EVERYTHING IS ENERGY
All interactions are energetic in nature.  In the healing arts, everything we do is energy work.  As Ida Rolf, the developer of Structural Integration or Rolfing™ said, “sight is touch at a distance.” In physics, there is the “Observer Effect” in which the instrument used to observe a particle or object has an impact on the object being observed and, thus, cannot observe the object in its natural state. The energy or presence of the observer has a tangible effect on the object.  This same phenomenon exists in life.  How does it feel to be watched?  Typically, our natural state of being when we are not being observered is marked different from when we are under scrutiny.  Whether we attribute this to energy or not, when we know that everything is energetic in nature, is moot.

Whether we are doing energy work off the body (not touching) or Adv. Somatic Therapy™ (deep structural work), we are working with the energy of the body.  The only difference is our proximity to the body and our mental perspective as we do the work.  If we think that the only time we are “doing energy work” is when we are not touching the body then we will not be open to the transformational effects that work has when we are interacting with the deeper structures of the body.  In order to better understand how we are influencing the bio-energetic system, we need to understand the physical structures that interface with it.

ENERGETIC PHYSIOLOGY
The foundational component of all connective tissue (bone, ligaments, tendons, muscles, fascia etc.) in the body is collagen.  Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals and makes up about 50% of the protein in the body.  What is so impressive about collagen is its organizational characteristics.  Collagen fibers are so highly organized that they are considered crystalline in nature.  That is, they have the potential to hold an ambient piezioelectric charge.  At its simplest level this infers that if mechanical stresses are placed on the structures made from collagen, an electrical potential will be generated.  The greater the potential the more energy will be built up.  This physiology opens up a vast vista of theory and exploration when we talk about the physical energetics of injury and muscle memory.

As a therapist works with the body, either directly or indirectly (directed stretching or prescribed yoga postures, etc.) they are accessing those deeper energetic structures and increasing the ambient bio-electrical charge that surrounds the body.  When we couple this small bit of information with a knowledge of the nervous system and what stimulation of certain portions of that system can do, you are initiating a true potential for not only mental or energetic but also physical transformation on a profound level.

BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN
Back to my student’s assertion that energy work is more enjoyable than bodywork; though it may be easier from the perspective of exertion or application of physical force, it has been my experience that by engaging the tissues while working within the energy of the body, you create a powerful environment for transformation and change, one that wouldn’t necessarily be available if we ONLY did off-body energy work.

Thunder Mountain offered our products, the Transcendence CD, Fudoza Meditation Benches and mini bodywork sessions as well as a mini Spiritual Cartography Reading.  Interestingly, it seems that at these expos, on one day I will  have a full day of bodywork and on the next it will be a full day of readings.  Keeping with tradition, on Saturday I had a full day of readings which prompted me to post this blog.

THE CAVEATE
First I should state that even though I work in Sedona, I am not OF Sedona.  There is a predominance of what is referred to as “woo-woo” in and out of the Sedona area and I really attempt to separate myself from that perception and energy.  Since I have been doing this type and level of work for over 28 years, long before I ever came to Sedona (since I was 8 yrs old), my readings and my work have a pragmatic base while still maintaining the integrity of the energetic information.  So read on, if you dare

SPIRITUAL CARTOGRAPHY
The overwhelming energy / movement of the world today is one of change and transition.  Thus, I created the Spiritual Cartography session.  In a nutshell, the reading takes into account the predominant energetic signature that surrounds the person in that moment and then explores where their energy is moving.  This may be an emphasis that they are focusing on or some other expenditure of some sort.  At the same time, I become aware of the overwhelming influences that are shaping their current situation and, through dialogue, discuss how best the client can approach these issues.

Usually, there are elements or subconscious energies that we are feeding or moving towards that we are not aware of.  A typical example is when a client asks whether they should  do something, as if they haven’t made up their mind about it and yet the unspoken, unrealized energetic information is that they have ALREADY made the decision.  Inevitably when I sense this and point it out, the client immediately receives clarity on it.

Once all the information is out on the table, we will address the client’s goals (spoken or unspoken) and where the energy is moving to in the future.  At this point I usually ask the client if they have any questions or need clarification on any point.    Most questions are addressed during the session itself.

TRANSITION / TRANSFORMATION
True transition or transformation comes upon you like a thief in the night.  It is gradual and wraps itself around you like a gossamer thread.  Typically, unless one has started on a path with intention, this shift occurs imperceptibly, behind the scenes of typical mile-a-minute lives.  As our sense of time progresses so too does the shift grow and adapt to our circumstances, movements and habits, until one day we wake up and find that something glorious has occurred and we are now transformed.

The emphasis that I found in Pahrump, NV on my Spiritual Cartography readings is only a small ripple in the larger ocean of our desire to know what is to come, how we are to get there and what we do once we arrive.  A shift is occuring and just like the beating of the butterfly’s wings, it started long ago and is just now being felt everywhere.  Pay attention to the almost imperceptible promptings in your life and listen with the innocence of a child and you too will know what is to come and be prepared for the unexpected.

Looking over the messages on that forum I noticed that people are becoming overwhelmed by all the problems that are cropping up all over the world.  Whether its the environment, war, starvation, global pollution, etc. they all fall into the problems category.

From my own perspective, I have noticed interesting correlations between what my clients are experiencing within their bodies and what is happening on a global scale.  I will address this in a later blog.

One of the main issues that I have noticed is many pulling back from or ignoring the problems because they don’t know what to do or how to do it. The thinking may be that by not participating, one can’t be blamed or that nothing can be done on such a small scale.

In actuality, I think what Rev. James Parks Morton said in 1990 at the Second Global Forum in Moscow captured the truth of it perfectly:

“The problems we’re dealing with really can’t be isolated. If we’re talking about the environment, by definition the environment doesn’t respect boundaries. Boundaries are man made.”

If we look at our society we isolate ourselves from our environment constantly whether by walls, clothing or attitudes.  It has been centuries since we have lived with the land instead of on it.  This can and has naturally caused a rift or separation between us and our environment and its this rift that we widen when we step back from what we see today.

Understandably, if we look at all the worlds problems as a whole they are overwhelming and unmanageable.  What can one person do, let alone someone who doesn’t have political power or unlimited finances?  I believe the answer is contained in Rev. James Parks Morton’s quote as well.

If the environment respects no boundaries and we are the ones constructing the walls between what is around us and how we interact with it, then it can be said that by modifying our perspective, actions, habits or some other part of our life’s routine, we can drastically impact our environment.  We are not separate from it after all.  This shift doesn’t have to be profound, in fact its probably going to be more effective if it is a simple, low impact change that is the catalyst from which all other transformation occurs.

For example, in my own life, I try to help the environment by recycling.  Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be enough based on current environmental statistics.  So, I started paying attention to the moments where I don’t or can’t recycle.  What I noticed was that every time I traveled, I would throw everything away unless the hotel or restaurant, etc. had a recycling program.  If they didn’t it all went to the landfill.  That’s when I started bringing home as much of the recyclables as I could in my luggage, carry on etc.  Mostly this consists of paper and cardboard ( metal doesn’t travel well through security ).  It is a small movement towards a larger goal and that is how it starts.

By creating a habit within our lives, the effects ripple outward from us and begin to impact the environment around us.  Inaction because of frustration, laziness or exasperation only serves to increase the problems we see, not make them go away.  Do something small within your sphere of influence and I believe you will begin to see that action mirrored in a larger way all around you.