A few weeks ago our Empath Support Community had some fun with Empath Self-Care Bingo. We tried about 20+ different self-care activities with the idea that at least one activity would resonate with us.

Have you ever wondered how many types of meditation are out there?

I've practiced meditation with mala beads, mantra meditation, silent meditation, chanting, and the list goes on.

 I've rediscovered one of my favorite meditations. Walking Meditation. 

Just like any type of meditation, walking meditation can be incredibly rewarding. When you practice walking meditation, you're connecting with your body and the earth at the same time.

Here are a couple of key points and ideas for your walking meditation...
You can count how many steps are you taking with each breath.
Walk and breathe in such a way that you can connect with your body deeply.
Connecting with your breath, the planet, keeping it as simple as possible.
Remember - this isn't a power walk. You're not trying to get from “point A to point B” type of activity.
Walking meditation shouldn't be work. It's nice and pleasant, especially in the early morning when the air is still very fresh.
Take notice of your...

Looking for a great way to shield yourself in intense energy situations? Even Energy Vampires? 

Have you heard of a shielding visualization? 

Shielding is a quick way to protect yourself. Many empaths and sensitive people rely on it to block out toxic energy while allowing the free flow of positivity. 

Use this technique on a regular basis. The minute you’re uncomfortable with a person, place, or situation, put up your shield. Use it in traffic, at work, a crowded restaurant, at a party if you’re talking to an energy vampire, or in a packed doctor’s waiting room. 

This technique is useful in any situation.

1. Begin by taking a few, deep, long breaths.
2. Visualize a beautiful shield of white or pink light completely surrounding your body and extending a few inches (or feet) beyond it. This shield protects you from anything negative, stressful, toxic, or intrusive. 
3. Within the protection of this shield, feel centered, happy, and...

THE DAILY PAGES writing exercise has been instrumental in helping me see the good throughout each day. 

The activity of writing is a big part of becoming an empowered empath. 

In the morning: 

• List 3 things I'm grateful for (find different things each day). After doing this for quite a while, you'll start noticing you're grateful for the smallest things and situations in life.
• List 3 things that would make today great. Again, this is a lot of fun when you can change it up daily.
• 3 positive affirmations to use throughout the day. Something different.

In the evening:

• List 3 amazing things that happened today. Even if you had the worst day, you can find 3 things.

Using mala beads as a part of your daily meditation is a lovely compliment to your practice.

Meditating with mala beads is a great way to anchor yourself in the present moment. 

I usually have them somewhere on my body - as a bracelet, necklace, sometimes I wear ALL of my mala beads. I use these as reminders that I can always stop and take a deep breath, and find the stillness and silence that rests within. 

Rolling the beads through your fingers is a physical way to direct your energy and attention. It’s a gentle reminder every few seconds to reground and refocus.
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How do I use them for meditation? I use the beads as a replacement for an electronic timer. Depending on the mantra I'm using, it generally takes around 13-18 minutes to go through one round of mala beads. I often only use the breath while meditating and move to the next bead on each exhale. 

The only thing I need to concentrate on is my breath. My mind is anchored on the breath or the mantra. 

...

Empaths experience our share of fatigue.

Fatigue is the first sign of overwhelm and overwhelm leads to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue, and sensory overload. 

But, we keep on working. We all have todo lists, priorities, projects, and commitments. We keep working, thinking that we can dig ourselves out of this chaos by more work. 

Why do we do this? 

Society says, “tough it out”. Society rewards this behavior. 

We celebrate overachievers who ignore their body signals. 

This is incredibly harmful to HSP and Empaths. 

We need ample downtime, quiet, and rest to thrive. 

CONSIDER THIS: 

Fatigue is your voice of wisdom. It’s your body and your energy level telling you something. This is called listening to your body! 

Take one compassionate action (baby step) for yourself. 

• Electronics OFF for 15 minutes 
• Meditate - this will help you get quality sleep
• This...

Do you have a green thumb?

You might be an Earth Empath!

I've always loved plants. When I was little, I'd spend time with my Mema. She had a small back yard but had space where she would grow corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, and squash. She always had a plant or two that she was excited about. Those were some of the best memories. Now that I look back, she was probably an Earth Empath, too.

Earth empaths are deeply connected with the planet and its natural powers. We connect with seasons, weather, plants, trees, ocean tides, and can sense the earth's changes in the weather. We feel grounded in nature and can feel the energy of some of the shifts that happen.

As an Earth Empath, there’s something so wonderful about knowing how to make things grow. I've been known to randomly throw out seeds in the flower bed, bury an avocado seed (or two), just to see what would happen. Well, guess what? I have 2 very strong baby avocado trees growing on my back porch. A few years ago, my husband...

Emotional empaths have the ability to physically feel the emotions of other people. 

It may seem as if the emotions of others are contagious for emotional empaths. 

What’s going on here? 

This can be related to the mirror neuron system. Researchers found that a specific group of brain cells may be responsible for the ability to show and feel compassion. Emotional empaths appear to have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, which allows them to deeply understand and resonate with other people's feelings and emotions.

Do you deeply feel the emotions of others?

Congratulations, EMPATHS!! You have a strong set of mirror neurons!

This is your SUPERPOWER!

When you're first discovering that you're an empath, it can be a little exciting, a little scary, and a bit intimidating.

You'll probably go down the rabbit hole researching (like I did).

What I've found is that the information is there, but we sometimes don't understand how to use our gifts or balance all of this information with responsibility. I've seen everything from breaking out of old patterns to using the information of being an empath as a license to drop further into victimhood and isolation.

1. If you have questions about what to do with all of this info, I have a few tips for you.
2. Start with a meditation practice. Meditation is the #1 best tool for empaths. Trust me on this.
3. Find a grounding practice. Many empaths are earth empaths so getting outside for a nice walk will help you stay grounded.
4. Journal. Journal about conflict, decision making, coincidences, and intuitive hits. You can find a lot of answers when you get still and start writing.
5. Explore other healing and...

Have you ever used a mantra while meditating?

It’s such a great experience. But, a lot of people don’t really understand what mantra meditation is all about.

Well, I’d love to make it real simple for ya, tell you a little story, and let you decide for yourself. Mantra really just means mind-vehicle. 

What does the mantra do? 

The sound (the mantra) becomes the vehicle that allows us to experience oneness. 

It concentrates all the stuff that already exists within you and mantras are a great way of finding that stillness and silence.

Do I personally use a mantra while meditation? I sure do!  I have a personal mantra that I use on a daily basis. I also have the privilege of giving mantras to my students based on the name of the light from the star that the moon saw when they were born. It’s almost magical. 

If you’re still doubting whether you should use a mantra during meditation, this might change your mind. In Paths to God,...