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Feeling Too Much

How emotion shapes extraordinary sensitivity.

Child Development
Children and Anomalous Perception

Michael Jawer on October 25, 2021

A primary form of consciousness — led by feelings — may dominate childhood. Kids may thus have deeply felt spiritual and anomalous experiences that are rare for the rest of us.

A primary form of consciousness — led by feelings — may dominate childhood. Kids may thus have deeply felt spiritual and anomalous experiences that are rare for the rest of us.

Friends
Imaginary Companions: Not Just for Kids

Michael Jawer on October 16, 2021

While many, perhaps most, kids experience imaginary companions, what does it mean when characters become real for grown-up novelists and many of their adult readers?

While many, perhaps most, kids experience imaginary companions, what does it mean when characters become real for grown-up novelists and many of their adult readers?

Autism
Are Some People With Autism Primed to Experience Anomalies?

Michael Jawer on October 3, 2021

Children—and especially children on the autism spectrum—may perceive things that seem surpassingly strange. Four recent studies document and begin to illuminate the evidence.

Children—and especially children on the autism spectrum—may perceive things that seem surpassingly strange. Four recent studies document and begin to illuminate the evidence.

Wisdom
The Psychological Wisdom of Serena Williams

Michael Jawer on June 13, 2021

Where are you on the thick-to-thin Boundary spectrum? The differences affect what we view as worthwhile, desirable, funny, artistic, moral, and just.

Where are you on the thick-to-thin Boundary spectrum? The differences affect what we view as worthwhile, desirable, funny, artistic, moral, and just.

Empathy
Becoming Unbound: Pain

Michael Jawer on December 9, 2020

For mirror touch synesthetes, the capacity to resonate with another’s injury or distress runs far beyond the norm. What are the implications for the rest of us?

For mirror touch synesthetes, the capacity to resonate with another’s injury or distress runs far beyond the norm. What are the implications for the rest of us?

Empathy
Becoming Unbound: Empathy

Michael Jawer on November 25, 2020

An intensive, preconscious empathy is the default setting of certain autistic people, enabling them to "merge" into their surroundings. What does this imply for the rest of us?

An intensive, preconscious empathy is the default setting of certain autistic people, enabling them to "merge" into their surroundings. What does this imply for the rest of us?

Autism
Becoming Unbound: Autism

Michael Jawer on November 9, 2020

Offbeat perceptions—where people sense themselves as being outside their body or merging with someone or something else—may indicate how human beings are fundamentally "wired."

Offbeat perceptions—where people sense themselves as being outside their body or merging with someone or something else—may indicate how human beings are fundamentally "wired."

Synesthesia
Becoming Unbound: Felt Sense

Michael Jawer on October 28, 2020

When a person’s accustomed bodily awareness is removed, it’s possible that the universe may effectively open to their inspection.

When a person’s accustomed bodily awareness is removed, it’s possible that the universe may effectively open to their inspection.

Trauma
Unimagined Sensitivities—Series Conclusion

Michael Jawer on August 1, 2017

Death—and its close relative, trauma—may trigger perceptions that subvert the normal bounds of space and time. The fascinating evidence merits serious investigation.

Death—and its close relative, trauma—may trigger perceptions that subvert the normal bounds of space and time. The fascinating evidence merits serious investigation.

Dreaming
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 12

Michael Jawer on July 30, 2017

A life-threatening emergency can, in some cases, produce a veritable distress signal that communicates what is being experienced, physiologically and/or emotionally.

A life-threatening emergency can, in some cases, produce a veritable distress signal that communicates what is being experienced, physiologically and/or emotionally.

Dreaming
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 11

Michael Jawer on July 22, 2017

Some dreams can serve as a virtual x-ray, indicating what’s happening in the body. The process illustrates how life-threatening trauma may generate its own distress signals.

Some dreams can serve as a virtual x-ray, indicating what’s happening in the body. The process illustrates how life-threatening trauma may generate its own distress signals.

Dreaming
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 10

Michael Jawer on July 9, 2017

It’s possible that searing trauma – experienced by humans or other creatures similarly endowed – produces effects that are simultaneously physical, emotional, and spiritual.

It’s possible that searing trauma – experienced by humans or other creatures similarly endowed – produces effects that are simultaneously physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Animal Behavior
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 9

Michael Jawer on July 5, 2017

The deeply felt nature of people-pet relations often manifests in anomalous reports. This may reflect the way other animals apprehend feelings and their emotional bond with people.

The deeply felt nature of people-pet relations often manifests in anomalous reports. This may reflect the way other animals apprehend feelings and their emotional bond with people.

Health
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 8

Michael Jawer on June 27, 2017

Beyond the five senses we humans know, some of the sensory capacities more prominent in other creatures may be intimately connected with health, danger, and emotion generally.

Beyond the five senses we humans know, some of the sensory capacities more prominent in other creatures may be intimately connected with health, danger, and emotion generally.

Environment
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 7

Michael Jawer on June 18, 2017

A person who is highly sensitive to her or his feelings—and to others’ feelings—is likely to be extra sensitive to her or his environment.

A person who is highly sensitive to her or his feelings—and to others’ feelings—is likely to be extra sensitive to her or his environment.

Anxiety
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 6

Michael Jawer on June 4, 2017

Many creatures are known to become agitated before natural disasters. Emotional information – warnings – may be what they’re able to derive through infrasound or other means.

Many creatures are known to become agitated before natural disasters. Emotional information – warnings – may be what they’re able to derive through infrasound or other means.

Empathy
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 5

Michael Jawer on June 3, 2017

Elephants are able to detect and use infrasound, which radiates below the threshold of human hearing. Infrasound can travel vast distances unimpeded by land, air, or water.

Elephants are able to detect and use infrasound, which radiates below the threshold of human hearing. Infrasound can travel vast distances unimpeded by land, air, or water.

Attention
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 4

Michael Jawer on June 2, 2017

Orcas have a unique ability to ‘transmit’ a sense of who they are—and ‘probe’ the people they’re with.

Orcas have a unique ability to ‘transmit’ a sense of who they are—and ‘probe’ the people they’re with.

Animal Behavior
Unimagined Sensitivities, Part 3

Michael Jawer on May 29, 2017

Dolphins and killer whales possess a seeming capability to read minds that human beings neither possess nor suspect.

Dolphins and killer whales possess a seeming capability to read minds that human beings neither possess nor suspect.