Inside the physical body resides the energetic body, a vibrant, interconnected system that sustains life and enables action. If the physical body is the city’s infrastructure - its highways, streets, and transport systems - the energetic body is the activity teeming within it, flows of beings and things moving from place to place. Learning about one’s energy, what depletes it, what restores it, and how to control and direct it, is an essential part of an intersectional mystic practice.
Chakras
This body houses seven key energy centers, known in Sanskrit as chakras, located along the spine. Chakra means "wheel," and these wheels function as powerful roundabouts in the transportation system of your energy as it flows throughout the body-city. They are located in the following places: 1) base of the spine/root of the torso, between the anus and genitals, 2) lower belly, 3) upper belly, 4) clavicle or heart centre, 5) throat, 6) third eye, and 7) crown of the head. Traditionally, they are assigned colours reflecting the spectrum of visible light, together forming a rainbow.
Each chakra corresponds to a different aspect of human existence, increasing in magnanimity from lowest to highest. The chakras, their associated colours, and correspondences are:
Muladhara (Root): Red; foundation, survival.
Svadhisthana (Lower Belly): Orange; seat of the self, passion.
Manipura (Upper Belly): Yellow; willpower, personal strength.
Anahata (Heart Center): Green; emotions, openness.
Vishuddha (Throat): Blue; communication, expression.
Ajna (Third Eye): Purple; intellect, intuition.
Sahasrara (Crown): Pure light; divinity, enlightenment.
When viewed head-on, chakra energy rotates clockwise; perceived from within one’s own body, the movement is counter-clockwise. However, knowledge from Asian energetic practices suggests that the chakras, and the energy paths they govern, can become blocked, obstructing the free flow of energy through the body, which is linked to range of physical and emotional disturbances.
There are a number of alternative healing modalities that seek to clear and balance the chakras. Reiki is a Japanese energetic healing technique where a trained practitioner uses visualisation to affect the energy in another’s body. Tai chi and Qi gong are Chinese movement practices that are more active. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that works to reset the nervous system through the insertion of hair-thin needles in key energetic points in the body. Acupressure can be an accessible alternative to acupuncture.
All of these techniques have the rebalancing and healing of the energetic body in mind. These modalities, rooted in ancient wisdom, aim to recalibrate and refresh the energetic body. From a contemporary scientific viewpoint, the systems that these techniques can affect are the venous, nervous, neurochemical and hormonal systems. Not all of these techniques will resonate with every body, so some trial and error is to be expected. Practitioners can be found worldwide; look for reputable services, and explore online resources to learn more.
Meditation and the Energetic Body
Meditation is another way to access the energetic body. It comes in various forms, from active meditation, where you focus on an object or visualisation; guided meditation, where you listen to suggestions with your eyes closed, and even moving meditation, of which asana yoga and tai chi are popular forms.
However, stilling the mind through simple, repeated focus allows one to internally ‘see’ one’s energetic body. In a quiet, dim space—sitting on a cushion, chair, or lying flat—close your eyes, allow your attention to go inwards, and concentrate on your breath or a mantra. Direct your inner vision toward the third eye, the point between and just above your eyebrows. After sustained practice, thoughts will subside, and the subtle, glowing outline of your energetic body may become visible. Once you can see this energetic body, you can begin to work on it.
The energetic body resembles a faint version of your physical self—a luminous outline, like the trail of a sparkler in the dark. Scan for dim areas or interruptions in the glow. Like you might do in a yoga or Reiki session, ‘send’ some energy to that site; you may wish to visualise golden light shining onto or from that place that needs attention, or just send attention and breath there. If no glow appears, allow yourself to be open to the information your meditation reveals—perhaps other impressions, like colours, shapes, or sensations, as guidance.
Through the discipline of meditation, you can become an observer of your thoughts, which you can, with practice, restrain (yoga actually means ‘to yoke’). This can reveal the distinction between (1) thoughts and self, and (2) thoughts and useful information. Regularly tending to the energetic body through meditation promotes healing and well-being. You can also extend this practice outward, using metta meditation to send goodwill and positive energy to others.
Energy Locks
The practice of asana yoga includes the possibility of activating certain sets of muscles in such a way as to physically ‘lock’ the flow of energy in the body. These locks are called ‘bandhas’. There are four bandhas, which are best studied as part of a fuller practice of yoga; that said, they are mentioned here as a traditional technique used to control the flow of energy through the body.
Recharging Through Energy Dynamics
While meditation is a powerful means by which you can recharge your energy levels and repair your energetic body, it is not the only one. Understanding how you exchange energy with others is vital. Broadly speaking, so-called ‘extroverts’ gain energy through interaction while ‘introverts’ are drained by it. Many of us are ambiverts, a mix of both.
Find out which orientation is stronger by reflecting on how you feel after a day of social engagement. Are you buzzing with energy, or yearning to curl up and recharge in the quiet of your own space? The former points to extroversion, your energetic well is filled through interaction and conversation; the latter signals introversion, needing alone time and quietude to replenish your energetic resources.
Knowing your needs helps you plan your days and weeks, allowing time for the kind of energetic refreshment that you need. Extroverts thrive by scheduling time with friends, family and loved ones, as well as some open-ended opportunities to meet new people, experience new environments and interesting strangers. Introverts need to block out time free from social obligations; carving out days or even weeks for restoration.
While this needs to be done in conjunction with the schedules of those we care about, it forms an important part of caring for ourselves. For us to do our best work in the world, we need to understand how we work. Knowing and respecting our own energy rhythms and needs prepares us to show up fully for ourselves, the work we want to do, and the people we wish to serve.
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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice. Please consult a doctor before embarking on any kind of physical programme.
Further Resources
brown, adrienne maree. (2017). Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds. AK Press.
Hittleman, Richard. (1975) Yoga: The 8 Steps to Health and Peace. New York: Bantam Books. Chapter 2: 11-32.
Ram Dass: Going Home [2017 film] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6089564/