Many of us imbibe of a multitude of different spiritual ideas and frameworks, some of which go back thousands of years and some of which are new, and many of which are confused memes on Facebook.
Orientating to a particular path, like Tantra, helps enormously in cutting through the crap and getting clear on what’s real, and what’s not.
Of course, all Paths are constructs, and not reality themselves either… but they point TO reality, and provide frameworks and tools designed to support our full immersion in reality as it is – waking up!
This article on ‘Negative Energy’ from Christopher Wallis is part of a series that he’s written articulating ‘near enemies to the truth’ – ideas that are commonly held in spiritual circles, and bandied about willy nilly, but that are false. These ideas can therefore prevent us from waking up and becoming liberated because they can keep us stuck in wrong-thinking.
Tantra is very clear, with precise terms designed to describe aspects of consciousness – for example the 36 Tattvas, or Principles of Reality. (Find them on Page 125 – 150 of Tantra Illuminated).
Energy is one of those terms that needs to be defined accurately to make sure we know what we’re talking about, and that we’re all talking about the same thing. Christopher says:
‘There’s only one definition that applies across the board, in physics as well as spirituality: ‘the power to do work’ or ‘the power to transform’.’
outlines the five layers of the body, of which the third layer is the energy body. This is also called the nested layers of Consciousness (Page 92 – 100, Tantra Illuminated).
So within us, our energy body is the part of us that has the power to do work, or the power to transform. When we digest emotions, it is the energy body doing that digestion. The more emotions we can digest, the stronger our energy body becomes, the more emotions we can digest. It’s an upward spiral of the best kind.
Christopher goes on to define negative energy in this way:
In light of this definition, what would ‘negative energy’ mean? It could only mean some force that somehow drains your energy, reducing your power to do work, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual work. …
So ‘negative energy’ in the literal sense does not exist, nor is there any such thing as an ‘energy vampire’—that phrase usually just refers to a needy human who’s willing to take as much as you’re willing to give, and who doesn’t deserve to be demonized for that. It’s your job to shepherd your resources, not theirs.
That means that if someone is concerned about negative energy… the way to respond is to turn around and look instead at building one’s own energy body, and having clear and powerful boundaries. That is where the spiritual work really lies.
You can explore this in your own life by examining the places where you feel there is ‘negative energy’.
Take a look at all those places and experiment with reframing the situation. Ask yourself:
- How would I feel in this situation, or with this person, if I had clear, strong boundaries?
- How would I feel in this situation, or with this person, if I was standing in my power?
- How would I feel in this situation, or with this person, if I was honouring my needs?
Each of those questions is asking the same thing, but from a different angle. So find the variation that gives you the clearest answer.
And if you feel like your energy is being drained by a situation or a person… the first question to ask is:
- How am I giving away my power here?
Because there is no such thing as negative energy. There is only energy, and the flow of energy. Blaming negative energy for your experience… will keep you stuck and unable to do the work necessary to build your energy body.
Taking full responsibility for your experience of energy on the other hand… will point you in the direction of what’s needed. For example, you may need to set clearer boundaries with people. You may need to confront the fear of setting clear boundaries. You may need to digest old samskaras related to setting boundaries…
See how all of that is about you, and what you need to do?
It’s never about what’s “outside” of you… and always about what’s “inside” of you.
Welcome to Tantra. The ultimate practice in self-responsibility, that leads to mastery of both energy and power.
