Strengthening Abilities

My name is Andrew and I've seen two ghosts before, full body apparitions, in like crystal clear perfection. One with my grandma while we were driving past a cemetery, it was a little boy dressed in clothes that surely pre-dated this century, I told her about it and she said she didn't believe me, I think it was more of her trying to convince herself though, because I know for a fact that seeing spirits runs wild in my family. I'm Not sure sure about my parents, they tend to clam up whenever I try to approach the subject with them. Although my grandpa, aunt, both of my aunt's children, and even my grandma have claimed to see spirits the youngest being 7, so I don't know why she wouldn't believe me. My second encounter was with my friend, and it was an elderly man's spirit, he looked worn down and dirty, almost like he was homeless at the time of his death. But it's not when I trying to see them, it just happens, when I'm purposely trying to see them I can't. I usually only get slight impressions or subtle feelings that someone else is near. I'm an empath and and I felt the spirits emotion (neither of them malevolent, thankfully), just confused and lost, I tried to send reassurance, but I didn't think it worked. I don't think I'm aware enough of my abilities to do so, and I would like to know how to strengthen my abilities, meditation and opening chakras was suggested, but every time I do so, I get really hot, like almost unbearable, is this normal? Any and all help is greatly appreciated I would really like to hone and strengthen all of my abilities. Oh and as far as I know I'm the only empath in the family