Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude I have for you Jeff. This is a subject I have wanted to see put out there for decades, and not in the usual negative ways I grew up with and experienced through my lifetime. Neurodiversity is real, it’s not a disease or mental disorder to be fixed, it is just another way of being human. I have Sensory Processing Sensitivity. I was born this way. Many, some well meaning, and not so well meaning people, have said I am not acceptable and need to be fixed. I tried to conform. It just caused more suffering, and physical illness. When Elaine Aron, a psychologist, came out with her book, “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You “, over 20 year ago, it was groundbreaking. For me it was a new beginning to learn that I am not flawed. I am an HSP, I am SPS, and not to get to woo woo for anyone, I am empathic. These are separate traits not diseases, syndromes or mental disorders, with overlapping features It doesn’t mean a mental issue cannot co-exist. I have severe anxiety/panic disorder. Some of my friends have different types of depression.
I am trained as a clinical hypnotherapist, and an energy healer.
I have tried every psychotherapy out there, but not many therapists have any understanding of neurodiversity, at least not until the last 10 years or so, when more information, more research was done. While there is more out there and more openness, I still find in general society, it’s very challenging. I am fortunate to have a few close friends and a great husband, who are accepting and understanding of my unique way of being in this world.
If anyone is interested in the difference between empathy and being an empath, Dr. Judith Orloff, MD , a psychiatrist is said to be one of leaders in this area. Basically empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others. Being empathic means you not only understand the feelings of others and your heart goes out to them, but you feel the feelings of others on a much deeper and wider level, to the point of absorbing the feelings of others as if they were your own. Empathic people are often very intuitive. Sensory Processing Sensitivity is “ A personal disposition to subtle stimuli and being easily over-aroused by external stimuli.” There are differing opinions about SPS is part of the autism spectrum or if it exists on its own. There are many books on the subject.
I continue my journey and hope to find a way that is compatible with my own challenges, to help others, and just our society in general. For the good of all beings.
Thank you Jeff, for courageously sharing so much of yourself with us. It’s given me the courage to start to find my own voice without shame, or apology.
In loving awareness of all beings, and diversity.💖
Love this Laura. I too am an empath; it's been a long hard road figuring out what is mine and what is other people, especially when the dominant culture doesn't believe in the challenge! But things are changing ...
I’m am happy to find fellow empaths who show me it is possible to facilitate positive change. Who are out there without apology. Yes, the culture is changing. Through listening to you on Calm and now in this platform, I realize I need to let go of fear of being judged or bullied, because I want to be part of positive change. It’s a balancing act on a high wire to find the sweet spot of self care and being out in the world. I don’t watch news, or much TV, I am finally learning how to not be a doormat, people pleaser, and to set really healthy boundaries especially around cruelty, projected negativity, and my own guilt for needing more solitary time to recharge my batteries and process emotions. More often than not I’m still challenged with incoming feelings and sorting through what’s mine and what’s other people’s feelings. Empaths can spot an untruthful person in a millisecond. We pick up anger, sadness, grief, joy, happiness, love, rage, by just walking in a room full of people. It can be and is draining. More often than not I can feel when something horrific is happening on the other side of the planet, without anyone telling me. I’d be lying if I said I have a solid handle on all of this, or all or even any answers. I just want to find a way to help others because it’s a calling that feels right. Empaths have been called the canaries in the coal mines. We feel it first. My dream is to write a book, but more in story form to reach people who are empaths and people in general to help build a bridge that lasts. I have a fear around this. Not good enough to be a writer, my vision is not great, so I have more errors in spelling, grammar, etc. I proofread, only to be mortified when I look again after hitting send and find errors. My excuses, are becoming very thin, even to me, as I go deeper within. I’ve heard this is a blessing and a curse, but it’s really a gift. Most days. Thank you for hearing me.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman suggested that emotional EQ might actually be more important than IQ. Something to think about…
I see colours a weird line to open with let me clarify when I meditate I always close my eyes and when I'm really immersed in my practice I see colours I've seen a lot of the neutrals in the beginning of my journey with Meditation in 2017 so black 🖤 and white 🤍 then I saw vivid colours like green 💚 and 💙 when it wasn't going well I'd literally see ♥️ but mostly I see purple 💜 maybe the bi polar in me, but today for the first time I saw yellow 💛 not sure what this all means a veracious imagination or just unapologetically Me thanks Jeff finally made your Do Nothing Podcast but was late day light savings here in New South Wales Australia 🦘 is hard to navigate sometimes anyway will try again next Monday 🙃
thanks Jeff, fantastic to see you doing some mindfulness for all the hero people out there this really hits the spot for me and I’m hoping it hits the spot for my neurodiverse son as well. Thanks. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Jeff. This was fantastic. The swinging was new to me and very refreshing. And it felt like I concentrated better. Something new to explore. I love it.
Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude I have for you Jeff. This is a subject I have wanted to see put out there for decades, and not in the usual negative ways I grew up with and experienced through my lifetime. Neurodiversity is real, it’s not a disease or mental disorder to be fixed, it is just another way of being human. I have Sensory Processing Sensitivity. I was born this way. Many, some well meaning, and not so well meaning people, have said I am not acceptable and need to be fixed. I tried to conform. It just caused more suffering, and physical illness. When Elaine Aron, a psychologist, came out with her book, “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You “, over 20 year ago, it was groundbreaking. For me it was a new beginning to learn that I am not flawed. I am an HSP, I am SPS, and not to get to woo woo for anyone, I am empathic. These are separate traits not diseases, syndromes or mental disorders, with overlapping features It doesn’t mean a mental issue cannot co-exist. I have severe anxiety/panic disorder. Some of my friends have different types of depression.
I am trained as a clinical hypnotherapist, and an energy healer.
I have tried every psychotherapy out there, but not many therapists have any understanding of neurodiversity, at least not until the last 10 years or so, when more information, more research was done. While there is more out there and more openness, I still find in general society, it’s very challenging. I am fortunate to have a few close friends and a great husband, who are accepting and understanding of my unique way of being in this world.
If anyone is interested in the difference between empathy and being an empath, Dr. Judith Orloff, MD , a psychiatrist is said to be one of leaders in this area. Basically empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others. Being empathic means you not only understand the feelings of others and your heart goes out to them, but you feel the feelings of others on a much deeper and wider level, to the point of absorbing the feelings of others as if they were your own. Empathic people are often very intuitive. Sensory Processing Sensitivity is “ A personal disposition to subtle stimuli and being easily over-aroused by external stimuli.” There are differing opinions about SPS is part of the autism spectrum or if it exists on its own. There are many books on the subject.
I continue my journey and hope to find a way that is compatible with my own challenges, to help others, and just our society in general. For the good of all beings.
Thank you Jeff, for courageously sharing so much of yourself with us. It’s given me the courage to start to find my own voice without shame, or apology.
In loving awareness of all beings, and diversity.💖
Love this Laura. I too am an empath; it's been a long hard road figuring out what is mine and what is other people, especially when the dominant culture doesn't believe in the challenge! But things are changing ...
I’m am happy to find fellow empaths who show me it is possible to facilitate positive change. Who are out there without apology. Yes, the culture is changing. Through listening to you on Calm and now in this platform, I realize I need to let go of fear of being judged or bullied, because I want to be part of positive change. It’s a balancing act on a high wire to find the sweet spot of self care and being out in the world. I don’t watch news, or much TV, I am finally learning how to not be a doormat, people pleaser, and to set really healthy boundaries especially around cruelty, projected negativity, and my own guilt for needing more solitary time to recharge my batteries and process emotions. More often than not I’m still challenged with incoming feelings and sorting through what’s mine and what’s other people’s feelings. Empaths can spot an untruthful person in a millisecond. We pick up anger, sadness, grief, joy, happiness, love, rage, by just walking in a room full of people. It can be and is draining. More often than not I can feel when something horrific is happening on the other side of the planet, without anyone telling me. I’d be lying if I said I have a solid handle on all of this, or all or even any answers. I just want to find a way to help others because it’s a calling that feels right. Empaths have been called the canaries in the coal mines. We feel it first. My dream is to write a book, but more in story form to reach people who are empaths and people in general to help build a bridge that lasts. I have a fear around this. Not good enough to be a writer, my vision is not great, so I have more errors in spelling, grammar, etc. I proofread, only to be mortified when I look again after hitting send and find errors. My excuses, are becoming very thin, even to me, as I go deeper within. I’ve heard this is a blessing and a curse, but it’s really a gift. Most days. Thank you for hearing me.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman suggested that emotional EQ might actually be more important than IQ. Something to think about…
I see colours a weird line to open with let me clarify when I meditate I always close my eyes and when I'm really immersed in my practice I see colours I've seen a lot of the neutrals in the beginning of my journey with Meditation in 2017 so black 🖤 and white 🤍 then I saw vivid colours like green 💚 and 💙 when it wasn't going well I'd literally see ♥️ but mostly I see purple 💜 maybe the bi polar in me, but today for the first time I saw yellow 💛 not sure what this all means a veracious imagination or just unapologetically Me thanks Jeff finally made your Do Nothing Podcast but was late day light savings here in New South Wales Australia 🦘 is hard to navigate sometimes anyway will try again next Monday 🙃
beautiful Leanne, so fascinating, a kind of emo-synesthesia ...
thanks Jeff, fantastic to see you doing some mindfulness for all the hero people out there this really hits the spot for me and I’m hoping it hits the spot for my neurodiverse son as well. Thanks. Keep up the great work!
I have a sense that you understand all of the "me" ego's now.
R U (ditto) the one we are looking for?
I still work if I can trust my feelings ...
That are still feeling like dark ones. To this day.
The "mind trick" recordings that are graciously made, are, basically, the reverse of an older , green skinned, neurotypical peer of yours.
.. "THERE IS NO DO, THERE IS JUST TRYING !"
At this, I will reflect!
Because I felt I will never qualify into the ranks ( btw, I don't, those are not my people, and I am not theirs.
Jar Jar Binks was waaay more relatable ( despite the corny animation).
Thank you ... again... aaaand again ...
May the unctuous Schwartz (on St Laurent) be with you !
( Note: If you're dauntless in meeting a fallen to the dark side one, at the said Force joint , it will be on me ! My belly testifies on that.)
Thank you Jeff. This was fantastic. The swinging was new to me and very refreshing. And it felt like I concentrated better. Something new to explore. I love it.