Befriending Your Shadow

Within each of you live aspects you have deemed unacceptable, qualities which you have exiled to the darkness because you feared what others might think, or because you absorbed messages that these parts were wrong. Yet these shadow aspects do not disappear through suppression; they merely operate unconsciously, influencing your choices and reactions in ways which you may not fully comprehend. The journey of integration requires courage to face what you have hidden and compassion to examine them.

 

When you shine awareness on your shadows without judgment, you can reclaim enormous amounts of energy previously devoted to keeping these shadows at bay. You may then discover that what you rejected often contains gifts: your anger may protect boundaries, your sadness may deepen empathy, your fear may heighten discernment. Understanding the shadow is not about acting on every impulse, but about building a conscious awareness with all that you are, recognising that wholeness includes the light and the dark. By acknowledging and processing these hidden aspects rather than suppressing them, you prevent them from festering and causing harm, empowering you to move forward with greater authenticity, truthfulness and emotional freedom.

The Energy Flow: Unlock your Well-being

Optimal well-being depends on the free flow of energy through your body. Traditional Chinese medicine describes this energy distribution system as meridians – channels that carry the vital energy of chi (the Taoist concept of Life Force). These meridians nourish every part of you, but emotional blockages can disrupt this flow, leading to various health issues, pains or emotional imbalance. By understanding this connection between emotions and energy flow, you can prioritise emotional well-being to maintain physical health and vitality. By becoming aware of how energy moves through you and addressing blockages, you can maintain your health and vitality, preventing illness and promoting overall well-being.

Meridians – Balancing Energy Flow for Your Health

In the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of Meridians unveils an understanding of the body’s energy flow and its influence on health and well-being. Meridians are considered pathways through which vital life force energy, known as qi, circulates, connecting various organ systems and ensuring the harmonious functioning of the body. The practice of balancing energy flow along these meridians is integral to your health, both in preventing illness and promoting overall vitality.

The art of balancing energy through the meridians takes on a holistic perspective on health, emphasising the interconnectedness of various bodies of the human mechanism. By incorporating practices that aim to balance your thoughts and emotions, you can reduce the build-up or accumulation of restrictions or occlusions in the various parts of your energy matrix, thereby promoting a free flow of energy.

Meridian balancing involves techniques such as acupuncture, acupressure, qigong, and specific types of meditation which aim to unblock and balance the flow of energy within the body. These approaches recognise that disruptions in the flow of qi can manifest as symptoms or illnesses of the physical body mechanism. By stimulating specific points along the meridians, it is possible to address imbalances, blockages or restrictions in the body’s energy system; thereby promoting physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium.

In this understanding of meridians and the flow of Life Force energy or Chi, you may begin to appreciate that the body is not isolated parts but a dynamic and interconnected system where balance is the key to unlocking the full potential of your Life Force.

Time for Yourself

Many of us believe we achieve some downtimes for ourselves, however, the truth is often very different. Do you often find yourself caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, spending what should be your alone time worrying about others or responsibilities? Well, this is a common scenario with few of us actually experiencing any quality “me time”.

You can develop a simple and transformative practice of leaving a little space for yourself each day. It is simply learning how to reclaim a few precious moments exclusively for your well-being. While it sounds simple, the achievement of this is often difficult to achieve, especially in the busy and often chaotic lives we all live.

This is the art of doing nothing, for a few minutes each day. This isn’t a time for multitasking or engaging in activities. It’s a breather, a moment to sit still and just be. It is really about doing truly nothing. This is your time to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself.

Keep it pure and keep it simple. It is a time for you to just be, take a proverbial breather and try your best to empty your mind. To help you achieve this “me time”, you may find it beneficial to find a quiet corner of the garden or a room to sit. Just sit there quietly breathing, not thinking, not doing, not worrying, just being. You may struggle initially creating this time of pure nothingness, especially if you have an overactive mind or are prone to overthinking; but gradually with repeated application, you can achieve longer periods.

Creating this time for yourself each day is a small yet significant act of self-care. By dedicating just a few minutes to doing nothing, you can recharge, renew, and invigorate your mind and body. Embrace the simplicity of this practice, and witness the positive impact it can have on your overall well-being.

Cognition for Improved Mental Wellbeing

We all live in a complicated and ever-changing world. Every day we are immersed in a sea of thoughts and emotions which can influence us. Life Force Cognition can become an essential tool in helping you to effectively change your state of mind and lead to improved mental health.

As you apply the techniques of Life Force Cognition, you have the opportunity for the mind to become calm and quell some of your emotions. You can more effectively shift your thinking and switch off from the world whenever needed. As you become more adapt at Life Force Cognition, the energies of your Life Force can rejuvenate and revitalise all parts of you.

Unblocking Prana or Chi

Did you know that there is a powerful, unseen energy within you that circulates to maintain every cell and organ in your body? This energy is the Universal Force which surrounds and permeates you, binding the universe together. This energy is also essential to your general health, vitality, and well-being. This energy of life is known by many names such as Prana, Chi (Qi) and the Force in numerous cultures. This is the primordial, all-encompassing energy of the Force, which pervades not only you but every person & everything.

An essential aspect of your wellbeing is the unobstructed flow of this Chi or Prana energy throughout the human form. This energy of the Universal Force circulates naturally through the body along energy pathways or channels, as part of the human energy mechanism. The term meridians characterise the energy distribution system as represented in Chinese medicine, and details how the basic substances of life permeate the entire body. When this energy becomes constricted or blocked that can lead to problems. When the flow of Prana or Chi is disrupted, this can produce various types of sickness or illness.

What is the key to ensuring that your Chi energy flows freely and normally? There are many popular techniques, with Qigong, Tai Chi, and Reiki topping the list, along with several types of frequency-based meditations professing success. However, the one element that all these techniques share in common is some form of meditation is an integral component. Though you should be aware that some of these practices may introduce their own problems as the practitioner may not fully comprehend the human <a href=”/wellbeing/the-energy-mechanism/” target=”_blank”>energy mechanism</a> and the potential side-effects of their practice.

Practised for many thousands of years, meditation is seen as the principal means of clearing and balancing any kind of imbalance along the network of meridians to restore the correct flow of Prana or Chi. However, what is not known by the majority of experts or practitioners is that it is their own thoughts and emotions which have caused various restrictions or blockages in the flow of the Universal Force. This is why performing meditation with the purpose of awareness to understand your true nature is very essential to your ongoing health and wellness.

Do Not Bury Your Emotions

Usually each of us does not have issues with thinking or expressing what would be identified as positive thoughts or emotions. Unfortunately, it is a normal human response to avoid or wish to bury difficult emotions, and even in some cases those which might seem to be neutral but have become taboo as a result of societal norms. Sequestering your emotions and thoughts can be an appropriate way of managing them from a mental mind standpoint. These subdued emotions will normally not create problems when you undertake mindfulness or basic meditation, as the power of your mind can maintain them metaphorically under control. Even if these concealed thoughts or emotions are not leading to problems, be aware that you have pushed them aside. Suppressing an emotion does not admonish an emotion. The emotion still exists within you, secreted in the background of your mind and subconscious. So for your own wellbeing, you should take the opportunity to understand them whenever the time is right.

The state of affairs changes considerably when you start on the pathway to the awakening of your inner light. It is very important to know that suppressing or subduing thoughts and emotions, especially the unfavourable ones, can be perilous as you advance on your journey of attunement or advanced meditation. As you progress with your meditation techniques, increasing levels of the power of your Life Force enlivens your form. These energies flow into all parts of your being from the energy centres and along the meridians. As these energies circulate throughout the human mechanism, their increased energy can activate thoughts or emotions which have been hidden, and may have laid dormant for years or even numerous lifetimes in the body’s think centres and chakras. When these energies trigger one of these suppressed thoughts or emotions, the intensity of that thought or emotion will be increased as a result of the greater energy levels from your awakening. Hopefully, you can now comprehend why it is so necessary to know yourself, to be aware of and understand all of your thoughts and emotions, even those which you might not wish to deal with.

I am the Spark of Life

We are all part of the Universal Force which binds the galaxy together, and preserves the structure of the Universe as we know it. As Life Force beings, we are the individual components of the Universal Force, in much the same way that stars form part of a galaxy. Our Life Force energies are the component of the Universal Force which is unique to each one of us, and are what some consider the spirit or soul. As we reside on this physical plane of existence, within each and every one of us as human beings resides the Spark of Life, which is the true unemotional part within you. It is the creative principle of the cosmos within you to enliven you within this material existence.

The Spark of Life is an important part of you. It not only binds your Life Force to this physical existence, it importantly is the key which allows you to tap into the creative component of the Universal Force within you. For those individuals who step onto the path of knowledge, the Spark of Life can be very beneficial. Through right thoughts, you can leverage the potential of the Spark of Life to raise into higher states of understanding and awareness.

More than a Good Thought

There is a strong correlation between being happy and optimistic to being physically well. Typically, people who express positive thoughts and emotions are at a reduced risk of becoming ill. Feeling happy or having positive experiences is linked with better general health or more content living. So is there more to this than just positive thinking?

Yes, this is more than just thinking a good thought. Positive psychology is a branch of psychology focused on the character strengths and behaviours that allow individuals to build a life of meaning and purpose. While many other branches of psychology tend to focus on dysfunctional aspects of the human mind, positive psychology is centred on helping people become happier on many different levels. This new branch of psychology encompasses a variety of techniques that focus on developing positive thoughts, positive emotions, and developing positive experiences. You can see how this new form of psychology extends beyond thoughts alone to bring forward the complete picture of the human system of wellbeing.

Positive psychology is often confused with positive thinking, which is purely about thinking positive thoughts, rather than changing your way of thinking into a different frame of mind. Positive psychology works at a deeper level on improving our positive character traits, such as loyalty, humility and integrity. It does not discount that there are negatives that impact our lives. Instead, positive psychology aims to look at the situation to better understand human experiences and determine how to best foster positivity and good thinking. These aspects of positive thoughts are then reflected and reinforced by positive emotions and feelings. As we live in a physical world, if these positive thoughts, emotions and feelings can be bolstered by positive experiences, it creates a more powerful narrative than any of the elements individually. We can all leverage aspects of positive psychology so that we can thrive rather than just survive.

Be Aware as you Walk

Walking can be beneficial on many different levels. Walking has been used as a means for becoming calm, helping to quieten the mind and even for spiritual advancement for countless years. People are gradually starting to rediscover the diversion and basic enjoyment of walking. A walk can be included in a break at work or at any time of your choosing. If you are experiencing stress or anxiety, then taking a walk may well enable you to ease some of this mental anguish, frequently giving you an opportunity to bring a different perspective to the situation. While we can all appreciate that going for a walk in the country, or other nature spots may be the most beneficial, realise it is the walking which is the catalyst for your changed thinking. Simply taking a brief walk around the block or around the local park can have a beneficial effect on your day.

The basic act of choosing to go for a walk, allows you to have a change of surroundings. This change alone, may be sufficient for you to be more mindful as you are no longer immersed in the situation. The removal of yourself for a particular situation or location is just as important as the act of the walk itself. This is because you actively remove yourself from the emotional triggers, thoughts or energy which were at your previous location. With the proverbial change of scenery, you have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of the walk itself.

As you walk, attempt to be aware of the sensations within your body, such as the motion of your legs or arms, and be aware of your breathing. Depending on where you have gone for a walk, you may additionally take in more of the environment around you. You may become more conscious of the sounds which constantly float into your ears, the smells which fill your nostrils as you breathe, or even the temperate of the air or the feeling of the sun on your skin. All of these acts of awareness or observation of the world around or within you, can help to change the way you think if you allow it.

Often one of the biggest challenges is that when people go for a walk as a break, they bring their problems with them, rather than doing their best to leave them behind so that they can really benefit from the walk. Take some time out and go for a walk to avail yourself of the opportunity to be more mindful, take a break and refocus. You may well find your thinking will be sharper and your mind clearer after a beneficial break.

Understanding Karma

Karma is a core notion in many Eastern beliefs, including Hinduism and Buddhism. Today, people often incorrectly make use of the word karma to denote luck, destiny or fate. However, if you take a look at the traditional meaning of karma, it means action. Modern science and Newtonian Physics reveal that for every action, there must be an equal and opposite reaction. So the energy created by action needs to be returned, and this is the basis of karma. Karma in itself is neither good nor bad, it is merely labelled that way by people. An often misunderstood aspect is that karma applies to your thoughts and words and not just your actions. So karma very simply explained is, the principle of cause and effect emerging out of any thought or action.

In addition to the karma created from your own actions, you are subjected to the Karmic influences of your family, faith, race, nationality, and more. Every circumstance you encounter in life is the result of some karma and can generate more. You constantly create karma from your actions, thoughts, and words, as well as from your attitudes, expectations, and lifestyle. You create karma from the intended actions you perform knowingly, and likewise from actions carried out unconsciously, whether they be through ignorance or even lack of knowledge. It is additionally possible to take on another person’s karma, which generally is not a good idea since most of us have enough of our own.

Whether you believe that karma depends on continuing cycles of reincarnation, or not, karma implies that you have created and continue to create karma in your life. Karma can have both short-term and long-term effects as it impacts you on many various levels, some of which are not perceived nor immediately evident. Unfortunately, many of us allow ourselves to continue to be controlled by our karma, frequently destined to perform the same habits over and over within this lifetime.

Like it or not, karma cannot be avoided; however, it can be diminished or prevented. The most important thing to remember is that karma can be transmuted or changed. Not only can your choices determine the quality of new karma being created and stored to be released as future events in your life, but there are ways to reduce karma. The best way to reduce karma is to be proactive in your thoughts and actions to decrease the cycle of cause and effect. Each and every moment you should make every effort to be aware of the possible effects or ramifications of your thoughts, actions, or inactions at any point in time. Instead of instantaneously reacting to life, pause to consider your various courses of action, before proceeding. This careful application of containment will aid you to reduce the accumulation of karma and permit you to break free of the karmic chains which bind you into a set pattern within your life.

The Sixth Sense

You may believe we have more than five senses, however, one sense is routinely neglected. That is common sense, as it appears to be seldom acknowledged and frequently in short supply. Your sixth (common) sense is not a conventional sense of the physical body. You may identify that common sense is not intrinsic in everyone to a similar degree, rather it is derived from awareness and is an integral part of your thought processes.

Encountering your common sense is about becoming more aware, taking the bigger picture into view and taking into consideration the effects of any one of your thoughts or actions. As you become more mindful of your common sense, you may sometimes feel through the pit of your stomach. At other times, common sense or sound judgement can seem akin to the quiet whisper originating from the back of your head, informing you to be aware or do something another way.

Throughout your day, ask yourself if you have suitably considered your thoughts or actions. Being aware of the repercussions of any thoughts or actions can be the most significant step in learning how to tap into your sixth (common) sense.

Infusing Matter with Life

An essential aspect of wellbeing is the circulation of energy through the human form. The term meridians characterise the energy distribution system as denoted in Chinese medicine, and details how the basic substances of the body permeate the entire body. The individual meridians are typically described as paths or channels which echoes the idea of carrying, holding, or transporting blood, body fluids and chi around the body. Chi is the Taoist idea of the Life Force, which permeates all matter and infuses it with life.

 

The energy circuits or meridians supply energy to all parts of you. You should be mindful that an accumulation of emotions can lead to blockages or obstructions in your body. These disturbances to the circulation of chi within the human mechanism can bring about various forms of sickness or ill-health.

The World of Actuality

You may well have taken advantage of mindfulness techniques to stop, pause, to become aware of what is taking place in the moment. You might have leveraged meditation as a reprieve from your emotions, thoughts and feelings. What is it that makes you act, respond, think, believe and feel in the way in which you do? What is the trigger which presses your psychological or subconscious buttons? The answer to these inquiries might be far more complicated than you initially conceived, as you view your place in the larger cosmos.

There is much more that is not seen than can be seen. Take into consideration that everything in the universe is energy. Welcome to the world of actuality and real facts. Absolutely nothing within the cosmos is by fortune or accident, all adhere to well-prescribed patterns and circulations of energy which form the basis of all matter, thoughts and our reality.

The Unseen

Many of you may have systematically made use of mindfulness techniques to stop, pause, to become aware of what is transpiring in the moment. Alternatively, you may have leveraged meditation as a respite from your emotions and from your thought and feelings.

However, what is it that makes you act, respond, think, believe and feel in the manner in which you do? Realise that absolutely nothing within the cosmos is by accident, all follows well-prescribed patterns and flows of energy which form the basis of all matter, thoughts and our reality. So consider for a moment how these unseen or unrecognised energies could influence you daily and trigger emotions or feelings hidden deep with your psyche.