Spiritual Etiquette
in the World What kind of energy are you running?
by Suzanne Matthiessen
As a teenager in the early 70s I was
already deep into spiritual and metaphysical studies when I came
across books by Leadbetter, Blatavasky, Besant and Bailey. All four
practitioners of Theosophy were Western pioneers in the acknowledgement
of human energy fields and the influence our personal energy (including
thoughts) has on people both close in proximity to us and the collective
populace. Their works were first published in the late 1800s and
early 1900s, and naturally received massive criticism from the scientific
and medical establishments, as well as religious organizations who
find their work “threatening.”
The work of these teachers regarding the nature of energy resonated
as Truth to me, and became thematic to my life and work over the
past three decades. My studies lead me to see that “chi” (life-force
energy) was accepted as fact in Eastern cultures for centuries—it
was Western thought that fought it. While practicing massage therapy,
I obtained certification in Polarity Therapy, an energy-based healing
system created by Dr. Randolph Stone. Progressing through life, I
studied Shiatsu, biokinesiology, flower essences, homeopathy, and
became certified in hypnotherapy and classical Feng Shui. I studied
with various spiritual teachers and gained intimate understanding
of the charkas and how spiritual kundalini energy merges with and
moves through a physical body that is unblocked, and sits stagnant
in one that is obstructed. I studied extensively the use of power
in both spiritually constructive and destructive ways, and experienced
those who abused power on a first-hand level. This lead to my complete
realization beyond head knowledge and into experiential wisdom that
energy is everything, and that indeed our personal energy (choices,
thoughts, actions) influences our own well-being, as well as impacting
everyone around us. From there, I felt called to write and teach
about following codes of honorable behavior on the path to higher
consciousness, a.k.a. “spiritual etiquette.”
Two things modern quantum physics and neuroscience are proving that
those who practice metaphysics have known without need for scientific
quantification are a) we are all intuitive, and b) energy is “contagious.” The
more we refine our awareness and sensitivity to people and our surroundings—both
physical and non-physical attributes—the more we can accurately “read” these
two realities on a conscious level.
This degree of elevated awareness comes
with a concurring responsibility regarding the impact we have on
others and our environment in both small and broad scales when we
see that everything and everyone on the planet is interconnected.
All actions have an effect—some are more subtle than others;
however, there are no insignificant choices. As I have said repeatedly
in my columns, we don’t “get away” with anything
on the spiritual and metaphysical planes, although we sometimes might
think we do.
I had no idea that what is completely offered in service by me in
answering that call from God/Source/Spirit to speak openly about
egoic shadows would push so many people’s buttons—especially
those who consider themselves “spiritual!” But I’ve
realized that with all of the expounding by spiritual teachers, progressive
politicians, and social activists to follow Gandhi’s plea for
each of us to “Be the change we wish to see in the world,” the
reality is that change is considered the number one thing human beings
fear the most. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, the notion
of change can be paralyzing.
However, if we are to shift the dire course that collective humanity
is on, we must transcend that fear. Before we can initiate change
globally, we must begin within and be the change we wish to see in
ourselves. That way, our personal energy field will rise to a higher
state of existence and radiate outward, touching all beings. It’s
quantum physics in action, and no less that 100% effort is being
asked of each of us to “step it up” in terms of clearing
the inner obstacles that prevent us from actualizing awakened consciousness.
There comes a point in our collective spiritual journey that it’s
no longer about “us”—our personal dramas, wounds,
desires—for the needs of the whole are greater than those of
the individual.
Many human beings are being run by a multitude of fears, beyond the
basic fear of change. Those consciously choosing to manipulate, intimidate
and/or control others are fully cognizant of their actions and methodologies,
whether it’s within governments, large corporations, mainstream
media, or anyone you allow to have power and influence over you.
The latter category can include past and present lovers, family,
teachers, religious pundits, politicians, employers, co-workers,
etc. Then there are self-created, ingrained and conditioned fears,
based on past experiences or indoctrinations of fearful belief systems.
