These two steps are the keys to preventing taking on empathic pain and can and should be done by each of us before engaging with others. If your sense of responsibility includes wanting to heal the world, I’d suggest working these steps at least once a day, hourly if need be. The mind will want to know how often and for how long. Give it a hug and invite patience instead. Just begin and let guidance take over. The deeper degree that you achieve this knowing, the easier it will be to heal what ails you and prevent reoccurrence.
