PLUG INTO YOUR PERSONAL POWER
TO HEAL YOURSELF & YOUR WORLD

By Gwenn Bonnell

We have all been affected by the events of and since September 11th. Many people report feeling disconnected, fearful and helpless. While a personal session with a therapist may be needed for those suffering intense trauma, here are some simple actions we can take on a daily basis to become more grounded, centered and connected to our power.

Because I work with the mind/body energy system that is how I make sense of the world and the events in it. Everyone has their unique way of viewing the world, and your viewpoint may not match mine. No matter - one or two of these exercises may help you. The trick is to find what feels good for you and practice it regularly. In my experience, this may make a huge difference in your life. Remember, as you heal yourself, you heal your world.

THE CHAKRAS

There are seven major energy centers called chakras in the human body, beginning at the base of the spine and traveling to the crown of the head. Each center has an individual vibration or energy, is associated with certain emotions, plays a part in our spiritual development, and governs certain physical organs and systems. As we mature, we all experience the energies and emotions of the various chakras. We can't not go through this process, participating in either the "light" side or the "dark" side of life. Certain actions help us plug into the power inherent in each chakra, and that is what I'm sharing here.

1) STAY CONNECTED

The first chakra contains tribal energy, the feelings we have when we sing the National Anthem, attend religious ceremonies or root for our sports team. Our choice is either to play victim and suffer or take responsibility and become empowered. When we fear for our survival, bonding on a national level by giving blood, making donations, flying the flag, and supporting the president helps regain our power.

Our daily choices DO affect our physical environment. We are all connected, and our every thought, word and intention affect each other - whether it's as a member of a family or as a nation of the world. We can cultivate this connection by walking outdoors, strolling barefoot on the beach, swimming, camping or gardening. The nurturing and healing energies of Mother Nature fills our need for logic, order and structure, keeps us grounded, and helps us take personal responsibility to consciously create a new world.

2) HONOR ONE ANOTHER

Second chakra energy places us in a power struggle on a grand scale. Knowing our options, we struggle with our choices. Does part of us agree with death and destruction when it is "needed" and part of us ache for peace? On a personal level, do we use money, sex or power to control others? Or do we walk a mile in someone's shoes before judging them and demanding justice? We honor the divinity in one another by cultivating our relationships, spending more time with people who matter to us, playing with our children and our pets, giving up the need to control and letting ourselves enjoy each relationship.

3) HONOR YOURSELF

The energy of the third chakra challenges us to stay centered in our personal power even when we fear rejection and criticism. Ghandi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela followed their principles, acted with dignity and maintained their faith. The courage to take risks and generate action comes from a high level of self-esteem, self-respect and self-discipline. This crisis is a perfect opportunity to develop this part of ourselves.

Any kind of sports, weight training, yoga or energy work such as Tai Chi is empowering. Pamper yourself to a bath or a massage and nourish yourself with the proper diet. The Louise Hay exercise of looking into one's eyes in a mirror and repeating affirmations such as "I love myself exactly the way I am right now" develops self-esteem. When you feel good about yourself, you are more focused, more energetic and more powerful.

4) LOVE IS DIVINE POWER

The heart chakra is the center of our emotional power and is the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. We are both attracted to and intimidated by the most powerful energy we know: love. Do we feel heartache, anger or hatred, unable to forgive others as well as ourselves? Are we afraid of our emotions or can we recognize them as part of being human? As we practice forgiveness, compassion and trust in a Divine plan we experience the power of unconditional love.

Living in appreciation and gratitude helps us forgive and let go. Think of at least three things you are thankful for each day and express that gratitude in prayer. We vitalize the heart energy by doing something we really love such as watching a sunset, calling someone we miss, watching a good romance film or taking a weekend vacation. The more we feel and share love, the more natural it becomes and the less real fear appears. The choice of love or fear is in our faces right now on a personal and global level, and I vote for love!

5) RELEASE YOUR WILL TO DIVINE WILL

We have a choice between fearing the will of God (a real knockout of a tribal belief) or believing in a Divine purpose in the fifth chakra. True power comes from aligning ourselves to Divine will. We must be honest with and forgive ourselves. The courage to release judgement and stand by our choices along with the wisdom to recognize and accept what we can't change comes from this energy center.

Communication of any kind activates this chakra. Words, images and actions have power — we are always sending messages either verbally or non-verbally. Creative endeavors, singing, humming, chanting, reading aloud, or telling a story helps us to stand in our integrity, honor our inner voice and speak from the heart.

6) SEEK ONLY THE TRUTH

The third eye, or sixth chakra, invites us to detach from the physical world and seek only the truth. Spiritually, we learn to let go of how we think things should be and embrace the way they are. Connect with the Divine by reading spiritually uplifting books. Meditate and learn to quiet any mind chatter to develop intuition. In stressful situations, step back, take a deep breath, and become aware of the thoughts and emotions you are experiencing. Look past any drama, quiet fear driven voices and search for the symbolic meaning.

7) LIVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT

The seventh, or crown chakra is our connection to spiritual energy. Perhaps lately we've felt depressed or spiritually abandoned. Prayer and meditation helps us transcend ordinary human fears about past or future events and allows us to keep our energy in the present moment. This may be the biggest lesson we can learn and the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others: keeping our power in the here and now and sharing it with those we love. This is an opportunity to grow spiritually on a personal, cultural and planetary level. Express love in every moment, share the gift of human life, and experience the connection we have with one another.

PUBLISHED Natural Awakenings, Broward Edition, Dec. 2001.