I am often asked by friends, family members and clients “How can I protect my energy from...?” but with the busy-ness of the holidays upon us, I was torn between this and the topic of 'Seasonal Self-Care.' After putting up a poll and getting your feedback and with so much going on in our general, every day lives, I decided to share some of my experiences and insights surrounding the topic of 'Guarding Your Energy.' Please take what resonates with you and leave the rest.
As a Reiki practitioner I am exposed to and am interacting with a variety of different energetic fields or Auras, sometimes several times a day. This type of energetic exchange may be a little more personal than a casual interaction with say someone in line at the coffee shop but I do believe that in every moment, each one of us is participating in an ongoing interaction and exchange of energy with one another, as well as all other life forms, including the planet. It is an important part of the Reiki practice that as a practitioner, I am dedicated to taking proper care of myself; mentally, emotionally, physically and energetically. I can not practice Reiki if I am not at my best. Not only does this allow me to show up as a clean, clear conduit for healing but by taking care of myself first, I am better able to be of service to others; rather than try to pour from an empty cup. This has helped in both my personal and professional lives.
Everything is Energy
Everyday we are exposed to and interact with many different levels and types of energy. From the time we wake, to the time we sleep and almost every moment in between we are exposed to low vibration, high vibration, radiation, microwaves, to radio-waves and electromagnetic frequencies, all of which result from both natural and man-made occurrences. On top of these influences, our energy levels, mood and overall well-being are both directly and indirectly influenced by the physical, mental, emotional or energetic state of all that we come into contact with; everything and everyone. From the tree you sit under and drink your coffee, to your faithful family pet, your beloved spouse, your disgruntled co-worker, etc. These external influences and the things we both consciously and unconsciously expose ourselves to have an impact on our state of being. The food you eat; synthetic ingredients and GMO's effect the physical body, what you lend your attention to; fear, violence, fake news, social media propaganda etc, all effect the mind and how we perceive each other and the world.
Below is a break down of the different types of energetic disturbances as well as methods to apply to guard yourself from them. So how can 'Guarding Your Energy' make a difference? By making a conscious choice to protect yourself; mind, body and spirit, you are declaring that your health and happiness are a priority. You create space for awareness to build and shed light on other areas of your life, or aspects of self that may need your love, energy and attention. Once you have awareness you can exercise your will power to make the choices that will reflect who you truly are, what you value and how you'd like to feel. This may be easier said then done for those who are embarking on their healing journey for the first time. You might feel triggered by the thought of putting yourself first, feelings of being undeserving or unworthy of your own energy and love may rise to the surface. If this is true for you, take a deep breath. It is OK to feel uncomfortable, confused or even resistant to making the changes needed in order to put yourself first. We must feel to heal and the first step to working through the pain, is to make space for the feelings. Only then can they be released. Remember to be patient with yourself and that every act of self care is progress!
Protecting your Energy from Electronics
Our energetic field is impacted by the electromagnetic frequencies of electronics and household devices. Our cell phones, computers, modems, TV's, appliances, etc. all emit radiation. One of the simplest ways to guard your energy from electronics is to limit the amount of time you are exposed to them.
Use your cell phone only when necessary and do not sleep with it.
Take a break from your computer or watching TV every 30 minutes.
Retreat into nature and connect with the natural energy of the trees, river, earth etc.
Crystals such as Lepidolite, Shungite and Fluorite can help to guard your energy from electromagnetic frequencies, either by placing them directly on the body or on the electronic device.
Protecting your Energy from Other People
According to a study published by PMC National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM):
“The Human biofield or Aura, extends outside the human body. Biofield energy is any electrical or magnetic field produced by a biological organism, e.g. a human. The human body produces measurable electrical and magnetic fields. The heart produces an electrical field to regulate its beat: This electrical signal is measured through an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a common medical test. The brain also produces an electrical field but at a much lower level than the heart. In fact, every cell in the human body produces minute amounts of electricity, a magnetic field, has a positive charge on the outer cell wall, and a negative charge on the inner cell wall. (Dale, 2009).¹”
So, not only are our bodies producing energy, they are also sending and receiving this energy to and from others and out into the world. Our energy becomes influenced by our environment, our mood, the activities we choose to engage in or do not, the foods we choose to eat, etc. So when we come in to contact with a person, place or object that is vibrating at an energetic frequency that is different than our own, we are likely to take note and we are even more likely to notice the change in energy if there are negative feelings involved. Have you ever met someone for the first time and they just “rubbed you the wrong way?” It's possible you were emitting two very different energetic frequencies.
In my experience, it is helpful to have a self care practice at the start of your day to help you set the tone as you go through your routine, that way you are already grounded and in a healthy mindset to face any challenges or upsets you encounter. If you don't have a self care practice, or haven't carved out the time to make yourself a priority, you can start with a simple mantra to keep you present in moments of stress or difficulty. For example, “This too shall pass” or “What other people do, isn't about me” Research different mantras or affirmations for your particular situation.
When mindfulness doesn't seem to help and you feel the need for more of a physical protection, you can use sacred herbs such as Sage, Palo Santo, Cedar, Sweetgrass, etc to purify and protect your space, mind, body and spirit. If you are unable to clear away the undesired energy by cleansing, or want to avoid the smoke, you can also use crystals such as black tourmaline, smoky quartz or obsidian to create a protective grid around the home or body, or wear as a bracelet or pendant to protect your energy.
I have also found that addressing the issue or negative influence by speaking your truth can be one of the most effective ways to guarding your energy. The power of your voice lets you establish a personal boundary, a verbal contract between what you are willing to tolerate and what you are not. We all vary in our degrees of self awareness and some people are more sensitive to energy then others. As humans we can get caught up in our own story and think that others should just know what we want or how we feel ...without actually telling them. No one is a mind reader! Don't let fear prevent you from speaking up and asking for what you need and if all else fails, don't be afraid to walk away. There is strength in stating 'this does not serve me' and by doing so, you no longer need to pour unnecessary energy into something or someone else.
These practices to guarding your energy take time, and well, practice. The change won't happen over night, but I promise that by starting small or by starting at all, you are creating an awareness and a shift in your thinking. This is super powerful! There is so much energy behind the power of a thought, so once you plant that seed of awareness, it will begin to grow and before you know it you will observe the changes within yourself that will help you to start creating a healthy, happy life. Practice connecting with your breath as a means of building awareness. By observing the gentle flow of each inhale and exhale you are completely present. You are here. Now. Try it. Close your eyes and breather Watch your breath, maybe you notice how tense you are in the neck or shoulders, maybe your clenching your jaw. It starts here. Through awareness. With the breath. The more you practice with your breath the more aware you will become of the sensations and feeling you are experiencing or perhaps even neglected. By making space for the feelings to be acknowledged you can work through and release what is no longer serving you; old thought patterns, limiting beliefs, addiction, stress, fear, anxiety and more. The awareness allows you to become conscious of what was previously unknown, it sheds light on the darkness.
One final tip that I have for guarding your energy is the simple act of inviting in the Divine, Source, Holy spirit, God, Buddha, Universe, Angels, etc and ask to be surrounded and cloaked in a protective blanket of thick white light. If you wish, you may also set a particular intention to be shielded from such and such situation, or a particular event or even a person. Remember to give thanks and trust this will happen!
I did not intend for this post to be this long but if you made it all the way through, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Sending each and everyone of you love + light <3 May your holidays be merry and bright! Take it one day at a time and remember to be patient with yourself as you experiment with finding the technique that works best for guarding your energy!
References:
1. Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations
Susan Thrane, RN, MSN, OCN, Pre-doctoral Fellow and Susan M. Cohen, DSN, APRN, FAAN