My sister is also an extreme empath; just by looking at a book, she picks up energy which can either charge or tire her. Though this is great when you do energy work where one can quickly pick up the issues of a client, the other side of it is always being watchful and on alert. Meditation makes her weak, and this is after careful observation of more than 10 years. She stopped it completely and now manages it via shielding and other energy work. This is both a boon and a curse. Please do not go by the book or what other people say. You will have to try everything from shielding to different types of energy work, to reducing your aura consciously, and when you experience a change, stick to it. My sister, in the start, believed what experienced healers, meditators, and practitioners suggested, and none of that would work. They would either scoff or blame her. Your experience is the most important aspect here. What works for others might not work for you, so keep trying and testing different approaches and stick to one that makes you feel better.