entirely free of depending upon physical clues, then why suppose that your form of Empathy must depend upon you studying a person's posture before you can feel their pain.

[justme]

Antoher possibality a sad person senser. Even though I'm intersted in how those ppl have tiger sens which isn't really supernatural as much as it is insticit. Thats all i say for now.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by justme Antoher possibality a sad person senser. Even though I'm intersted in how those ppl have tiger sens which isn't really supernatural as much as it is insticit. Thats all i say for now. How does 'Instinct' know that a tiger is lirking on the fringes of the Village? One might as well say that all Supernatural Powers eventually resolve into the Primitive Instincts at some level. It does not make them less Supernatural simply because they can somehow contribute to Survival. Healing is a perfect instance of a Supernatural Power that has some obvious utility for survival. Here, we could also count the Multiplication of Food -- very useful when a complete Tribe must feast upon just one celebrated kill. They say that Astral Projection may have started out as a means of locating herds of prey animals. So 'Instinct' does not explain away the Supernatural, but rather supports the notion that Humanity not only HAS Supernatural Powers inherent to them, but has them because they have always NEEDED them, and could not have survived without them.

[ElijahJones]

Is there a link or a book somehwere where we could learn more about tiger sensers?

[Placebo]

Why is it so hard to swallow the possibility that an elbow angled in a certain way, or the look on his face, betrays an emotion to a person that is in turn taken unto themselves? Our brains are essentially an incredibly efficient pattern sorting and recognising tool. I feel it's a little unfair to jump to the supernatural explanations without even a consideration of the mundane. But that's just me ... PS: Please, no more insults from either side. Or I'll have to take it quite seriously as disrespect to others is a violation of the rules.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by ElijahJones Is there a link or a book somehwere where we could learn more about tiger sensers? I'd have to write it. You see, I've spent much of my life traveling the World, and learning things that can't be learned from books. You see, authors, the type of people who typically write all the books, are mostly among the least adventurous, and therefore, least inquisitive of men. So, if you hope to learn all you will ever know from books, you won't get to learn very much, will you?

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by Placebo Why is it so hard to swallow the possibility that an elbow angled in a certain way, or the look on his face, betrays an emotion to a person that is in turn taken unto themselves? Our brains are essentially an incredibly efficient pattern sorting and recognising tool. I feel it's a little unfair to jump to the supernatural explanations without even a consideration of the mundane. But that's just me ... PS: Please, no more insults from either side. Or I'll have to take it quite seriously as disrespect to others is a violation of the rules. It is not a question is Body Language. Body language has nothing to do with it. The most that Body Language could do would be to suggest somebody's emotional mode. IT WOULD NOT MAKE SOMEBODY BREAK DOWN IN SYMPATHETIC TEARS! Simple knowledge cannot do that. Empathic Emotions do that. Well, a good story teller, or movie director can also make people cry, but not to the same extent as our empathic friend here who seemed to duplicate a nervous breakdown he had witnessed. Certainly, I can't imagine anybody not being able to recognize an emotion breakdown when they see one. to call it 'body language' would be a silly use of words. Who can't recognize an emotional breakdown? Yet the mere recognition of an Emotional Breakdown hardly induces the same symptoms in anybody but an Empath. And about insults. What makes it your business Haven't you had enough trouble but that you have to go around stirring it up where you have no concern. Has anybody insulted you? It was I who have been insulted and threatened by that scientist who offers to be my enemy for simply expressing an argument. But it was all just words, wasn't it? And the last time I checked words don't hurt a bit. And the man, as a scientist wouldn't know the first thing about putting a curse on me. So what is the problem? Leave it up to me to report my own complaints. You should mind your own business, Placebo. Or perhaps you should be man enough to attract your own troubles, instead of having to mix up in other people's affairs. Placebo, the human shadow.

[Placebo]

Originally posted by Leo Volont It is not a question is Body Language. Body language has nothing to do with it. The most that Body Language could do would be to suggest somebody's emotional mode. IT WOULD NOT MAKE SOMEBODY BREAK DOWN IN SYMPATHETIC TEARS! Simple knowledge cannot do that. Empathic Emotions do that. I see what you're saying, but I have also met people who break down and cry at the smallest of angry words. If you read an emotion from a person that makes you feel sad, it may very well make you break out in tears if you are a person of this nature. Now I'm not saying I'm right, and we don't have something of a supernatural nature here. I'm simply putting the suggestion into the mix, for the sake of discussion And about insults. What makes it your business? Haven't you had enough trouble but that you have to go around stirring it up where you have no concern. [/b] The organisational structure and rules of this forum make it my concern. It is my job to moderate this section. I am not stirring it up at all - I'm trying to prevent it being stirred up. Your reply isn't helping however. I realise that you did not start the tiny, passing mud sling. I was not judging anybody for it. And the last time I checked, words can hurt quite a bit. Please report me as a complaint if you feel I am meddling. Why are you turning on me for trying to keep the peace?

[Howie]

I don't see why this can't be a combination of both. I don't think you can argue that our physcological make up allows us to interpret others emotions. As Kaniaz & placebo pointed out. And I believe that our subconscious picks up on much more subtle clues to body language than we know on its own. And if someone like justme has evolved his own senses and become "AWARE" of these subleties coupled with the possibilty that he was born a more sympathectic person...well there you have it. But to dismiss Supernatural Power is also just as narrow minded as to dimiss our senses. But one is much more easy to see and understand.

[Leo Volont]

Originally posted by Placebo Why are you turning on me for trying to keep the peace? I just remember how you tried to stir things up again after the peace was made last week. You come across as a trouble maker. 'Good enough' wasn't good enough for you. You had to take one last departing shot. Also, when you issued your little warning, you were not at all clear as to whom you were picking on. I felt I may have been under attack for simply being on the side of Religion in a dispute against the what is now considered Holy Science -- this would not be the first Board to discriminate against Religion, or you to be the first Moderator to run a one sided Inquisition. Maybe you should have specified that you were not attacking me, but apparently your communication skills were not up to the task. Hmmmmm. Have you considered whether you are temprementally and intellectually suited to being a Moderator. Wanting to be a Moderator and having to the ability to be a tolerable Moderator are two very different things. Ask yourself whether you are not causing more trouble than you appear to be preventing.

[Placebo]

I didn't specify who I was attacking, because I wasn't attacking anybody in particular. I was simply asking that EVERYBODY restrain from insults. I don't see what communication skills have to do with that. Nevertheless, as I say, I'm not attacking anybody. I'm simply asking that everybody keep civil. I was simply worried that the insults would escalate, as they seem to do in issues like this. So.. back to the discussion... Howetzer - I agree. I'm not pushing the non-supernatural or the supernatural. I just feel it's worth looking at all the possibilities. Personally I feel it's possible that empathy maybe have a supernatural element to it as well However one thing is sure - there are definitely people who are very 'in tune' with other's emotion and thoughts. (IMO) [EDIT] I missed this question from Leo Ask yourself whether you are not causing more trouble than you appear to be preventing.[/b] I honestly thought it may prevent the trouble by asking civilly. But that can only happen if we don't drag it into the open and prod it with weaponry.

[Leo Volont]

[quote]I don't see why this can't be a combination of both. I don't think you can argue that our physcological make up allows us to interpret others emotions. As Kaniaz & placebo pointed out. And I believe that our subconscious picks up on much more subtle clues to body language than we know on its own. And if someone like justme has evolved his own senses and become "AWARE" of these subleties cuopled with the possibilty that he was born a more sympathectic person...well there you have it. But to dismiss Supernatural Power is also just as narrow minded as to dimiss our senses. But one is much more easy to see and understand. Howetzer, you too? Honesty, how can anybody still be talking about whether one can recognize a nervous breakdown. The point in discussion is the transfer of Emotions from one person to another. Anybody can recognize an Emotional Breakdown. But only an Empath will break down in sympathy. and it is not a good thing. The Emotional Sheath... the Heart Chakra would have to be way too open and vulnerable. It may be a good thing to be able to pick up on other people's emotions, but not to allow them to penetrate into us to such an extent that we become as much of a basket case as the person having the Breakdown. One needs to be able to Close the Heart as easily as one can Open it, or it would impair our ability to function.