I have found out that I am an Empath. I have posted on other threads, and have gotten some great advice. Can anyone help me as to understanding my abilities, and how I can use them etc? Your help is appreciated

I am not the one to tell u how to use or understand ur powers. But I have been reaserching Empaths or Psis ,and would be interested in any information that u could spare about how u came to know u where an empath if u dont mind my e-mail is monkeyman75901@aol.com Thank you and safe travels

Be very careful because I'm one and it floods me and causes a lot of pain. Arguably it is a function of my particular brand of mental illness but everything is perception. If I had the choice I would not be as I am.

Being an empath is very useful in terms of bonding with people - it is like having a map of the human heart, but the risk is you can become manipulative and it can backfire when you create closeness where it isn't wanted or needed. You get 'hangers on' instead of true friends, and at it's very worst it can become psychotic in it's intensity - a side effect of empathy i have found is the loss of identity in relationships where I am so attuned to the person I'm with that my own identity becomes absorbed in theirs.

You would think that we are very useful in the caring professions but it is not always so: we are hurt by things that would not hurt other people. An Empath who can attain a degree of mental toughness is a happier one.

That's my experience anyway.

what exactally is an empath

Interpretations vary, but the most popular one is that an empath is able to feel what other people are feeling to a great extent.

That is pretty much how I feel. I have researched this quite a bit, and I meditate, and I try to control "Absorbing" or feeling other people's emotions. I have to say I am doing this very well. I also have mental illness, which I belive is not an illness, but my gift with a scientific name. now the one thing I noticed that I have the ability to do that you didn't mention, is I can Spiritually sense things, I can meet someone and tell wether they are a good or bad person, I can feel what they are feeling, I can "see into their soul" so to speak. I want to use this ability for good of course, but I still need to learn more. (a lot more) Is there anything else I should know? I apprecaite the help.

I used to think that I could see into people's true natures but some people are just as adept with such things and can mask their true self. Be warned, nothing is infallible. Although instinct is important, even instinct can let you down from time to time.

No real effort is needed to develop your abilities - just keep on doing what you're doing. If you are a natural empath certain things come of themselves - that is what I have found anyway.

I'm a very bitter empath because as I have said, it has not brought me much joy.

i'm only using my empathy in convrsations that involve persuading...and i must say i absolutely love so called "verbal duels" one reason is that i never lose...sorry for not being modest...but i love to use arguments and to manipulate others
another useful skill is awareness..also related to empathy...it just involves being aware of certain things..i use this skill when "decoding" body language...or when trying to find out certain things about a person or a place or whatever...
in my opinion empathy is by far the greatest ability i have..i was an empath pefore i became a vampire so i have some experience now...what can i say...if you know how to use your empathy you will find it very useful...good luck...