UNIVERSE WITHIN

by Gwen Randall-Young

What kind of energy are you putting into the world? We all have an energy field around us; it is an extension of the energy associated with our inner thoughts and feelings. You have, no doubt, had the experience of entering a room, or a home, where, just before your arrival, two people were in conflict. Although they may be smiling now, you can feel the tension in the air.
You may also know people who have “good energy.” You always feel better after having spent time with them, and even speaking with them briefly can lift your spirits. They always seem to be happy, upbeat and positive.
Then, there are those whose energy feels very toxic. You may feel tense, unsettled, wary, distrustful and even physically ill around these people. Sometimes you may feel violated, especially if the person directs the energy toward you.
I believe we are constantly reading other people’s energy, whether we are consciously aware of it or not. It is a built-in, instinctual trait. Others too, read, or feel, our energy. The climate in a home or office is the result of the combined energies of the people in the space.
Unfortunately, just as one oil spill can contaminate a huge expanse of ocean, one individual with negative, confrontational or toxic energy can contaminate an otherwise positive environment. Laboratory experiments have also shown that such negative energy can result in a suppression of the immune system in those subjected to it. Ongoing exposure to such toxicity can pose a health hazard.
This is a little like what happens with second-hand smoke. The individual with the toxic energy first compromises his or her own inner environment. If that person does not then take responsibility for the energy, and deal with it and transform it, the internal feelings of frustration, anger, annoyance or impatience are often directed toward others. Because we all have different levels of tolerance, it may be even more harmful to the recipients, than to the perpetrator.
Children are extremely sensitive to the anger, judgement and criticism of parents or teachers. Some individuals are powerfully affected, as a toxic outburst may trigger memories of difficult or traumatic events or circumstances in their past.
Historically, in our culture, we have not been terribly conscious of the effect of our energy on others. There seems to be a belief that if one is angry or frustrated with a store clerk, a child, a partner or a driver on the road, it is okay to vent those emotions. Justification for these “toxic spills” seems proportional to the amount of inner turmoil being experienced. This sounds dangerously like the abusive partner who says he would not have been forced to hit his spouse if she had not made him so angry.
The truth is we all must take responsibility for our own emotional ecology. We cannot blame others for the way we react. We must do our part to contribute to a healthy emotional climate, wherever we are. We can often diffuse the toxic effect of another’s energy by refusing to engage with it.
Certainly, meeting the toxicity of another with our own toxic response is a recipe for disaster. It perpetuates a downward spiral from which there is no positive outcome. When this happens, the negative physiological effects are even more pronounced.

Our first task is to ensure that we maintain a healthy inner state. We do this by giving up all judgement, criticism, blame, gossip and negative thinking. We do this by giving ourselves other options besides choosing anger or frustration. We get our egos out of the way. Is this a tall order? You bet it is.
Once you make a conscious choice that you want to change, you can utilize techniques such as meditation to keep you balanced and calm. You can activate your inner observer, to gain awareness of your reactions.
Not only will you begin to clean up your little corner of the world, but you will also become a role model for others.

Gwen Randall-Young is an author and psychotherapist in private practice. For more articles and information about her books and CDs, visit www.gwen.ca (See display ad this issue.)