DOES BEING EMPATHIC MEAN NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS

I have come to believe that listening to others without our own personal reaction to what we are hearing is kind to those people as we are actually being with them when we don't react. If we react we are not listening and that is like not being with them. They may react if these people need to blame others for what they have done then reacting allows them to blame us. So, if empathy is being connected to another person then listening without reacting to what we are hearing is a way to be empathic. 

If listening without reacting is a good way to relate to others how often does this happen?

CAN WE BE TOO EMPATHIC?

Recently one of my patients said that they were being "too empathic."  She was referring to being understanding of others even when it was stressful for her. She did not feel it was right to not say something or not encourage the others. In exploring this further, it seems that she was making excuses for the others and that she felt that they couldn't help themselves. This seemed like other times when she felt responsible for others. In reflecting further together it seems that my patient's concern about being "too empathic" really represents her being sympathetic as my understanding of sympathy is when we feel for others versus listening to them and to  what their feelings are. This is what I understand what being empathic is. 

So, when we feel we have to say something or respond in some way we might be feeling reponsible for others and this often means that we are managing our own discomfort this way. It might be better to practice listening to others without reacting to what we are hearing so that we will be supporting their ability to manage their own feelings.

What do you think?