Positive Energy Guide

What we perceive and experience as positive depends on what we are ready to receive. Has someone ever loved you more than your self-esteem could tolerate? It’s an awkward and painful experience bumping up against the parts of us that feel unworthy. How difficult it generally is for many of us to be around people […]

Whether or not we perceive something as positive depends on our needs, aims and goals. For the most part we are all egotists and consider the things that feed, flatter, and fatten us “good” and anything that challenges our objectives and desires “negative.” I am not convinced that the universe at large shares this same view. […]

Words can easily trap us into either/or thinking. (See Part 1.) I recently saw a video encouraging people to consider whether we are direct and harsh or indirect and compassionate toward others. Having spent years cultivating the combination of being direct AND compassionate, I took objection. Being indirect is not necessarily considerate. It can stem […]

Our use of words and the associations they stimulate within us bias the way we experience life. I’ve been searching for words that describe positive, finding the exercise surprisingly difficult. What I find challenging is that I want to bring forth positive without accidentally supporting the kind of value judgments that cause us to suppress […]

Glamour, hype, and glitter surround the topic of positive energy. This repels pragmatic people. They may observe the antics, inflated optimism, and glee of the newly-spiritual or of brand new Reiki practitioners the way a cowboy might regard a child with a bouquet of balloons, taking an enthusiastic stroll in Pipe Cactus National Monument. The […]

Intensifying inner conflict–intentionally as a technique–can be used to stimulate awareness and transformation. Try this: Pit an old way of life you’re addicted to against a new way of life you long for but are scared of. Instead of trying to get rid of your fear and anxiety with some other technique, come into the […]

Conflict can be used as fuel for Inner Work, to promote spiritual transformation. Whenever we attempt significant change we engage conflict about whether to remain the same—in the ‘comfort’ of our familiar blind spots—or whether to hazard new states of Being. Any wish to become more aware, responsible, or capable creates a clash, however subtle, […]

Following lack of application, Perfectionism may be the second biggest obstacle to Inner Work. Your biggest block to Waking Up will directly relate to unconscious defense strategies you use to cope with deep fears. If you work hard to avoid blame, to compete for love, or to feel adequate, Perfectionism may be a key survival […]

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” Carl Jung Do you notice what you are doing, or do you do things without being aware of and deciding to do them? Take scratching for example, playing with your hair, crossing your legs, reaching for another handful of […]

What is the difference between Psychological Work and Inner Work? Aim is the primary difference. Psychological Work generally aims at functional social adaptation. Inner Work aims at awakening; enlightenment. Gradually-increasing self-knowledge and Presence in the moment are more immediate goals that contribute greatly to a meaningful life. Psychological Work and Inner Work both aim to […]