Inspiration – Author Michael Singer

This post is part of my spiritual decluttering.

All of us have a wellspring of life energy within us. This flow of energy comes from our deepest sense of being and is with us for our entire lives.

In Yoga it is called Prana or Shakti. In Chinese medicine it is called Chi or Qi. In the west it is often called Spirit. Yet it is more than being a part of any particular religion. It is our life essence that allows miracles to happen everyday, to keep cells replicating, to repair and bring about healing in the body and the mind.

When the life energy is flowing, we feel enthusiastic, grateful, loving and open hearted. We feel fully alive.

As Michael Singer writes, “The only thing you have to know is that opening allows energy in and closing blocks it out. How high do you want to get? How much love do you want to feel? How much enthusiasm do you want to have for the things you do? If enjoying a full life means experiencing high energy, love and enthusiasm all the time, then don’t ever close …. Stay open by never closing.”

Michael A. Singer, taken from “The Untethered Soul. the journey beyond yourself“

In Yoga we access our life energy when breathing fully and bringing awareness to our senses. In Chinese medicine it is connected to the seasons and the elements of nature, and follows lines of energy meridians in our bodies.

The ancients knew how important it was to stay open and allow the energy to flow. Yet most of us have forgotten or lost this in modern living. We have become addicted to external influences: buying items that we hope will make us feel better, or at least more worthy, seeking experts to fix our problems, and searching for the perfect guide who has the answer to our problems.

We have lost our way and have disconnected from the very life force that keeps us alive and in balance. This energy helps us handle the biggest challenges in life and ride the waves of life. This energy is available to every one of us, yet most of us are unaware of its influence and importance for our well being.

The big secret, or knowing, is that we can open to it and allow it to flow through us, or we can close ourselves off from it.

When we focus more on the mind and intellect, especially if we are worried about the future or lamenting the past, there is a natural closing down of this energy. It gets stuck in our head with our thoughts and analysis. When the energy gets stuck it brings distress and dis-ease.

In my experience, bringing fresh awareness to the body and the flow of energy in it, can bring about release and transformation for our whole being.

The power of yoga is not in the postures, or even in meditating, but in awareness of the life energy within us. We discover where our attention goes, the energy flows, both on and off the mat.

We learn to how to keep our heart open.

Namaste