by Sandra Ingerman: One night I had a powerful dream. I was standing around a water cooler with a group of coworkers. 

Our conversation seemed to be cordial, but I became aware that some of the workers were sending psychic/invisible “punches” to the others. I would say to one who’d been punched, “Are you okay?” And then to the other, “Did you see what you just did?” I was shocked by how unconscious people were of their behavior.

My dream showed the power of our invisible interactions. When we observe how people behave, there may not seem to be any hostility. We may see a smile on the face of someone listening to us. But what is happening on an invisible level?

We have an invisible dimension that we call spirit—an aspect I call “who we are beyond our skin.” We can’t see this part of ourselves, but together with body and mind it makes up our whole being. Whenever we interact with others in the physical world an invisible exchange of energy is taking place too.

Here are some common phrases we use to describe the behavior of others.

I felt beaten down.

He was kicked when he was down.

She stabbed me in the back.

I felt like there were daggers coming out of his eyes.

The group was held hostage by his behavior.

The room was filled with explosive energy.

I made a suggestion but I was shot down.

The energy of violence acts on an invisible, psychic level, but it impacts both our physical and emotional health. The energy is palpable. We simply do not feel well on any level when we live and work in an environment that is filled with anger or fear.

All indigenous cultures understand the difference between sending energy, such as anger, and merely expressing it. When someone expresses anger he or she is simply acknowledging the feeling of anger, but the anger has no force or movement that could cause harm to another. In our culture, where we only acknowledge what is happening on a visible level, we deny this other level of awareness, so we send our thoughts like “poison arrows” unconsciously, not realizing the harm we do.

We use the term “sending thoughts” but what kind of thoughts are we sending? Are the thoughts we send to others filled with love, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness? Or are they filled with hate, anger, and fear?

It is important to understand that having emotions and expressing emotions is part of the human condition. We know from research conducted that when we don’t express our emotions illness can occur. As human beings it is our right to have and express the range of feelings from joy and love to fear and anger. Expressing our emotions makes us feel alive.

At the same time it is important for us to look at what kind of situations and interactions trigger us. We must stop the reaction and learn how to express our thoughts and feelings while at the same time transforming the energy to positive energy that is healing energy for the planet.

Throughout time spiritual teachings have taught that our outer world is a reflection of our own inner state of consciousness.  When we look at the environmental pollution and the state of the world today we are seeing a reflection of our own inner world. If we want to change the world we need to focus on changing ourselves. And this includes the need to be more conscious of the thoughts we send out.

Here are some simple ways that you can work with to transform energy:

BREATHE: Breathing is one of the simplest ways to transform energy. When you are in a state of reaction your breathing becomes shallow. By breathing deeply you naturally transform your reactive state.

SET AN INTENTION: When you feel upset just say the following statement to yourself: “I need to express how I am feeling right now, and I ask that the energy of my  feelings be transformed into love and light so I am feeding the world with love.”

THINK OF A PRECIOUS IMAGE: The energy behind your emotions goes out to all living beings. If confronted by someone who evokes strong emotions think of a loved one and impose his or her image on the face of the person challenging you. For example, you might work with the face of a baby kitten, puppy, or your favorite flower. What thoughts do you want to send to those you love?

USE THE POWER OF WORDS: Spiritual traditions teach that words are vibration and the words we use effect our lives. As children many of us used the phrase “abracadabra”. This is actually an Aramaic phrase “Abraq ad habra” and means, “I will create as I speak.” Use words throughout the day that remind you of the energy of love.

BE GRATEFUL: Think about what you are grateful for. Being grateful always transforms your current state of consciousness.

  PROJECT STRENGTH: Don’t pity others whom you perceive as suffering—this only pushes them deeper into a hole. When you see people in their divine light and perfection you help give them the strength they need to deal with their troubles.

CONNECT WITH NATURE: Water can wash away your pain. As you wash visualize negative energy flowing from you and being transformed into light.  As you stand in the wind imagine the wind carrying what needs to be released and being transformed into light. Light a candle and imagine the fire transmuting your intense feelings. Or you can bury your troubles in the earth with the intention that the energy be transformed to love.

  SURROUND YOURSELF IN LIGHT: If you feel someone is being energetically hostile toward you, imagine a protective light surrounding you. Some people think of being surrounded by white light. I imagine being enclosed in a translucent blue egg. Find a color that works for you.