How To Restore Spiritual Energy

The Problem with Selflessness

Do you ever feel like you've gone above and beyond to impress others? Or that you prioritize others' needs, desires, and feelings before your own? Do you feel resentful, frustrated, overwhelmed, or depleted as a result of this? Do you feel cut off from what your body, mind, and spirit require to function at their best?

If you were reared in the United States, you were probably taught at a young age that selflessness and altruism are noble values. Many of us were chastised for being selfish with our possessions and time, and were taught that we should prioritize the needs and desires of others before our own.

What are the consequences of this? Adults who are too preoccupied with managing the expectations and sentiments of others to take care of themselves. Many of my clients have expressed feelings of guilt as a result of their actions “putting their own needs first.” To be a good leader, according to most leadership manuals, one must be unselfish. I've spent most of my adult life trying to unlearn these deeply ingrained cultural notions that make me feel exhausted and drive me to ignore my inner compass.

While I don't condone selfishness in the sense of being inconsiderate of others, I do feel that one should be concerned with one's own enjoyment and experience of life first and foremost. Many of us have been taught that we are not only in charge of, but also responsible for how others feel. No, we aren't. Only our feelings are under our control.

The instructor, Goenkaji, taught me in my Vipassana training, a 10-day silent course in which we sat still in meditation for about 10 hours per day, that as adults, we are responsible for 100% of our feelings and mental suffering—our sadness, anger, anxiety, fear, discomfort, jealousy, hatred, comparison, worry, anticipation, and mental/emotional stress—not 50%, not 75%, not 95%, but 100%. This is a game-changing statement for many of us, challenging the mental and emotional framework we've been taught.

While this statement initially surprised and perplexed me, bringing up feelings of shame as I reflected on times when I had blamed someone or something (my job, my family, my upbringing, my lack of time, life) for how I felt, and anger as I reflected on how people do inflict pain and suffering on others all the time (slavery, genocide, racism, sexism, homophobia, murder, gaslighting, the list goes on…), I have since come to

Not because it has made my mental pain go away, but because it reminds me (and I still forget) that I am in charge of mending the individual and generational trauma as well as cultural conditioning that has influenced my suffering.

Yes, only I have the ability to alleviate my own mental anguish. Rather of succumbing to blame or judgment and waiting for some external event to change so that I can feel better, be happier, or suffer less, it is up to me to assess and address how I am feeling from the inside out.

Again, we should not expect to be free of pain by adopting the mindset that we are 100 percent responsible for how we feel. We're human…we form attachments and expectations, which are at the root of all pain – attachments to things and people that are ultimately fleeting (as everything is), and unmet expectations we place on ourselves, others, and our lives. To maintain our self-image, we instinctively blame people and events.

Also, as I already stated, things beyond our control DO have the ability to cause us suffering. And sometimes we need to experience the agony for a while before we're ready to recover.

But, with that stated, we can take responsibility for our mental anguish when we're ready, reclaiming our power in the process, which takes me back to why I was prompted to write this post…

All of this necessitates self-care and repetition. As a result, we must question the notion that selflessness is a good thing. Why? Because we learn to live outside of ourselves when we take a selfless perspective. With time, we become so focused on the other that we lose our natural ability to be acutely aware of what our own bodies, brains, and souls require. We come to a halt “paying regular visits to oneself,” which we're naturally disposed to do as youngsters. We then begin to focus more on the things that are beyond our control, such as our inner landscape, rather than the ones that are under our control.

So, how can we apply this knowledge to better our life, our well-being, our ability to experience more joy and less pain, and to shine our light on the world? Here are some of the techniques I've found to be most effective in drawing my energy back in and transforming how I feel from the inside out.

Ways to Instantly Take Your Power Back

One of the most significant strategies for bringing one's attention and concentration back to oneself is to do this. There's an old adage that says, “Energy flows where attention flows.” We pull our energy back in when we focus our attention on our body and how we feel at the level of feeling. All emotions and thoughts begin at the level of sensation in the body, so we integrate what we're going through far more efficiently when we process at this level through embodiment—which simply means being present for the feelings in the body rather than responding or ruminating in the mind.

Another excellent approach to bring our attention and energy back into ourselves and the present moment is to feel our feet against the ground. Take a deep breath and bring your awareness to your feet on the floor, feeling the sensations on the bottoms of your feet if you find yourself caught up in your thoughts. You can feel your garments and the air touching your skin at this point. Even better, remove your shoes and stand or walk barefoot on the ground (learn more about the science of Earthing).

Nonjudgmental awareness of the current moment, your sensations, thoughts, emotional triggers, environment, and the conduct of others is what mindfulness entails. It's the act of carefully observing without reacting. We're focused on how we're receiving the present while we're mindful. Begin by consciously noting the colors, objects, and other aspects in your direct line of sight to develop your mindfulness capacity. And the next time you're having a discussion with someone, practice seeing them clearly – the characteristics in their face, the colors of their attire, and other details of their appearance, voice, and facial emotions. Not with a critical eye, but with an open mind. Then note how all of these observations make you feel – what judgments come up, how often does your thoughts wander from the present now, what do you feel in your body (worry, ease), are you provoked by this person?

And recognizing all of this without condemning yourself is what truly makes this a mindfulness practice. The key to mindfulness is to avoid identifying with the ideas and feelings you're having. This is not to say that we should dismiss them; in fact, ignoring ideas and feelings makes them stickier. Mindfulness practice teaches us to accept and be with our feelings, whether they are pleasant or terrible.

Meditate if you wish to improve your embodiment and awareness. One of the most effective ways to interact with yourself, learn about the nature of your mind, and connect with how you're feeling is to practice regular meditation. To begin started, try sitting motionless and focusing on your breath for five minutes, or use the Insight Timer App to listen to free guided meditations.

Another effective technique to connect with yourself and shift your condition is to set aside time to put words to how you're feeling and release any festering thoughts onto paper. Use any of the following prompts to get started:

• What has been the most recurrent notion in my mind today? Yesterday? Is this thought beneficial to me?

Did you know that the brain and nervous system receive more messages from the heart than the other way around? The heart is where we digest emotion, and coherence aids in the efficient processing and shifting of feelings and emotions.

Place your hands over your heart, feel your heartbeat, and begin breathing into your heart area for at least two minutes while sitting or standing still. Concentrate on the sensations of your heartbeat and breath. This causes the heart and brain waves to align, which is linked to positive emotions like thankfulness. More information and strategies for bringing your head and heart into alignment can be found at HeartMath.

Expect to take a long time to perfect any of these skills. These techniques take a lifetime to master, so be patient, kind, and compassionate with yourself while you work on them. We can't merely read about it; we have to be dedicated to doing it in order for the advantages to be realized.

About the Author: Allie Andrews

Allie has partnered with 65 organizations and helped hundreds of achievers and workaholics discover a pace and rhythm to living that feels sustainable and nourishing in her ten years in the wellness and coaching sector.

Allie helps her clients increase their impact while prioritizing their health, improving their relationships, and following their passions as a coach.

Allie is a licensed health coach, yoga teacher, and sex and relationship counselor who has been studying personal improvement for her whole life.

How do I recharge my spirit?

It's critical to pay attention to your thinking when it comes to recharging your personal batteries. It's difficult to recharge when we're thinking about the things that stress us out. Here are some suggestions for calming and energizing your mind:

Make a list of your accomplishments

It's natural to feel as if you can't keep up or that you're not contributing enough. Sit down and make a short list of your successes if you're feeling overwhelmed. This might provide you with the motivation and energy you need to keep moving forward.

Take breaks from things and people that bring you down

Take a break from particular people or situations if they are bringing you down. This may include putting certain relationships on wait until you have the energy to address them.

Spend time with close friends and family

Good people tend to exude positive energy. Spend more time with those who lift you up rather than those who drag you down to recharge.

Avoid multitasking

Multitasking is an easy way to become anxious. Instead of multitasking, which increases your risk of making mistakes, concentrate on completing one task at a time. Making a checklist might assist you in remaining focused and keeping track of your accomplishments.

Take a break from technology

On social media, other people's lives often appear “perfect,” but this is rarely the case. It can be stressful to feel as if you have to live up to a specific standard. Put your social media accounts on hold.

Do something artsy

Art is a wonderful method to relax an overworked mind. Get out your art supplies and start drawing or painting. Many retailers also provide coloring books with intricate patterns designed to help people relax.

Write in a journal

Keeping a journal might help you relieve stress by allowing you to express your emotions. At the start or conclusion of each day, try to write for at least five minutes. This can also assist you in resolving any issues you may be having.

How do I change my inner energy?

• Change Your Energy in Three Easy Steps
• You start to open up when you start disrupting your mindless routines. You can discharge old energy and attract new, positive energy by opening up. 3) Shift your perspective.

What are the symptoms of negative energy in a body?

To perceive the small changes in vibrations in and around us, you don't have to be a monk. You can quickly recognize and learn the indicators that you are surrounded by bad energy and need to get rid of it if you pay close attention. Here are a few examples:

1. You're restless and fidgety.

2. You can't get a good night's sleep.

5. You have a proclivity for absorbing the negative opinions of others.

6. You are prone to making rash decisions.

7. When you meet certain people, you become angry and your energy levels drop.

Your thoughts, statements, interactions with others, and even the spaces of your house and office where you spend a lot of time are all significant concentrations of your energy. If you see any of the above indicators of negative energy in or around you, there are a few things you may do to get rid of it:

How long does it take to recharge your energy?

Fitting a recharge into your day shouldn't be a difficult task. It doesn't have to be expensive or disrupt your routine to regain your vitality. For the majority of the suggestions listed above, 5 to 15 minutes will enough.

How do you recharge your chakras?

According to Malaspina, one of the best ways to establish chakra balance is to align your physical body by:

Yoga poses for each chakra can help fine-tune its energy. Here are some yoga practices that can help you clear each of your chakras.

Root chakra

The root chakra, also known as the foundation chakra, reflects your foundation. Tree Pose, as well as other balancing poses like Mountain or Warrior, according to Terrones, are excellent for creating a better link with your body's base.

How can I energize my brain?

1. Take some time to meditate. Mindfulness meditation has a wide range of health advantages that aren't just mental. It strengthens the immune system, improves interpersonal interactions, and decreases stress and anxiety. Of course, there are mental benefits as well—the vast majority of regular meditators have more attention, concentration, and awareness than their non-meditating counterparts. Finding a peaceful, pleasant area to meditate is pretty straightforward; all you have to do is set out 15 minutes or more to clear your mind of thoughts, consciously letting each one go until you reach a state of pure mindfulness. It may take some time to become accustomed to the procedure, but once you do, you'll notice yourself becoming more hyper-focused in ordinary settings.

How do I awaken my spiritual power?

Seven Ways to Boost Your Spiritual Well-Being

• Examine your spiritual foundation. You are merely asking yourself questions about who you are and what you mean when you explore your spiritual essence.