What does it really mean to be highly sensitive?
A search on the internet for “highly sensitive” would have many different references and perspectives about one being highly sensitive. Some of these books have been written by professionals, others by people who are highly sensitive. And I am sure there are many different perspectives about what it means to be highly sensitive. I write this post from my personal perspective.
In my own experience, I have always known that I was highly sensitive; even going back to when I was a small child. Those of us that are highly sensitive are closer to our subconscious mind, that part of us that relates to our divinity, and we are highly spiritual as well.
The writings of St. Agnes who lived in the 4th century referenced us being “spiritual beings having a physical experience” (I remember sitting in a class a few years ago where the teacher mentioned this); and Pierre de Chardin, who was a French Jesuit priest and philosopher in the 17th century, said that we are “spiritual beings having a human experience”. This concept has been taught throughout the centuries by all spiritual traditions. In recent years, there have been scientists who are becoming more interested in and studying quantum physics, and the supernatural, or our spiritual side and who have written books helping bridge spirituality and science.
And when we lean toward the opposite pole, we will tend to be more analytical in our nature. And when someone is in a place of extreme egotism (I use this word in reference to a total opposite of in their nature, they will be unhappy because true happiness comes from being connected with our spiritual beingness, feeling connected with God, whatever our perspective of God is.
When we look at books like Divine Magic by Doreen Virtue or The Kybalion, written by The Three Initiates, based on the Hermetic tradition, they help provide an understanding. In The Kybalion, from the Hermetic tradition, there are 7 principles, of which I will mention Principle #4 here. Principle #4 about Polarity explains that everything is dual, everything has poles, a pair of opposites in different degrees. You can find their quote here. This helped me tremendously in my own search for understanding of my sensitivity.
So, the challenge then is to be in balance and be somewhere in the middle of this spectrum so that we will be in balance and be able to function in our everyday lives. When we are extremely highly sensitive, and we have no analytical nature, or perspective, it is more difficult for us to live in our world, which tends to be more ego based. So, it is really important to find a spectrum in the middle where we are more balanced.
I offer this information, which comes to me through meditation and after years of exploring to understand my own highly sensitive and highly spiritual nature in the hope it will be helpful to you. If you are highly spiritual and highly sensitive, just know it is a part of who you are and you are okay; there is nothing wrong with you if you happen to be someone who happens to have these qualities. You are a blessing, and you are a gift to the world.
