Of course, when a complicated subject arises like the question you pose, Stopdog, my first reaction is to ask you to define the term 'empathy' as you understand it.

And then we can progress to the question 'is it empathy that is irritating or is it how empathy is expressed or is it the doubt that it's really empathy?"

For me, empathy is knowing I'm being heard and maybe even understood. Life is lonely and loneliness is lack of human connection. We are wired to connect to other human beings.

Difficult life situations and the subsequent result of difficult emotional states exist in our lives. Having another person empathize can take the edge off of some of the pain felt.

Now, for me, words might turn me off. I know words are cheap and easily used. Words can be irritating and words can grate against the sensitivity of my raw feelings.

I'm lucky because my therapist does not use a lot of words. I'm lucky because I feel her empathy. How is this helpful, you ask?

Simply and purely, just as a cry in the dark seeks a listener, the expression of pain yearns for at least one person on earth who can 'hear' it. We humans need each other. We are put on Earth, I believe, to help and support each other. Not just in practical and obvious ways but also in deep emotional ways.

We seek love, we seek connection, we seek the lightness of being, we seek that which is ineffable.

And empathy felt is one incredible powerful way to achieve that which we want the most - love. It can open our heart and allow us to give and receive freely.