“Empathy is an interesting word, often mistaken for something quite different- unhealthy boundaries, not knowing where we end and the other begins. I think of how often I remained connected to hurtful people (and others to me, when I was hurtful) because I imagined myself empathic. And maybe I was- but that didn’t have to mean that I endured their madness. Our empathic capacity can be as misdirected as any other ability. Just because you can feel where someone is coming from, doesn’t mean that you have to put yourself at risk. When we allow ‘empathy’ to keep us invested in that which brings us suffering, when we confuse it with a boundaryless way of being, it becomes just another word for misplaced faith and self-hatred. It is empathy run amok. It abuses your gift. Better to not turn your compassionate nature against yourself. Empathize with humanity, but shield yourself from harm.”

– JEFF BROWN