This post, and much of my writing, is for people who have been through an initial spiritual awakening, and are seeking ways to facilitate their upgrade process for the purposes of healing, stepping more fully onto their soul-path, and eventually embodying a position of grounded leadership or service.  

Previously I posted about specialty traits in empaths, a major one being the experience of 'having thin skin."  Thin skin means being sensitive to energy or emotions, such as electromagnetic frequencies, people who have crossed-over, chi flow in houses, or the unspoken feelings of other people, etc..  

There is a distinction between 'empaths' and 'highly sensitive people (HSP).'  HSP folks have a genetic trait that is similar to having sensory issues.  They reach a state of input overload in the nervous system more quickly than non HSPs, and it's my understanding that this trait affects around 30 percent of people.  Empaths can be HSP and vice versa, but neither are necessarily both.  Empaths however may have any number of things going on.  It could be that they have trauma-induced sensitivities, openings in their energy bodies, or mental health concerns that render them more susceptible to outside energies (or perhaps their sensitivities aggravate their mental health).  They could come from a lineage or tradition that cultivated and nourished their sensitivities purposefully.   For the purpose of this post it doesn't really matter.  My point is it can be helpful to identify what We/You experience as strengths, to be able to use them for our benefit and the benefit of others, and to dispel any fears or issues around them.  

There are pros and cons.  Many empaths/HSPs are troubled by their sensitivities, especially if they tend to take on dense or negative vibrations that are generated outside of themselves.  It can rock us to the core to feel and see certain things, and for many, it causes a great deal of cognitive dissonance, confusion, shame or denial, especially if the person was reared in a tradition that is highly logical/rational/scientific, religious, or what have you.  Fear of being labeled a witch or a weirdo is a tough thing for many people.  

All humans are innately able to perceive and send out subtle energies.  An empath or high-sensitive simply has a system of perception that is extra tuned-in and susceptible to the subtle energies or emotions around them.  It is more difficult for them to ignore, but, this could be considered and developed as a superpower as opposed to a weakness.  Similar to people who are not neuro-typical having a tendency toward highly developed cognitive intelligences, or the superpower of people who are extremely physical, strong, and courageous (warrior archetypes), though they may be less emotionally attuned (as example).  We all have our perks in various ratios.

To elaborate on the benefit of the empath type of superpower I need to evoke the feeling of being an extra-terrestrial, high vibrational being.  If you were an ET, and your race did not use verbal language, what would it use to communicate?  It would most likely use emotions and telepathy to convey specific energetic impressions as well as light and sound frequencies.  I think a lot of empaths identify as starseeds because we can somehow sense that these skills are paramount in a society of highly-evolved consciousness.  It is the power of communication, and healing.        

I see it as an ability that needs to be developed to further the evolution of humanity in a time when frequencies are accelerating rapidly.  If we choose to stay updated we can be at the top of our game through this process, and step into leadership roles to assist others as they awaken and upgrade.  How we do this is two things: 

1. Learn how to develop our skills of perception and intuition, and to translate our perceptions into meaningful or helpful information.  This guides us in our actions, responses, and choices, and assists us in the second task which is:

2. Processing, integrating, and healing old stuff, so we can process current issues more efficiently and effectively.  If we can stay updated and current in our lives and issues, and have a proper emotional/energetic/psychological hygiene practice, we can accelerate quite rapidly.  This in turn deepens our sensitivity and ability to perceive and translate energy, and we see positive changes in all aspects of our lives.  

The point of this post is to encourage people who feel bogged down by their sensitivities to consider getting some training or teachings regarding these processes.  Proper training and teachings are important for gaining ethical clarity, and for earning the privilige of the trust of other people.  This matters if we don't want to create more karmic attachments, but do want to clear old patterns and baggage, to become lighter.  It also matters if we support balance and reciprocity, that we support spiritual sovereignty and autonomy.  We help people to be empowered, not take power from them by giving it to ourselves (assuming we are all-knowing and have the authority to tell others how to conduct their lives without being asked for assistance).  That is ego out-of-balance.  

Here's a scenario:  an empath who has strong natural psychic abilities may easily perceive energies, thoughts, or scenarios that are playing out in people's lives.  They may not even want to receive this information, but they do.  Often the empath has a strong desire to assist and help others, so the psychic empath may begin telling people what they see surrounding them.  A person who lacks traditional teachings, trainings, or ethical understandings, may go about planting seeds in other peoples heads that can cause that person to change the course of their lives.  This creates a strong karmic attachment.  It is not a neutral thing if it causes an imbalance.  The teaching around this has to do with the principle of reciprocity, that which keeps things in balance.  This is why it's so important for people to be compensated for their work.  If someone needs advice they will seek it out and make an offering in exchange.  There is no need to force anything.  

So, even if you are naturally skilled, I do suggest finding an ethical teacher or healing tradition to consult, especially if you feel called to be of service, to be a healer, or to be in any position of leadership.  Our society has forgotten and suppressed these skills, and offers very little to us as education on these matters.  This is why so many Westerners are turning to indigenous wisdom keepers.  That path can be a rabbit hole and is it's own topic.  There are certainly a lot of skilled energy workers and healers who do offer workshops and classes.  Get clear on what your path is, what is best for you, and choose a teacher wisely.  Many teachers have authority issues or still carry distorted energies relating to power, reputation, and money.  Find a humble person, and always trust yourself.  Ask questions.  Be aware of red flags, but trust that the path you seek will be presented to you in synchronicity and with blessings.  Always consult your guts and your sacrum.  Even if your path should lead to some unsavory experiences for you (I dealt with sexual assault and the loss of some of my mentors within a certain lineage for example), the experiences may lead you into a much deeper understanding of that which you are seeking.  We can't control how things will play out.  It is so important to remember that your path is yours, and that you do not need to have a cult-like connection to your teachers, or an unwavering loyalty or obedience, or to shell out thousands of dollars.  You can be on your own path without sacrificing your autonomy, and without having your teachings and training define who you are.  They are simply tools that can be used to empower the heart, or the ego.  The choice is up to you.    

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For a long time I've wondered, "why are there kinks?" Why do people like sex that employs uneven power dynamics?  What's the deal with dom/sub stuff, BDSM, and this thing that I've recently acknowledged has kept me in a state of repression for the shame of it?  I'm into sovereignty so how could I have a repressed kink about not-sovereignty?  The idea of being owned, punished, etc. has been so shameful to me that I've had to deal with dreams of tigers full of milk, stalking me, dreams of velociraptors asleep in my bed.  How scary.  After all, I've spent my life trying to figure out how to be free, how to not be dominated, to not be controlled by another human being, entity, or system of oppression in general.  To me these kinks seemed as bad as having to pay the government to kill people.  Why is my shadow so persistent about it!  Just let me enjoy vanilla and keep my dignity!  

Well after acknowledging it as real for me, I started researching the BDSM community and practices, and how people have used it for healing, specifically.  (I'm certainly not about to start up a new addiction).  Many abuse and assault survivors, often those who suffered horribly as children even, have come to the BDSM world to work out their kinks.  It seems to work when the emphasis within the community and within the relationship is on strict communication guidelines, negotiations, and trust.  Expressing ones needs explicitly, and exploring the boundaries of pain in a controlled environment with someone you trust can heal major wounds.  Why?  

The masculine/feminine dynamic is interesting.  There is a strong aspect of the feminine that wants to trust.  She wants to surrender herself completely within the safety and security of an unwavering masculine protection.  The masculine in high form is confident enough to be 100% accountable for his actions.  He is trustworthy.  He is safe.  He is accountable.  And a proper dom will be accountable and in control of his actions, to give to the sub whatever they desire, while the sub's power is in having complete control over the situation.  They express what they want, what their boundaries are, and what their safe word will be should they choose to stop the interaction.  The dom cannot fulfill this role without being a rock solid person, right?  They are essentially givers, while the sub receives.  But still, why does anyone want to be punished in role-play?  

My conclusion about it is this:  humans have a tendency to want to shirk responsibility sometimes.  We project our blame and shame onto other people when we aren't self-aware.  And when we are children, if we didn't have caretakers who were always responsible for us in the ways we needed, before our limbic system was attached to the frontal lobes, something there, a little kink forms.  Why might I want someone to punish me?  Because I haven't taken proper care of myself and I want someone else to hold me accountable for myself by punishing me.  It means someone else is there to take care of me so I don't have to.  The dom needs to be in full accountability because that is what the sub needs.  This does exemplify a lack of self-love, which is a lack of self-accountability.  Accountability is why we put expectations on others or boundaries around ourselves.  The expectations and boundaries (or lack thereof) always reflect our level of inner accountability and inner love for ourselves.  Sexuality is the perfect vehicle for exploring these unhealed aspects, isn't it? 

Essentially my point is that in craving punishment, we are asking someone else to show us what it means to be accountable for loving ourselves.  It came to me while I was screaming in a car with the windows rolled up. 

I had recently had a marriage for my inner masculine and my inner feminine.  I realized I had never connected with my inner masculine.  Not ever.  He was divorced from me.  When I went to unite these parts of myself, I found that he was always there, perfect, devoted, amazing.  He was truly fulfilling to my inner feminine, who had been so angry about his betrayal, which wasn't real.  Anyway, I thought I would understand more about my sexuality after this union.  And that I would be a better parent to my inner children as well.  I still had kinks though, and I still don't necessarily trust another mortal enough to go down that road at this point.  A friend of mine suggested I find my inner dom, and explore it on my own.  So I'm screaming in a car, getting rid of some poison that was projected onto me as shame and resentment which wasn't mine.  Primal scream therapy is still one of my favorite methods of release.  So I'm accessing all this pain and screaming it out, and it's tiring, and out of nowhere this inner dom came into my consciousness.  It's associated with the pain I was releasing, because the reason I had gotten involved with that pain in the first place was that I was not being accountable to myself.  I didn't have proper boundaries or trust structures, I didn't find what I was looking for in another person.  I found the opposite.  Again.  And here now I wanted to be punished for it.  WHACK!  "Now do you know your worth?"  WHAM!  "Now do you know what you deserve?"
                     
                       Yes.  Yes I do.      

    

  

There doesn't seem to be a lot of consensus on what empaths are, or what the various types of empaths are.  Spiritually it may refer to people who display clairaudience, clairsentience, etc.  There is no board of directors for empaths no strict code of requirements.  We simply know we are different, we are sensitive, and we care.  I personally do not agree that all empaths feel the emotions of others, and in my opinion it is just a common specialty trait.  The traits I list below may well be interchangeable, and are not limited to empaths.  Which traits do you or the empaths in your life have?  

The Super Empath - This label has been used to describe an empath who also has narcissistic traits, though in far lesser degrees comparative to their empathic traits.  These folks have a strong ability to tone down their empathy to fight, challenge, create boundaries, express anger, etc.  For this they may be seen as having an activated warrior archetype.  Narcissists may find them an interesting challenge.  They are more likely than lower-functioning empaths or codependents to recognize narcissism, and to therefore leave a toxic relationship. 

Truth Seeker - This is an archetype who has a strong devotion to objective truth.  This is symbolized by the sword bearer, or light-bearer.  The blade of truth can cut through facades and masks, it may wound, and it may also cut the chains of oppression.  A truth seeker may stay in a toxic relationship until they know the full truth, even if they are driven to near obsession.  They will gather evidence, test their theories, and relentlessly explore new territories in the service of truth and transparency, even under great duress, or to the point of neurosis.  Truth seekers may also be motivated to use their findings and conclusions to expose others.  Perhaps the Truth Seekers are also the Super Empaths, as warriors may also carry the sword of truth.  This is the energy that brings the darkness to light.

Emotional Intuitives - these are the empaths with the classic trait of feeling what other people are feeling emotionally.  If you ask them how you feel, they will often be able to articulate your feelings with greater ease and accuracy than you yourself could.  They may feel uncomfortable in many situations because of this trait, and will potentially have a harder time attaching to others because of their need to protect themselves from being constantly drained.  These empaths are said to have thin skin, and they are often very concerned about how to create energetic walls of protection around themselves.  They may have a very hard time with cities, busy lifestyles, or chaotic energy.

Nature-Based - These are the people who feel deep connections to the mineral, vegetable, or animal kingdoms.  Some people can feel the energies of minerals for example to such a degree that they may be uncomfortable around these energies at times, as if they cannot find privacy when certain minerals are in the room.  Perhaps the energies are too strong or imposing for certain activities.  They may place them face down for respite, or keep them outside.  Another example was the plant empath Dr. Edward Bach.  He was so sensitive to the energies of plants and flowers that he developed a series of essences and knew the specific emotional patterns that each could harmonize and heal.  He eventually died from his sensitivities, by taking on the illnesses of his clients.  An animal empath may intuit the pains and physical pressures of animals, or may be able to naturally communicate telepathically with them. 

Innocent Empaths - I'm inventing this phrase to describe empaths who connect to children.  They relate to children naturally, can more readily protect them from disparent energies, and can enjoy all the nuances and joy of play.  These are the people children are always drawn to, sitting in their laps and asking for a playtime.    

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Here's an outline of the basics of the empath/narcissist dynamic, and hopefully it will add to your current perspective and help you process your experiences within the dynamic.
  
Everyone has narcissistic traits, so they say, and they exist on a spectrum. What is perhaps less discussed, is that empaths also exist on a spectrum, and it can be viewed as an extension of the narcissistic spectrum.  Everyone is somewhere on the continuum, with 'normal' people in the middle or neutral position. ​                               

​A person is not considered a true narcissist (Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM), unless they exhibit the qualities on the far right of the spectrum, and are diagnosed by a psychiatric professional.  For those of us who have dealt with a narcissist however, we can often draw our own conclusions about why our loved one or coworker is abusive to us.  If you are unsure, please look into researching the Dark Triad and/or Cluster B personality disorders, and see if you think your situation relates. 

Here is what I've learned so far about the traits as they fit into the spectrum.  I'll start with the high-functioning empath, and work my way to the high-level narcissist:

High-functioning empaths could be considered the true altruists (givers) of this world.  Their distinguishing feature is that they know their inherent worth as divine beings, and they have a high sense of self-love (not to be confused with selfishness or self-importance).  They give because they know it is their birthright to share their unconditional love with the world, to spread what overflows from their hearts and the the joy of the soul.  This is Joie de Vivre, innocent, as a child who picks wildflowers for his mother.  High-functioning empaths do not seek recognition, accolades, or anything in return, not even subconsciously.  They also have the quality of a spiritual life, with purpose and meaning.  They are not cynics, and their giving does not define their worth. One does not have to be a saint to be a high-functioning empath, they must simply have an unwavering sense of self-love, and thus are able to ask for their own needs to be met, without shame.  They know they are worthy.   

Mid-level empaths are also givers, they may volunteer often, give to the poor, pick up hitchikers, etc.  They do a good job.  They may also follow a spiritual path, or they may not.  There is however a pattern stemming from an unconscious motivation which underlies the giving.  Mid-levels may identify as givers, caring people, nurturers, and healers.  They may believe these acts define and exemplify their worth.  They may believe that they can fix or heal others.  They are often highly motivated to do so, and may even overstep the boundaries of other people for this reason.  They may think they know best, may give unsolicited advice, and may meddle in the affairs of others because they truly do want to help.  (Does this sound like anyone's mom?).  The reason these empaths are not considered high-functioning has to do with the emotion of pride, and the emotion this pride masks, which is shame.  Pride says "I can fix this for someone else, I can heal them with my love, I can right the wrongs of the world."  It is a noble enough thought, but it belies a hidden and unconscious shame, which is where the lack of inherent self-worth comes in.  There is a touch of unfulfilled self-love.  It says, "I do not think my needs are worthy, because I am not worthy, and I can therefore not ask for my needs to be met.  I am ashamed of my needs.  If I give, others will see my worth, and they will give to me in return so that my needs can also be met."  What happens when the recipient of this giving does not meet the unspoken needs of the giver?  Displaced anger and resentment.  Edit: It has recently been brought to my awareness by a friend that giving where it is not asked for or welcome is actually a matter that violates consent.  It is contrary to creating a strong consent culture.  Thoughts? 

Low-functioning empaths lack self-love and self-worth.  Of course their ego may tell them they love themselves, but their actions and behaviors do not convey that.  A major symptom of self-love deficiency is extreme codependency.  Often this codependency comes with sex or relationship addictions, and/or drug and alcohol abuse.  They are most likely to be involved in abusive relationships or sketchy sexual interactions.  They are incredibly self-sacrificing, and may have even been religiously or culturally programmed to submit to man and god unwaveringly. They also exhibit a great deal of pride in their belief that staying with an abusive partner, self-sacrificing, or martyring themselves will heal their partners and secure their redemption in paradise.  They may believe they are doing God's work.  But as mentioned before, this pride masks a great amount of shame, maybe even (subconscious) self-hatred.  They will give without return until they simply shut-down.  They often end up hospitalized if they are being drained endlessly as a primary source by a narcissist or abusive partner, and they may lack the will or desire to live.  Low-functioning empaths are quintessential and die-hard enablers.

Neutral/'normal' people have equal amounts of empathic and narcissistic traits.  They are not likely to become involved with narcissists, as neither themselves nor the narcissist will have much interest.  These people probably have decent boundaries and trust structures within their personalities.  

Low-level narcissists, as all narcissists, lack empathy and the ability to take authentic accountability for their own actions.  They act instinctively from a 'dark place,' or 'dark presence,' and generally have lower cognitive function than their mid and high level narc counterparts.  They are most likely to react with brute force and violence than a more subtle manipulation tactic.  They are essentially wife-beaters.  

Mid-level narcissists are a bit more cunning.  They may have high cognitive function, be intelligent, and highly skilled in their manipulation and abuse tactics.  They also may act from a 'dark inner presence,' as they cannot take genuine accountability, yet they are not self-aware.  They do not realize what they are doing, and while they may scheme and plot, they do not do so with full intention.  Their disordered personality acts instinctively, which is how they have honed such sophisticated abuse tactics.  It's simply what they have done throughout their lives, and it's all they know.  They have no desire to change and thus will not change.  They may resort to violence in many cases, but often covert tactics are employed first.

High-level narcissists are self-aware.  As such they may be highly intelligent, and highly capable of conscious manipulation.  They may take great enjoyment from watching other people suffer, and also feeding their incessant need for power as a result of this awareness.

Narcissists use others as appliances to draw fuel from.  They grossly objectify other human beings, and will even use their own children as pawns for triangulation.  They may use gaslighting, blame shifting, physical violence, love-bombing, seduction tactics, romance, and other means of emotionally hooking others into their harem.  They will always seek to serve themselves, and any seemingly contrary action is only employed to get something they want.  They sit on gunpowder. and are potentially very dangerous if their facade or fuel sources are threatened. 

Information here is taken from numerous personal experiences, information from survivors, and the work of various professionals including Abdul H. Saad, a clinician with Vital Mind Psychology, and psychotherapist and author Ross Rosenberg, who developed a theory of self-orientation I find to be very useful.