Healing for Empaths & Highly Sensitive Persons

11/24/2025

Sometimes a single sentence from a teacher lands so strangely that it sticks with you for years.

That happened to me in an acting class in NYC—yes, I took a few classes purely to get over stage fright—when my teacher looked at me and said:

“You’ve got to kill your parents, Dave.”

I remember blinking, unsure I’d heard correctly.

“Not literally, of course,” he clarified. “I mean the beliefs you absorbed from them. They’re still in your system. They’re running your life and keeping you small.”

Odd as it sounded, he was right.

Many years later, I could clearly see how much of their belief systems—and even their energetic patterns—had shaped parts of my identity, covered up pieces of my authentic self, and even influenced my habits and symptoms.

In a way, that realization informed my work decades later: helping clients protect themselves from incoming energy and return what isn’t theirs to its rightful owner. Who knew something so obscure—yet strangely logical—could help thousands of people better navigate their health and relationships, both familial and otherwise?

I bring this up now as we approach Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season, because many of us will be spending time with family in the coming weeks. And as much as we love them, well… sometimes we don’t want to be around them longer than we have to.

Not all of us, of course. I enjoy spending time with my cousin, siblings, their kids, my in-laws, and their families. But my parents were challenging for my sensitive nervous system. I still love them, and I’ve even heard from them more than a few times since they’ve passed on.

For those of you connecting with family, make use of my YouTube video that explains The Keyhole Technique, demonstrated here: https://youtu.be/Ii7yNVM-Qy8

Many of you already know it, and some have yet to see the most advanced version—playfully called V2.1! And some of you know it well and have used it successfully, but may need a gentle nudge to practice it a bit more over the next few weeks.

While you’re there, please like and subscribe. And of course, if you know someone who could benefit from this life-altering technique, please share it with them.

And remember: if your intuition says so, it’s okay to say no to an invitation. It may not feel good, but sometimes self-preservation has to take precedence. It’s okay to take care of your needs.

Blessings,
Dave

Healing for Empaths & Highly Sensitive Persons

11/17/2025

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Make Something Up!

The intuitive nudge came: apply to teach your “Healing Neck & Back Pain” workshop at The Learning Annex—the biggest adult education facility in or near NYC.

Done.

Their application said they were inundated with proposals and to allow up to six months for a response. No problem.

So I waited.

And waited.

Six months passed. Nothing.

I sent another proposal.

Still nothing.

After another six months with no reply—not even a “Thanks but no thanks”—I was feeling a bit irked. Okay, I was angry. Knowing that anger, when processed, can be a powerful tool, I leaned into the feeling. What arose was “disrespect,” “not seen,” and “not heard.”

I wondered if perhaps Healing Neck and Back Pain wasn’t as needed as I had thought. Maybe I needed to be bolder—to own my intuitive gifts and use them in a different way. To be seen and heard doing what at that time would have been the weirdest use of my energy.

So I sent another proposal to The Learning Annex. This course was titled, “Your Deceased Relatives Want to Speak to You… Find Out What They’re Saying.”

I didn’t really want to be the medium guy. I’d always focused on healing work. But I knew something had to shift—maybe a little, maybe a lot.

Mediumship isn’t something I advertise, but occasionally a deceased relative or partner of a client shows up during a session And when they do, I’ve learned it’s best to listen.

For example, while working with “Julie” on the grief of losing her sister, I kept hearing James Taylor’s You’ve Got a Friend. At first, I assumed it was just an earworm, but it got louder. Finally, I asked Julie if the song meant anything to her.
She burst into tears.

“That was my sister’s song for me,” she said.

We were both verklempt.

After sending in that “Your Deceased Relatives Want to Speak to You… Find Out What They’re Saying.” proposal, I prepared myself to wait another six months, still hoping some kind of response would come for this new direction that could theoretically alter the course of my career.

The next day, I got a call—yes, an actual phone call—from the head of programming, asking me to come in and meet with her.

I was surprised… and a little, “Really? Mediumship? That’s what you, Source, want me to do with these gifts?”

I dreaded the thought of my parents asking what I was up to.

“Oh yeah, I speak to the dead. No big whoop,” I imagined saying as my arms were being guided into a straightjacket.

I met with the programming director the following day. After a few minutes of conversation, she said, “You know what? I believe you.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” I said.

“Dave, I get so many proposals from people who claim they can do this kind of work. A lot of them aren’t grounded. I couldn’t trust them to lead a class. But you—you’re different. Let’s look at the schedule.”

Cue the straightjacket visions again.

“Can you do this in September? Oh wait—I already have a medium in September. Let’s look at October… no, booked… November… also booked.”

Looking a bit frustrated, she turned to me and asked, “Do you teach anything else?”

“Well, I’ve been teaching a Healing Neck and Back Pain workshop, and—”

“Great, let’s get you in for September.”

I got what I wanted, over a year after the first intuitive nudge. And after, in a way, making something up.

I thought of this story today as I’m putting the finishing touches on the artwork for my upcoming book, Refuge for the Weary Empath: The Sacred Work of Healing Ourselves and Healing Our World. Its physical manifestation has been a whirlwind—full of twists, turns, and unexpected detours.

Can you relate?

Have you had goals you felt sure you could achieve, only to find delay after delay? Healing work you thought would be completed by now? Spiritual growth that seems continually blocked? Intuitive guidance that suddenly feels misaligned?

Sometimes we have to go bold.

Sometimes we have to wait.

Sometimes… both.

Can we surrender the mind’s idea of what should be happening, and when it should be happening? Can we trust that Source knows what we need and when we need it? That sometimes what looks like a blockage is actually an invitation—to go deeper, to step out, to go within, to wait, to breathe, to heal, to allow?

If you’d like an intuitive read on what’s holding you back—and the best possible way forward—schedule a free 15-minute consult (https://www.davemarkowitz.com/sessions.php ) or a session with me. Let’s look at the broader perspective together.

If we were meant to go at it alone, there’d be eight billion planets with one inhabitant each.

Blessings,
Dave

https://www.davemarkowitz.com/sessions.php

11/17/2025

The inspiring message from INTERCONNECTIONS, that our actions truly make a difference in the world, is needed now more than ever before.

Interconnections Screener for Broadcast 30 minute program

11/06/2025

Rabindranath Tagore once said, “The one who plants trees knowing he will never sit in their shade has begun to understand the meaning of life.” Those words are a love letter to selflessness—a reminder that true purpose outlives the person.

In ecology, trees communicate through underground networks, sharing nutrients and signals with others—even different species. They live not just for themselves, but for the forest. Maybe that’s what we’re meant to learn—to give without seeing the result.

To plant kindness, ideas, and hope that future generations will harvest. That’s legacy. What seeds are you planting today for someone else’s tomorrow? 🌳💚

10/14/2025

"Sometimes, we just want to lie on a beach and soak up some sun. And sometimes – if we’re really honest with ourselves – we just want to bury our heads in the sand and pretend the world isn’t happening. This desire for escape isn’t weakness; it’s a genuine cry for restoration.

Understanding that you need peace is one thing – actually creating it is another. This is about the practical art of disconnection: how to unplug from the constant input that keeps your nervous system in overdrive and your empathic abilities overwhelmed."

Read more in my article featured in Positive Health Online, Europe’s number one online publication in its genre:
https://www.positivehealth.com/article/mind-matters/unplugging-from-the-noise

10/09/2025

To those who’ve reached out to check on me, thank you kindly. I’m very touched.

Despite what some media may portray, Portland Oregon is not a war zone. The biggest disagreement I’ve seen this year is a woman freaking out because her local Starbucks ran out of oat milk.

Okay, I joke—and it’s not funny. Like any medium- or large-sized city, Portland has its challenges. So far neither the left- nor the right-leaning leaders have solved them… perhaps because, as with many cultural and medical approaches, the root causes remain unaddressed.

Homelessness, addiction, you name it—the roots often stay hidden. Much like our own blind spots, no matter how much we look, we just can’t see beyond those pesky blind spots… until, perhaps, we do.

And once revealed, a whole new world begins to open up.

As many of you already know from our time working together, present-day pains, illnesses, and frustrations are often the result of absorbed energy from others. Most of us still carry energy from our childhood, from every decade of our lives, and now—perhaps more than ever—from the collective unconscious which seems to be on high alert.

Once we become aware of this, everything changes. Our approach to finding answers, and healing personal and societal issues shifts. We become more intuitive, wiser, healthier and vibrant when we apply the tools that prevent and heal absorbed energies and blockages, rather than getting stuck in the mind’s ever-present, “Why?”

We are each on a journey of reconnection.

Remembering who we really are.

Shedding the layers of protection that we had to form around our tender hearts just to survive.

In addition to my own work with you, I like to share work I’ve found profoundly heart-opening. Work that when listened to leaves you forever transformed. https://thetelepathytapes.com/ is one such resource. It’s so much more than its own website describes. It’s confirmation of our interconnectedness. It’s a redefinition of our humanity. An expansion of consciousness. And a reminder that we’re all in this together.

In a world full of problems, separation, and division, anything we do—or become—to help mend the internal and external divide helps the greater cause. Personal healing catalyzes collective healing. What we do for ourselves, we do for everyone. Together, let’s focus on solutions more than fueling the fires of division.

This doesn’t mean to ignore the challenges, it means to take care of the self so that we can take care of others while in the collective muck. It means to be the best possible version of ourselves. The Telepathy Tapes have gotten me into my heart on more than a few occasions, reminding me to focus on my work in healing the division—within ourselves and our greater whole by getting to the root of dysfunction. Illuminating the unseen causes, and sharing solutions.

To that end, I invite you to watch a conversation I had with Bruce Cryer, former CEO of HeartMath https://youtu.be/_QAAhLGF9i8 This was initially offered as a bonus in my recent course with the Shift Network, and now it’s available for all to see. If what I’m sharing resonates with you—or just piques your curiosity—I invite you to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consult https://www.davemarkowitz.com/sessions.php with me so that we can best determine what is blocking you, how to heal, and how to move through your challenges.

“Dave is a Portal of Love and Light. His resonance is pure, and he speaks and acts with kindness, acceptance and wisdom. He is able to accurately decipher what needs attention, and then gently address it with focus and compassion. He is a gift in our time, that is greatly needed. I highly recommend his expertise. His work is medicine!”
– Sheila Balestrino DO, Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, Mars, PA, USA

For empaths, sensitives, and intuitives… How do we fine-tune our gifts for healing and for the betterment of all? How do we align with the eyes behind the ey...

09/22/2025

Living a life full of hate has been scientifically documented to have significant negative effects on mental and physical health, vibrancy, and can contribute to illness. Research and expert analyses highlight several key impacts:

Mental Health Effects
- Hate causes chronic stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, paranoia, and can contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- It activates the brain’s fight-or-flight response, increasing stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which over time depletes adrenal function and negatively impacts mood and well-being.
- Exposure to hate, whether felt personally or experienced as discrimination or hate crimes, aggravates mental health conditions and can lead to emotional suppression and increased risk of suicidal behavior.

Physical Health Effects
- Prolonged feelings of hate stimulate the autonomic nervous system, causing physiological stress responses that increase inflammation, weaken the immune system, and strain the endocrine system, leading to a higher risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- Chronic stress from hate leads to fatigue, insomnia, weight changes, and other manifestations of physical decline.

Social & Functional Consequences
- Hate damages relationships and social functioning, causing conflicts, isolation, and difficulties in maintaining support networks that are vital for health and resilience.
- Communities affected by hate crimes or discrimination suffer negative health impacts beyond individuals, manifesting in poorer overall well-being and economic disparities.

Summary
- Hate drives a harmful biological and psychological cycle that reduces vibrancy, exacerbates illness, and undermines functioning.
- Letting go or managing hate through mindfulness, professional help, and healthy coping can significantly improve mental and physical health.

This is supported by academic studies, psychological reviews, and public health findings documenting the deep health consequences of sustained hatred and hostility in individuals and communities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scientific evidence shows that love positively influences mental and physical health, increasing vibrancy and reducing illness risk in multiple documented ways:

Mental Health Benefits of Love
- Love increases production of oxytocin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, fostering emotional well-being and social connection.
- People experiencing love show lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher positive affect over time, with love fostering psychological resilience and emotional support.
- Love enhances cognitive function related to empathy and emotional understanding, which improves social bonds and emotional regulation.
- Loving relationships help counteract feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of belonging and purpose, which protects against mental health disorders.

Physical Health Benefits of Love
- Oxytocin triggered by loving interactions lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and boosts immune function, contributing to longevity and reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart problems and diabetes.
- People in loving, supportive relationships report better sleep, less pain, and faster recovery from illness.
- Positive social bonds nourished by love regulate stress hormones and promote healing and growth at cellular levels.

Summary
- Love stimulates neurochemical pathways linked to happiness, reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced social connection.
- It supports physical health by boosting immune responses, lowering chronic inflammation, and protecting cardiovascular health.
- Emotional support and altruism linked to love have enduring benefits on psychological well-being, especially in older adults.

In conclusion, living a life embedded in love, connection, and caring relationships significantly enhances mental, emotional, and physical health, opposing the detrimental effects seen with sustained hate or hostility.

08/18/2025

Recognizing False Desires in Action

I often see clients with powerful healing gifts who can’t seem to attract enough patrons to make a living. More often than not, I’ve intuited that they just weren’t ready to work with so many people without compromising their own health. In that case, you can see how all the marketing and even the never-ending list of healing classes they may have taken won’t get them what they think they want.

In fact, the Universe is giving them exactly what they need: time to heal themselves so that they can truly be an open vessel and in service to others without getting drained or sick themselves.

-excerpt from my upcoming book, Refuge for the Weary Empath: The Sacred Work of Healing Ourselves and Healing Our World

07/29/2025

People often tell me, “Dave, I’m terrible at meditation because my mind won’t shut up!” But what if those thoughts aren’t the enemy? What if they’re actually protecting you from feelings you’re not yet ready to face?

Rather than asking, “What is wrong with me?” try thinking, “Oh, isn’t that interesting. I must not be ready to process some painful emotions. I’m probably not feeling safe enough in this space.” Speak to yourself as you would to a small child who only seeks love and validation, not with reasoning and certainly not with criticism.

Don’t blame yourself for this. Instead, try practicing acceptance of the distraction. Notice it without judgment. Don’t entertain distracting thoughts; rather, be entertained by them. This approach can help create a more supportive internal environment for emotional processing and, eventually, years of peaceful meditation.

~excerpt from my upcoming book

06/26/2025

Learn how your empathy can help harmonize discord in our world!

Ever feel emotionally distraught or physically sick after reading news or scrolling social media? Headlines leave you reeling, yet you can't turn it off because you want to help create a better way forward.

What if your sensitivity is actually pointing you toward your deepest capacity for healing—both yourself and the world?

Dave Markowitz, bestselling author and intuitive healing facilitator, has worked with thousands of empaths to transform pain into purpose. Join him for a free video event:
Finding Refuge for the Weary Empath: Understanding Societal Discord & Personal Triggers Through the "Original Wounds"
Saturday, June 28

Dave will share the Original Wounds Framework—a powerful map of four formative abandonments we all experience in early life that shape how we respond to societal division.
In this illuminating hour, you'll:

~Discover how society's polarization awakens personal healing opportunities
~Learn about "meshergy"—how empaths unconsciously absorb collective anxiety and how to protect your energy
~Gain tools to discern whether reactions come from fear or divine insight
~Recognize how your empathic nature makes you a natural harmonizer without needing to argue or fix
~Experience The Societal Mirror Integration practice to identify how world triggers mirror inner wounds

You'll feel more grounded and free—experiencing societal chaos not as overwhelming, but as reflection that can awaken you.
Whether you're a healer, parent, activist, or simply someone who feels too much in today's world, this event provides tools to stop absorbing chaos and start embodying your inner strength.
Register here: https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/rweDM/a19495/

A Free Video Event With Bestselling Author &; Intuitive Healing Facilitator Dave Markowitz