Comments to: crs@uvm.eduReviewed as of 4/20/98
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EXERCISE 4
Energy Work #1
This exercise allows you to feel your own energy.
Sit comfortably. Place your hands about two feet apart in front of
you, with your palms turned up. You can rest your hands on a table
if that's more comfortable.
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Notice whether you're
breathing rapidly or slowly, regularly or irregularly. Try to find
the most comfortable and regular breathing rhythm for you. Take
your time.
When your breathing feels just right for you, focus your awareness
on your hands. As you focus on your hands, notice how they feel.
Keep breathing regularly in the rhythm you found earlier.
Now, imagine that your arms are optical fibers and your hands are
the ends where the light comes out through your palms. Imagine
that you are able to send light flowing out of your hands, and wait
until you have the actual sensation of energy flowing out from your
palms.
When you feel this sensation, slowly turn your palms in to face
each other. You may notice the feeling that there's something
between your palms, like a warm cloud or fluffy spun cotton. If
not, move your hands together slowly to see if you have this
sensation. This is your own energy, held between your hands.
Move your hands back and forth slowly to play with this energy.
Open your eyes and notice if you still feel it as strongly with
your eyes open. You may discover that, once you see "nothing
there," you cease to feel the energy.
Discuss the experience in a group.
> Further notes on the exercise:
This is one of the simplest introductions to energy, and it works
with a wide variety of people who may or may not believe in it.
The most important thing is that the exercise be done with an
attitude of discovery, and that the environment be calm and
relaxing. Many people experience a self-hypnotic trance when doing
this exercise, so participants should be eased in and out of it
slowly.
It's also important for the instructor to talk people through this
exercise, and to make the visualization suggestions--"imagine your
arms are optic fibers"--without rushing the process. Other
suggestions can be used.
Participants may want more time to experiment with this energy, or
they may want more information about what's going on. This is an
exciting area of current research; see bibliography for references
that may assist students.
> Time:
15 minutes for exercise; 5 to 10 minutes for discussion.
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98