Contents List of Exercises xi Everyday Empathic Techniques xiii Introduction 1 Exercise: A Public Empathic Experiment 5 Chapter One: What Is Empathy, Anyway? 9 Social Aspects of Empathy 10 Empathic Brain, Empathic Mind 21 Metaphysically Speaking 25 Exercise: Sitting with the Shadow 29 Chapter Two: Empathic Energy & Social Skills 35 The Ins and Outs of Emotional Energy 35 Everyday Interactions 41 Communication Skills 46 Exercise: Absorptive and Projective Empathy 52 Chapter Three: Protection & Discretion 57 Mine vs. Yours 57 Shielding and Visualization 64 Navigating Adversity 74 Exercise: Self-Limitation Cord Cutting 81 Chapter Four: An Empath's Natural Cycles & Rhythms 87 Daily Energy Shifts 88 Planetary and Astrological Cycles 94 Exercise: Morning and Evening Rituals for Empaths 104 Chapter Five: Empathic Self-Care 109 Receiving Care 110 Empathic Sleep, Exercise, and Diet 114 Working with Anxiety and Depression 120 Exercise: Overloaded: A Bathtime Cleansing 126 Chapter Six: Empathic Expression 131 Spiritual Art 132 Creative Self-Image and Inspiration 134 Exercise: An Empathic Journey into Art 139 Chapter Seven: Spiritualizing Your Empathy 147 Daily Prayer and Meditation 148 The Healing Power of Nature 157 Exercise: An Empath's Charm Bag 165 Chapter Eight: Live to Serve 169 Sharing Our Gifts 170 Methods of Service 174 Exercise: Think Global, Act Local 179 Conclusion 183 About Opus Aima Obscuræ 195 Exercise: Action for Animals 185 Further Reading 191.