I've noticed ever since Spirituality has been a part of my life, I've become more sensitive. It's been about 4yrs now. From what I've understood about empaths, I think I'm one based on how I know myself to be. I've always been sensitive; but Spirituality has heightened my sensitivity to the point where whenever I encounter someone who is suffering, I find it bothers me immensely and I can feel what they're feeling. Not sensitive to the point of being emotional and out of control where I cannot control my emotions; but feeling the mental strain of the other person and wanting to do something about it while feeling helpless. Even when I'm aware it's just their mental construct that's causing their suffering and it's not real, it still bothers me that they have to go through that experience. My own suffering has diminished immensely within the last few years because I've understood more about how the mind works and learning to spot how I'm creating my own suffering has made me more aware of how to control my thinking patterns.  It could be just reading someone's post online about the suffering they're experiencing that can cause me to become sad. It's not that's it controlling my life or anything like that, but I would like to be able to get to a point where, without being less compassionate, I can observe the suffering of others without letting it bother me to the point of sometimes crying and saying to myself "why does life have to be this way". My understanding is that suffering is a part of God's plan to awaken itself, but that still doesn't make me feel any better. If I go to the mental health section of this forum to read posts, I have to click off quickly because I start to absorb the energy there and feel what they're feeling and unable to even finish reading any posts that are particularly sad to read. I cannot even watch those abused animals and starving children commercials on TV anymore. This only lasts for a few moments interim but it's painful to watch, nonetheless.  Empaths have this to deal with this normally, but it has gotten worse after the introduction to Spirituality, and I'm aware I have to learn more about protecting my energy because it can get draining if undealt with. Any suggestions on how to process this. Sometimes I even wonder if it's some unprocessed trauma within me that I'm unaware of that's causing this; but I'm not aware of anything that has traumatized me nor am I going through any major traumatic events of my own, just the normal bullshit that most people go through in life which I'm learning to deal with. It's not a major set -back; but I would still like to hear from anyone knowledgeable enough to guide me on how to deal with this issue.