03 Feb2021

What is healthy spiritual energy?

Written by Julie Rost.

winter scene Many of us put faith and trust in our collective medical knowledge, especially during these pandemic times. But, how many of us put faith and trust in our collective spiritual knowledge? This is not to imply that we should not consult with our medical practitioners but, rather, not to forget to tend to our spiritual health. Yoga, as well as many spiritual traditions, recognizes that the body can not be separated from our energy, emotions, mind and spirit. When there is an imbalance in any one part of our being, it creates a weaker link in our circuitry. Our spiritual energy is actually the most subtle of all these energies--it’s unseen but powerful quality may be the greatest determiner of our health and well-being.

What is healthy spiritual energy? In Yoga it might be described as “sattvik” which implies neither good nor bad, but a quality of balance, neutrality, pure being. It is the witness perspective in the present moment. Spiritual energy is often difficult to describe. A “beyond words” state is the spiritual state! A peaceful smile. A deep and relaxed breath. A feeling of love in the heart. A feeling of contentment and gratitude for life itself in its beautiful mystery. A trust that we are part of a greater spiritual collective uplifting the planet at this very moment as we awaken the unique light we were born to shine.

In our current stressful times, it seems more challenging than ever to maintain a positive spiritual energy. In a recent conversation with a friend, while sledding with our kids, conversation continued to cycle around to themes related to the ongoing stressors related to COVID, including not being able to socialize with friends and engage in our hobbies in the same way we used to, not to mention the uncertainty of the growing division in our country. We acknowledged even as we talked, that conversations seemed to sink quickly into complaining, and that this imbalanced energy seemed to feed itself in a downward cycle.

With my daughter by my side, ready to go home, I laughed and said to my friend “Okay, we have to find a way to end this conversation on a positive note”! Though there is some value in being with one another during hard times, honest and authentic about our emotional being, it also is important to transmute that very energy into Light. We do this by allowing it to guide us in nourishing ways. I offered to my friend, “Maybe these times are teaching us to lean back, allow this pause rather than push and control, or wish things could be different. Maybe we are being invited to nourish ourselves, families and neighbors in deeper ways, and get creative about these connections. Maybe it is allowing certain aspects of our humanity to erupt, topple, reorganize and be reborn for a brighter future. Maybe we are being challenged to withhold judgment of others, to cultivate compassion and forgiveness, to continue asking ourselves who we want to be in the world.”

I find myself going all the way back to Source more frequently these days, in my meditation, in nature, and with the people before me. What I experience there is a vast and loving energy that has not only created this magnificent and beautiful world, but has created a “We” to experience it. May we feed this energy of our Spirit, alone and together, with friends and with strangers, so as to uplift and guide us in ways that will shape our future.

With Great Love,
Julie