“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.” -Nikola Tesla
A couple of years ago, I had an experience that radically shifted my understanding of the flow of energy and connections.
I attended a week-long breathwork training with 20 other facilitators in New Mexico. It was our last day, and the vibe that filled the room was a heady cocktail of kinetic body energy stirred with the intimacy of emotional rawness.
As is customary, we gathered in a circle to arrive in the physical space and bring ourselves into the present moment for our last opportunity of the week to be led in a breath experience by our teacher, the master healer David Elliott.
To my right sat Melissa, whom I had grown close with throughout the training. Her warm smile and kind eyes made it easy to slip into heartfelt conversations. We lay down to settle into our cozy corner near an open slider door. A gentle breeze tucked us in as we descended into the familiar rhythmic breath pattern.
Breathwork, by its very nature, is meant to help bring you out of the repetitive thoughts in your mind and tune into both the internal and external felt senses of your body. It’s an active form of meditation that allows you to be with your sensory experience, not consumed by it, and let it move through you without the need to hold on or escape from discomfort. It is a truth-teller.
If you allow yourself the grace, breathwork can move you to a different level of experience with respect to your mind-body-spirit connection. This is a realm where primordial wisdom meets modern understanding; where the human body isn't just flesh and bones, but an energetic system wired with a circuit of life force.
This was when it happened – just as I let go of what I was supposed to be feeling – a bright flash of light appeared behind my closed eyes, and a jolt came from my right. The intensity of it arrested my breathing, and I was in a deafeningly quiet space, my body spilling out a million points of light in all directions. Even though we weren’t touching, I knew it was Melissa’s consciousness channeling the universal energy flow.
I can’t tell you how long I stayed in that moment as time dilated and I was no longer shrink-wrapped in the confines of my physical body or identity. Something in that space guided me to reach for Melissa. The greater consciousness connected us. All at once, I began to sync with her heartbeat; I could feel her energetic signature pulsing as I clasped her hand. I became aware of our breathing as one.
As we entered the deep rest phase of our breath journey, an intense breeze filtered through the room through the open slider. Dense air raked across our bodies. It began to rain, rare for June in the high desert.
Awakening my energetic senses transformed me. I feel more attuned to myself, more connected with others and the world around me. The veil of disconnection has lifted, and in its place is a sense of unity, a dance of energy that I am a part of. This shared energy exchange awakened an offline essence of my being - the ‘Light Body.’
The Light Body might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it's actually a deeply spiritual concept. It's also known by other names, such as the 'rainbow body,' 'energy body,' or 'body of bliss' in various spiritual traditions.
The Light Body is believed to be a higher vibrational version of our physical body, an ethereal counterpart intertwined with our existence. It's said to be composed of pure energy or light. While that might seem a bit 'out there,' think about it this way: if everything, at its core, is energy, then the concept of an energetic body isn't so far-fetched.
The Light Body is associated with heightened spiritual awareness, higher states of consciousness, and even transcendent abilities. Achieving the 'Light Body' state is considered the pinnacle of spiritual development. It's not an overnight process, though. It often involves practices such as meditation, breathwork, ethical living, and the conscious cultivation and refinement of Qi, including balancing the Dantians.
You might know the term 'chakra' from yoga or meditation practices. In the Chinese tradition, a similar concept exists, called 'Dantians.' Essentially, Dantians are major energy centers within the human body. They are considered crucial in the cultivation of Qi, our life-force energy.
Chinese tradition identifies three primary Dantians:
1. Lower Dantian (Lower Elixir Field): Situated around the navel or slightly below it, this is often considered the root of a person's Qi. Think of it as your energy battery; it's related to your physical strength and vitality.
2. Middle Dantian (Middle Elixir Field): This Dantian is located in the chest, corresponding to the heart. It's connected with emotional energy and expression.
3. Upper Dantian (Upper Elixir Field or "Third Eye"): Located in the head, this Dantian is associated with spiritual insight, wisdom, and intuition.
In Qigong, Tai Chi, and certain martial arts styles, individuals practice exercises to cultivate and balance the energy in these Dantians. The goal? To maintain physical health, emotional stability, and enhance spiritual consciousness.
So, how do Dantians and the Light Body connect? Essentially, the harmonious flow and cultivation of Qi in your Dantian are considered vital steps toward developing your Light Body. By nurturing your Lower Dantian, you build a solid energetic foundation. Balancing your Middle Dantian, you regulate emotional energy. Activating your Upper Dantian, you tap into spiritual wisdom.
By progressively working on these levels, you raise the vibrational frequency of your energy to a point where your Light Body can be fully realized. Remember, this is a journey, often described as a lifelong process of growth and self-realization.
In the modern world, these concepts might seem esoteric or mystical. However, they offer a framework to understand ourselves and our potential in a more profound way. As always, approach them with an open mind.
Here's an easy-to-follow technique that can help you let go of the mind's inclination to analyze the energetic field, and shift your focus to body-based awareness.
Step 1: Find a Calm Space
Start by finding a quiet, comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. You can choose to sit in a chair, on a meditation cushion, or even lie down if that's more comfortable. The key is to ensure your body is relaxed and your posture allows for natural breathing.
Step 2: Deep Breathing
Close your eyes and start by taking several deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale through your mouth. This practice helps to relax the body and serves as a signal to your mind that you're transitioning into a different state of awareness.
Step 3: Mindful Body Scan
Start a slow, mindful body scan. This is a technique where you mentally 'scan' your body from head to toe, consciously releasing tension and observing any sensations. Start from the top of your head, gradually move down to your toes. The key here isn't to judge or analyze any sensation but merely to observe it.
Step 4: Grounding in the Lower Dantian
Now, bring your attention to the Lower Dantian area, around or slightly below your navel. Visualize it as a warm ball of energy. As you breathe in, imagine this energy expanding. As you breathe out, picture it radiating throughout your body. This practice helps to ground your awareness in your body, cultivating a solid energy foundation.
Step 5: Centering in the Middle Dantian
Next, shift your focus up to your Middle Dantian, in the heart area. Feel the rhythm of your heart beating, the rise and fall of your chest with each breath. Recognize the emotional energy in this area without trying to alter or make sense of it.
Step 6: Expanding to the Upper Dantian
Finally, bring your awareness to your Upper Dantian, around the area of your forehead. Try to refrain from engaging in intellectual thinking or analysis here. Simply be aware of this area, and if you like, visualize a calming light or energy here.
Step 7: Unifying the Awareness
For the last step, envision a luminous stream of energy flowing smoothly between your three Dantians. Feel this energy permeating your entire body, connecting you as a unified whole.
Step 8: Closing the Practice
When you're ready to conclude, take a few more deep breaths, savoring this state of body-based awareness. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes, slowly open your eyes, and return to the external world. Carry this sense of connectedness and inner harmony with you throughout your day.
Remember, this practice isn't about intellectual understanding but about experiencing the body and its energy fields in a direct, experiential way. Practice regularly, and with time, your awareness will shift naturally from a mind-focused to a body-focused approach.