THOUGHTS FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: LIVING WITH BALANCED ENERGY
By Dr Linda Spedding

Svamiji Teaches that we are given the opportunity in life to use our time, energy and resources to the best of our potential. We are energy and we create positive and negative energy every moment. As babies we seem to be a bundle of energy who constantly moves and exercises, enabling wonderful circulation - smiling, crying, playing with our hands and feet as well as laughing - to flow throughout our being. Life - and the miracle of life - is all around. Our energy levels change as we go through life: I have witnessed that when energy levels are low there is also a marked change in external appearance. For all the massive marketing in the cosmetic industry worldwide it is one’s energy that sustains youth and beauty. Beautiful positive energy within enables the external glow much more than the creams and potions and concealers! If we can maintain the energy of adventure and positivity we can blossom and - in turn - we feel better and even look better to those observing us. Energy levels change at different stages of life. In order to live with balanced energy in this rather unbalanced world Svamiji guides us on appropriate practices that can be implemented according to individual priorities: applying positivity to displace negativity including positive activities and hobbies, contemplative music and reading, discovering constructive distractions from the mundane that assist energy transformation and self empowerment such as walking meditation or remembering beautiful times and reliving the positive beautiful experiences and moments. 


Energy is everything and everywhere in our environment: as we approach this  World Environment Day on June 5, 2019 we can recall that this is a day that is intended to prioritise and focus on environmental awareness and responsibility. We can usefully remind ourselves of the value of respect for all of life and Earth’s resources - as well as the need for coexistence - and improve our approach and conduct so that we live with balanced energy in every way. This includes the use of energy, from individual local to collective  international energy. There are of course multiple forms of energetic sources and resources. The Earth contains natural energy and renewable energy resources, as do all beings. 

Energy of Thoughts, Words and Actions

The energy of thoughts, words and actions is manifesting constantly. One can exert physical energy in activity, such as doing physical tasks. Another energy resource is our mental focus and thoughts. For World Environment Day a good use of this energy may be directing our thoughts towards some environmental concerns and planning or finding solutions, or sending prayers. Both positive and negative energy may manifest in different situations or outcomes and Svamiji’s Teachings empower one to prioritize and develop positive energy, both in terms of healing one’s body, life, soul - and the planet -and setting an example that can assist others and the planet as a whole, thereby reducing and overcoming the generally prevailing negative energy. 

“One can heal one’s own body by empowering the great forces of healing energy. When the negative elements are burned down or reduced and positive energy takes over and is in control, the physical body can be very healthy and happy. When negative energy dominates the physical body, then there is disease and there is all sorts of suffering and pain.” (Purna, Dialogues with the Divine 19 Telecast, June 19th, 2016).

Love Energy

It seems that love is an inexhaustible energy that pours endlessly from the devoted heart, known as Bhakti according to the Sanatam Dharma Tradition. Cultivating and focusing on unconditional love energy can be very powerful and fulfilling. It is helpful as a practice to contemplate the energy of one’s different aspects and moods that certain words evoke, such as:
Smiles
Laughter
Anger
Hate
Joy
Compassion 
Love

To receive compassion and to give compassion are very important for the development of the soul journey and to assist with the environmental issues that may appear overwhelming  Love motivates, heals, unites and overcomes. Svamiji has taught that unconditional love is the greatest form of energy. This can also be termed spiritual energy:

“It is important to have spiritual energy every day and this can only happen when you are connected to Love Divine, to the Knowledge, to the Satguru.” (Purna, Dialogues with the Divine 19 Telecast, June 19th, 2016). 

Energy of the Gunas, Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic

As we consider spiritual energy we can bear in mind the vital Teachings that Svamiji has given, set out in the Purna Health Management System Overview (PHMS)  and in the Balanced Series that complements this. Svamiji has clarified  the relevance of the Gunas consistently. For example He has said the following:

“Life is based on three principles, Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic. When Sattvic is reduced, then Tamasic and Rajasic take over and then the question is who is predominantly controlling your body and your senses and your mind? If Sattvic is predominant then your body, senses and mind are functioning properly. When Tamasic and Rajasic forces are dominant, not only will physical disease exist, but also mental corruption.” 
(Purna, Dialogs with the Divine 19 Telecast, June 19th, 2016).

The energy of the Gunas can be witnessed in the state of the World’s environment.

Energy of Debate

On World Environment Day sustainability is the main theme for international debate. Sustainability has a range of different meanings that reflect varying priorities and cultures. For the outcome of this debate - in turn - to be sustainable, it requires a flow and holding of sustainable energy in communications. Behavior and conduct that do not sustain positive energy may manifest, such as negativity or criticism toward others. It is always helpful to avoid such activity whether in international debate or individual communications. Negative criticism can leak valuable energy. The unseen and unsettling energy of others, meanwhile - and their communications including emails - can have an impact unless one is resilient.  Negative conversation can lower one’s vibration and affect others negatively as well. Words are powerful energy - and speaking creates energy on a subtle and even physical level. Talking itself uses a lot of energy. Thinking consciously about what - and why - you are talking or communicating can redirect the conversation helpfully and avoid needless talk. It is wise to practice speaking - and debating - only after careful thought and to participate in speech or debate in a positive way, using the voice or opinion for uplifting others, such as reminding or coaxing to achieve positive outcomes without any incessant pestering . At the individual level, using verbal energy wisely can eliminate the repercussions of unconscious conversation and communications.

Positive interaction, for example in Satsang - sharing of Truth - can powerfully inspire and encourage others for mutual benefit. Meanwhile other disciplines to balance energy such as  the breathing and pranayama practice set out and explained in the PHMS and other publications can assist in developing positive communication not only at individual level but also in international debate, with improved outcomes in understanding that can make positive change. By connecting to higher energy and the flow of peace, gratitude, joy and hope - looking forward rather than in the energy of fear, anxiety and hopelessness - one can achieve the spiritual energy individually and collectively - thereby uplifting ourselves and our creative flow and sustainability.