E-N-E-R-G-Y:  MORE THAN TINGLES, SHAKES, TONES AND FLASHES!!
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                    BY   RANJAN   BOSE

             <copyright held by author, 1994>

                   >>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<


{ My obsessive preoccupation with 'energy' and my intense
  curiosity about how it works, has often invaded and became
  apparent in my forum posts and during interactions with
  friends. It was about time that I sat down and looked at it
  in an organized manner! This article resulted! }

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PREAMBLE: Energy is such an important term and concept,
particularly for those with inclination towards the revived
spiritualism that we see as a major part of the New Age
Phenomenon! We use the term *energy* often and in many diverse
ways at that. Come to think of it, our physical existence itself
would end if we were suddenly deprived of energy. Plunging us
into another Ice Age!!

        Many of us know that although energy manifests itself in
many different forms, all of these forms are interconvertible.
Electricity can be converted into heat or light and vice versa
(the solar batteries for example, convert light into
electricity). That, energy cannot be created or destroyed is also
recognized as true. This implies that all energy that will ever
be is already here! The worldwide shortage of energy really
refers to a shortage in the availability of proper sources of
energy!


COSMIC ENERGY: In addition to the above manifestations of
'physical' energies, there is the subtle form of energy that we
all perceive but which is so difficult to measure directly. Some
call it the Life Force, Cosmic Energy, Chi, Ki, Prana, Mana, and
by many other names. Those on the mystic/occultist/psychic paths
are very aware of this 'energy' and sense it not only as
emanating from live forms, but also from certain special
inanimate reservoirs such as crystals, gems etc., which can be
called the natural 'batteries' of sorts.


PERCEPTION: Some perceive the cosmic energy as light, sensations,
or as sounds, while others perceive it as thoughts and
impressions. Even subtler perceptions exist perhaps, each bound
and shaped by one's beliefs and by personal feelings of greater
comfort with certain modalities of perception, somewhat alike the
perception of reality itself. Therefore, some of us are more
visual, while others utilize other different channels of
perception/sensations better. The ever constant variety that
characterizes us as individuals!

         Those who have just begun to perceive these subtle
vibrations (for that is how those feel to quite a few,
initially), often wonder if they are merely 'imagining' it all.
They have yet to acquire the true insight into the powers of
imagination, the key that opens doors to the magical hall, to the
magnificient world of the 'remaining' facets of total reality.
Even very advanced beings amongst us, when caught off-guard, give
a glimpse into how deep-rooted our disbelief is in the powers of
imagination. Rigors of everyday living in this physical reality
do not leave much room for imagination to flourish, unless it
becomes a means to one's livelihood! Unfortunately, in those
circumstances, it often becomes self-limiting as well, a specific
means to some narrow end. Its enormous powers remain unexplored,
for the most part! Exercises in visualization and similar
techniques, allow one to expand its utility considerably, if only
we would let them! With full faith!!

        In making that transformation from a physical framework
of reference, into exploring other aspects of reality, insofar as
the 'perception of energy' is concerned, the natural mode is to
begin with the physical and proceed onwards from there. Early
exercises aimed at making one familiar with energy and to tune
into it, naturally utilize our physical senses, such as rubbing
the palms together and then visualizing the warmth and physical
sensation triggered by the 'touch' into focusing upon more subtle
forms of energy as our awareness grows, while the actual physical
sensations, originally perceived strongly, wane and grow fainter,
physically and in their importance as tools for tuning-in.


THE BASIS FOR A TECHNIQUE: There are no set exercises, and all
procedures that present themselves intuitively and imaginatively
work. The main ingredient is to set up a situation in which the
modality of perception is 'revved-up' or stepped-up and then
'let-go'. Whether it is touch, or a sharp sound or a flash, such
as created by sitting with eyes closed and opening them very
briefly to look at something blindingly bright and closing the
eyes again to fix the inner focus on the fading and darting
'after-image', procedures like this somehow heighten the
sensitivity of the nervous system. Equivocal as the opinion-poll
might be, it makes sense to conceive of our nervous system as the
interface that allows us to become aware of the cosmic energy,
and indeed it is our nervous system through which this 'cosmic
energy' flows in and out.


SHIFTING AWARENESS: Yet another way of looking at this is to
visualize our 'body or point of awareness' as a monitor of sorts.
Mostly remaining in the physical plane, we are aware of our
surroundings and of our and other people's bodies. Then there are
those instances when our point of awareness recedes into the
mental planes. As a result, we are "lost in our thoughts", lost
in a reverie, or shamelessly daydreaming. This body of awareness
is hardly likely to be a specific function and is perhaps a
derivative of the function of our different neural units and
systems, some sort of a reference point generated by a matrix of
complex functions perhaps, and all of these are not necessarily
physical. Those who dream lucidly, usually know where their point
of awareness exists when they dream, during the REM state. But
what happens to this point or nidus of awareness during the NREM
state? One might be tempted to say that the point of awareness
ceases to exist because the matrix of neural functions that
generated it in the first place is gone, temporaily during sleep.
And yet, a sudden real or perceived danger, snaps it back in
place in one blinding instant! So what is it that keeps track of
where the 'point' is while it is not at the helm of affairs
during deep sleep? What happens to that 'monitor' when we are
dreaming? Or, for that matter, when we are awake??

        Even when we are awake, this body or point of awareness
can, with sufficient practice, be used as a vehicle to explore
other realities. Is vivid daydreaming a form of meditation? Think
about that! Is meditation a day-dream controlled by our spirit??

        If there are subtler bodies, as mystics assure us, other
than the physical, then by shifting our point of awareness, can
we reach into those other planes through an act of will? When we
sense energies during an everyday interaction, is our sensory
apparatus beginning to 'feel' the energies or are we merely
tuning our awareness into a level or plane of our existence from
where we normally receive and send energies all the time?


IS IT A GIFT, OR A SKILL THAT CAN BE ACQUIRED??: We are alive and
all of us possess this cosmic energy. We exist in an ocean of
energy and communicate constantly through it. Even when we are
not aware of such a communication, we are carrying it out
constantly. With awareness, we could perhaps carry this out more
efficiently and seemingly more coherently and powerfully! We must
remember that the same light energy could be focused to become an
intense laser beam, or it can be used to gently illuminate. There
are some astrological indicators that indicate the preferred
modality of perception of these energies in different
individuals. However, the practice and skill really involves in
one becoming more aware of what is already there and happening,
and utilizing it consciously, rather than being on autopilot.


MODALITIES OF PERCEPTION: For most of us, tactile (touch)
sensation is perhaps the most basic sensory faculty. Skin is,
after all, the largest organ of our body! It is little wonder
that many of us feel this 'energy' as tingles, buzzing,
goosebumps, light breezy sensations, pin-pricks, warmth etc. Some
also feel it as tremors. When this happens, usually it means that
perhaps the energy inflow is too intense and is strong enough to
activate our muscles. Tremors and spasms must be regarded as
*warnings* to slow down or to reduce the physical inflow of the
energy. People have been know to suffer from headaches when too
much energy is let in carelessly. The commonest 'physical' reason
for these headaches is perhaps the energy flowing into the
physical space and causing sustained but barely perceptible
muscle spasms in the temple and neck muscles and causing
something similar to the condition that is clinically known as
'tension headaches'. Predisposing conditions, such as extremely
intense concentration, sustained focusing, uncomfortable
surroundings (too cold or hot, too dark, noise) can further
enhance the undesirable experience. In some, the headaches could
also be due to vascular changes, triggered by the nervous
system's response. Other causes might coexist as well.

      There are those individuals who perceive these energies not
just as sensations, but as sounds. Whistles, sharp ringing,
hissing noises, all have been reported. Still others 'see' the
energies as light. Our auric shell (aura) is one such objectified
perception of energy. Though contestable and hard to prove, it is
safe to assume that the 'cosmic-energy' we are talking about is
perhaps of a very high form and frequency and when we feel it as
a sensation or sound or light, its perception is being down-
graded or modulated somehow. So, when one sees an aura, it is
perhaps not the original color associated with the energy itself
that one sees, but a modulated form thereof! Those of us who see
auras with relative ease simply have an efficient down-modulator.
Training and practice helps! Perhaps it would help if we think
about the process of seeing auras not as much as seeing the
'light' directly but seeing the energy in the 'form' of light!
Light is the highest form of energy that we can perceive with our
bare physical senses. Often, higher energy forms or higher
vibrations are perceived after down-modulation as light! The
realm of light, the bodies of light are some such examples.

        This is not absolute, though. Many psychics can 'feel'
the aura better than 'see' those and sometimes can even hear
auras (usually as 'signature' tones). A goodly few, can actually
'feel' these auric energies as sensations in their palms or in
the pit of their stomach when they approach, meet or talk with
others. Some feel autonomic sensations that are akin to mild
nausea or dizziness. All of this goes towards illustrating that
psychic modulation can and does play a significant and
individually varying role in how we perceive the cosmic energy!


THE THICK AND THIN OF IT:  It is not uncommon for people to feel
the perceived psychic energy as something that is dense or light,
thick or thin, etc. Whether, these people are sensitive and can
discriminate between the actual frequencies of benevolent and
malevolent energies (if such beasts do exist! More later!!) is a
moot point. From a purely waveform perspective, the least
coherent the waves are in an energy envelope, the less powerful,
the energy would be, and the less usable the energy would be. Are
these differences in the phase and coherence felt as thick and
thin energies? Before we accept this unconditionally, let us turn
again to the physical world. Let us look at the brain waves (EEG)
for instance. The awake pattern is of low power, incoherent and
asynchronous ('squigglies' going stir-crazy all over the chart!),
as the mind relaxes and proceeds all the way to deep sleep, the
waveform gradually becomes more regular, coherent (in phase) and
appears to increase in power (mostly as a consequence of the
coherence, perhaps). Contrary to popular belief, in most people,
the energies usually perceived as 'light' and haphazard are truly
reflective of their unfocused nature and form in the subjects and
not representative of spiritual ascendancy!

	On the contrary, in those who have learned to harness their
energies, to focus them so to speak, the energy could be
perceived as a thick, dense, almost tangible envelope. The
palpable sensation only indicates the coherence and power and not
the *quality* of the energy! Having said that, I must admit the
possibility that since we are really perceiving the 'modulated'
form of the actual energy, our 'symbols' could perhaps have more
significance than actual perceptions, unlike in a similar
perceptive situation in the physical reality, for the most part.
In the realm of psychic cosmic energies, 'interpretations',
understandably override perceptions, and must be held in higher
trust! So, in other words, if you have already 'trained' yourself
to visualize disruptive energies as "thick", then that would be
the working framework for you. This wide variation and conceptual
flexibility can and does cause much confusion at times,
especially when people from different schools or backgrounds use
similar terms with different connotations!


IS THERE ANY EVIL ENERGY AT ALL?: I, personally, do not believe
that there is any evil energy! That is not to say that there do
not exist 'EVIL STATES' involving undesirable modes of energy
transfers or exchanges! Cosmic energy is "life energy", it flows-
in to sustain, to nurture, to promote growth, love, healing,
contentment and joy, and it flows out from a state of higher
potential (just as is the case for electricity, a prototype
energy) to one of lower or negative potential. When a healer
willingly acts as a channel or conduit of the universal store of
'energy', she establishes herself at a higher 'potential' and the
energy flows to the one that needs to be healed! When a voodoo-
specialist wishes to cast an evil spell on someone, she creates
an energy vacuum or energy void, which sucks in the cosmic energy
from the 'victim'. A similar vacuum is created also by the
negative, whiney and spiteful person, generally knows as an
'energy vampire'! The kind of person who drains you of life and
vigor within minutes of being in conversation with you or
sometimes by just being in the same room as you! Any of us can
act as energy vampires at one time or another, although some of
us specialize in doing so effortlessly, most of the time!


MY ENERGY, HER ENERGY, THE UNIVERSE OF ENERGY: We sometimes
(often?) find it easier to talk of energy in a possessive way. We
exist in a universe of energy. Energy that manifests in many
forms, at times even as matter with mass! We potentially have
access to all of the energy that there is, all the time. When we
feel drained, we are doing that to ourselves because our faith in
our 'connection' with the universe is shaken or weakened. As soon
as that happens, we visualize ourselves as closed compartments
and by our inner choice 'block' ourselves from receiving cosmic
energy and replenishing our stores, as is intended in nature.
This 'arrangement' is difficult to visualize, especially if we
try to do so after getting involved in a 'situation' which has
already begun to drain us. The faith and personal visualization
that enables us to stay connected to the universe of energy in
spiritually difficult times needs to be inculcated and built upon
by repeated affirmations and inner-practice, prior to its actual
use. Specific procedures, such as utilizing certain meditations,
chants, mantras, visualization procedures, are all different ways
of experiencing and being in that inner state where the 'i'
regains its identity with "I"! Easier said than done, you quip?
Yes, but once it is done, the realization is permanent and can be
invoked anytime, even all the time, if so needed!

        I do believe that, despite what many have stated (I am
thinking of Shakti Gawain specifically!), energy is just energy.
It is easier to think of it as having different forms, such as
love, healing, compassion, abundance, peace, etc., but those are
the purposes or goals for which the one and only energy is being
used by us! Like water, which can quench our thirst, bathe and clean
us, wash our utensils, can generate electricity, carry logs from
one shore to another, soothe us as we dip our tired feet in its
cool gentle flow and wade across the shallow part of the sea near
the beach, or use it as a vehicle for transferring healing
energies or blessings! All the same water!! And this very life-
sustaining water can also wreak havoc by its abundance, by its
wild unfettered flow, as happens during incessant rains and
floods!


SO ..., LIKE ..., HOW IS IT DONE?: Since, most of this energy
flow is handled at the mental plane, one needs to be working from
that plane, not only to create a healthy outflow of energy, but
also to prevent an unwelcome drain! Visualization is the primary
technique that can be utilized by one to get in the driver's
seat. Visualization and its motivator, faith are the two
essential requirements. Those who have used it, say that it is
very easy. Those who haven't, disagree! But it is only as
'natural' and "easy" as learning to walk! Ask someone who having
lost the use of his limbs for some time had to relearn what many
of us take for granted! Takes time, but can be done!!

        There are no set procedures and protocols. One's
spiritually-felt comfort level with any given procedure is
crucially important. Affirmations help. The more subjectively
important they are, the more effective they seem to be. There is
much to be said in favor of rolling one's own, when on this ride!
Mantras, postures, incantations, all can be tried and all will
help, but none of these are indispensible. Many of these perhaps
act by grabbing the attention and occupying the conscious monkey
of a mind, anyway, while the innersource does the real work.


SUN IS THE SOURCE OF ENERGY: It is hard not to believe that for
us the sun is the source of all energy! Even cosmic energy!! How
we tap into the source, how we provide ourselves as conduits of
it and how we manifest the projection of this energy varies
amongst us and some of the clues lie in the disposition of the
sun in our astrological charts. Starting at mid-april (exact date
varying by a day or two depending on the year), the first 30 days
respond to the movable fire of aries:


 STARTING     SIDEREAL SUNSIGN  PLANETARY LORDS/ATTRIBUTES

 mid-april         aries           mars/fire/movable
 mid-may           taurus          venus/earth/fixed
 mid-june          gemini          mercury/air/mutable
 mid-july          cancer          moon/water/movable

 mid-august        leo             sun/fire/fixed
 mid-september     virgo           mercury/earth/mutable
 mid-october       libra           venus/air/cardinal
 mid-november      scorpio         mars/water/fixed

 mid-december      sagittarius     jupiter/fire/mutable
 mid-january       capricorn       saturn/earth/cardinal
 mid-february      aquarius        saturn/air/fixed
 mid-march         pisces          jupiter/water/mutable


        I will spare those who are not astrolgers amongst the
readers from a more detailed discussion about the astrological
perspective. Those who share my love for the 'celestial-
wanderers' would easily be able to meditate on the connections
between sun, energy and its expression through us individually,
based on the above information. Such a meditation would be
extremely rewarding when a chart is read by them.


TWO RECOMMENDED BOOKS: Much has been published and written about
cosmic energy. Two inexpensive little books that have truly
touched me with their nuggets of wisdom, are:


1) CREATIVE VISUALIZATION by Shakti Gawain, First published in
   1978 and currently available in the following versions, eg.,

-Gawain, Shakti. Creative Visualization. 144p. 11/1983. Paper.
     $4.99. (ISBN 0-553-27044-3). Bantam Books, Incorporated.
-Gawain, Shakti. Creative Visualization. Canyon, Rainbow,
     illustrator. LC 79-13760. (Illus.). 160p. 11/1978. Paper.
     $9.95. (ISBN 0-931432-02-2). New World Library.


2) Kieft, Kathleen V. Innersource: Channeling Your Unlimited
   Self. 256p. 04/1988. Paper. $4.95. (ISBN 0-345-34651-3).
   Ballantine Books, Incorporated.

 ********************************************************************
 *  It would be unwise and even arrogant to 'conclude' this article *
 *  with any kind of summing-up! I truly believe that the last word *
 *  on this subject has not *emerged* yet. So I offer this article, *
 *  as it stands, to you all reader friends with a humble bow.      *
 ********************************************************************


 Comments and Correspondence to:
 ==============================

 Ranjan Bose
 CIS: 74346,2453


 Snailmail:
 ---------

 P.O. Box 64095
 Ottawa, Ontario
 Canada K1Y 4V1.


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