ENERGY PRIMER
ENERGY – we all want more of it and observe those who seem to possess a lot of it and wonder how we can be more like them. We know when we are with others whose energy is uplifting and for the most part, these are the folks with whom we want to spend our time. We also know when someone drains us of our energy and hopefully, we choose to limit the time we spend with those individuals or groups. We intuitively sense the energy of a place and express it by saying “I feel so good here!” or “This place gives me the creeps!” As people are adding complementary care modalities to their health and wellness regimens, it helps to gain a greater understanding about how energy works and how to be responsible for our own energy.
The first thing to know is that everything is energy and everything possesses its own energy field. Whether you can sense the energy field of something or not does not change the fact that the field exists. We are energetic beings that appear to be separate, when in actuality, we are swimming in a sea of energy and are inextricably connected, even over vast distances. All of us have had the experience of thinking of someone in one moment and having them call or show up in person in the next moment. On some level, we sensed that person’s energy field rubbing up against ours. It is a choice whether we discount these kinds of experiences or acknowledge them as a demonstration of our intuitive skills. Watch how more of these kinds of experiences happen when your awareness of them increases.
As with all things in life, we can only be responsible for our own energy field and what we allow into it. Our immune system is active on a physical level as well as an energetic level and, when healthy, recognizes when something that does not belong to us enters our energy field. In our fast paced world, it is imperative that we take time on a regular basis to slow down and be mindful so that we can keep our systems clear of energy that does not serve our highest good. Holistic practitioners help clients clear their energy fields and then teach them how to avoid picking up other energies that are detrimental to their health. A holistic practitioner also teaches a client ways to liberate unhealthy energies that are inadvertently taken on, as in the case of being in a large crowd. It is in this way that a holistic practitioner empowers their clients with knowledge and skills to take care of themselves. In contrast, western medicine encourages clients to be dependent on a practitioner, on medications or on therapies that either have no end in sight or leave a client exhausted and overwhelmed.
Energy works more effectively with intention, as this helps to focus the energy. A good practice to adopt is setting an intention at the beginning and ending of every day. It can be as simple as “I am going to have the best day/night possible and ask for guidance and protection as I move through my day/night.” Putting an intention into writing seems to increase its power and serves as a good reminder if the going gets tough. Another example is “I intend that all of my words, deeds and thoughts serve the highest and best good of the universe, myself and everybody everywhere.” Make it a habit of setting an intention every day for a month and then observe what shifts in your outlook on life in general.
Energy itself is neutral. It is how we respond to it that gives it a positive or negative charge. When we are grounded in our own strength and health, we are much less likely to be affected by fluctuations in others’ energy fields. It also allows us to be present for others when they need to vent and helps us to keep from taking on energy that was not ours in the first place. Communication is key. Asking the question “What do you need from me in this moment?” is a great way to honor the needs of the other and helps keep us out of the “fix it” mode. Grounding can be accomplished easily by taking a few deep breaths and visualizing our feet in contact with the earth.
When we ground, we are also helping our energy centers be aligned. This facilitates the easy flow of energy through us and helps us to remain healthy. When we are out of alignment, energy gets stuck and dis-ease can take root. A helpful visualization may be to see a strong, tree with many branches and a root system reaching deep into the earth or a swiftly flowing stream as energy flows through us from head to toe.
Many people today are so used to being out of alignment that they believe that this is a normal way to feel. Being out of alignment becomes so familiar that when true alignment is allowed, it feels strange and may take time to integrate. As with any new skill, it will take some work in the beginning and gets easier as we practice alignment on a daily basis. Family members and friends may notice a shift in your energy and will typically push buttons in order to get you out of alignment and back to “your old self.” It is at these times that taking a deep breath and practicing your grounding technique will be most helpful. These folks are helping you with your practice by reminding you that you are doing something new. In this way, you will be modeling good self-care and then others may choose to follow your example, setting up a ripple effect.
In closing, remember to be gentle with yourself and others. Gaining clarity about your energetic boundaries, remaining centered and grounded as much as possible and allowing others the opportunity to learn new behaviors are all part of our emotional growth. The only thing we truly have control over is our own behavior and healing begins when we take responsibility for our behavior.
