Energy beings. That is what we are.
As we all know, we are made up of atoms. Atoms continuously give off and absorb light and energy. Every cell (which is made up of atoms) has 1.4 volts of energy. This may not sound like much, but when multiplied by the 50 trillion cells cells in your body, you get a total voltage of around 70 trillion volts of electricity in your body. It is now possible to measure this energy through instruments such as through Kirlian Photography and GDVCameras.
Some call it life-force energy. Others call it Chi or prana. It is all the same same thing that is used in acupuncture, Reiki and other types of energy healing. We can really notice we are energetic beings in every day things. For instance, when we eat, we are processing energy. Every type of food (unless it’s fake food, of which unfortunately there is a lot these days-watch out!) has in some way directly or indirectly absorbed sunlight energy which is then processed through your digestive system. When we exercise, the energy that is stored in cells of our body are burned and used up. Indeed, our entire life revolves around energy.
An important aspect to remember as energetic beings is that we have both masculine and feminine energies. This is not a new concept. Various cultures call them yin/yang, lunar/solar, shakti/shiva energies. Jung called them Anima and Animus energies. Every human, regardless of gender or sexual preference, has both feminine and masculine energies.
Like a battery, that needs both positive and negative to operate, we also need a balance of energies to function as a whole. When the masculine and feminine within us in balance, we experience flow, harmony, and peace.
So how are they different?
Masculine
The masculine is the energy of action and “doing,” representing our power of manifestation and relating to the physical aspects of our universe. It is associated with linear and rational thinking, producing, and achieving. Fuelled by directiveness, focus, and the logical left side of brain, pure masculine energy has the gift of clarity, so it knows what needs to be done to achieve something. It is also protective and righteous, fighting for what he loves and believes in.
When misused or wounded, however, the masculine energy can end in ego-anger, resentment, and aggression, becoming over-controlling and competitive.
Feminine
The feminine is about a state of “being”- being present and naturally holding, allowing, and receiving. Feminine energy relates to the unseen aspects of our universe associated with creativity, intuition, connection, compassion, flow, self-love, presence, sensitivity, trust, patience, surrender, softness, giving, forgiveness, and vulnerability. As you might expect, emotions play a key role here and are in fact one of the doorways for strengthening the feminine energy, since power is created from going within and feeling emotions. The feminine energy is also associated with spontaneity, wildness and chaos. When our feminine energy is wounded or we are too much in our feminine, we can become weak, lost, and needy.
The first person to explain to me the difference between masculine and feminine energy was a shaman woman who had studied with many indigenous Mexican groups. She helped me understand these concepts visually by drawing basic anatomy. First she drew a womb and spoke about it’s biological purpose as a “container” and thus associating with energetic qualities of receptivity, holding, warmth, and nurturing. If we consider the anatomy of an erect penis, on the other hand, it is clear that the associated energy is much more of a kinetic kind, pointing forward, externally visible, and with a goal of movement and penetration.
To be clear again, however, ALL humans are energetic beings consisting of both masculine and feminine energy. When both energies are accessible and strong, they help to balance each other out and keep us in harmony. For instance, someone with too much in their feminine energy might benefit from strengthening their masculine in order to be able take action on goals or bring a rational perspective to emotional chaos. Someone too rigid or strict could tap into their feminine in order to flow more.
So what’s the problem?
The problem is that in recent history, parental, cultural, political, and religious conditioning has led us to over-identify with masculine energetic traits, meaning many of us now experience an imbalance in these energies. Most people have been conditioned to value a masculine-energy approach to things, which is why we live in a society that relies heavily on math, logic, and science to comprehend life. This imbalance can affect our emotions, bodies, psyches and spiritual development in many ways. Exhaustion, stress, anxiety, and depression are probably some of the most common effects of this imbalance today. Lack of sufficient time for nurturing relationship with oneself and other humans is another.
Why is there such an imbalance?
From a global perspective, the last 4000 years or so have been primarily about people spreading out, searching for new land, conquering, fighting, extracting resources, and exploiting labour. Considering the consciousness of our species at that time, it made sense: the planet was here to be explored, territories needed to be won, and the benefits of land needed to be reaped in order to survive and thrive. For that, the masculine needed to be in full power.
However, this mindset has carried over into today’ systems of work, politics, and the way we treat each other and the environment in a way that is not healthy or balanced.
For example, corporate culture is a primarily ego-driven in which feminine energetic traits are considered to be weak qualities in both men and women. The tech world is consumed by a mindset of constantly advancing with little regard for complex interconnected relations on which this planet depends. Mainstream media socializes men not to cry or show feelings while women are conditioned to compete for the best looks. And there is no need to mention how grossly aggressive and divisive politics has become.
Masculine and Feminine in my Life
This overvaluation of masculine energy has played out in my own life as well.
First, in regards to my academic and career path, I consistently felt a pressure of go, go, go, achieve, achieve, achieve. Whether this was at school trying to get good grades, applying to the best universities and jobs, or multi-tasking several projects at the same time, the kinetic masculine energy of moving forward was always present.
Secondly, in my romantic relationships, I often found myself analyzing my partner at the time, writing pro and cons lists, and rationalizing every issue we had. Over time, I have learned how to give an equal voice to my intuition and feelings as well as the rational side of me.
Thirdly, I became present to the fact that amidst all this, I was not taking good enough care of myself. I was so focused on “doing” that I was not resting enough, nor engaging in other things that I knew would be good for me such as consciously eating well, dancing more, and developing my spiritual practice.
Tips for Re-Connecting with your Feminine Energy
About 2 years ago was when I really started to re-connect with my feminine energy. Below are few ways of re-connecting with and nurturing my feminine energy that worked for me. These can apply to you, no matter what gender you identify as!
- Connect with nature. Learn about plants and herbs and grow your own. Walk outside barefoot. Sleep under the stars. Go biking, climbing, or whatever you enjoy outdoors.
- Dance. This is top down, my number one way to connect with my feminine side. In particular salsa dancing and going to ecstatic/conscious dance events. Dance is my medicine.
- Journal. connect with your inner voice by writing out your feelings, emotions, ideas, and intuitions regularly. I keep a daily journal where I write my affirmations, gratitudes, track my cycle, what I consume, and how I’m feeling about myself and my relationship.
- Intuitive decision making. Start making decisions based on intuition rather than your rational mind. As Einstein said: The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.The easiest way is to listen to your body and following its advice. Whenever you are about to decide, you can feel into the different options. Find a calm spotted and visualize one option after the other. If something in the body tightens it is a no, if something opens it is a go. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
- Co-create and embrace community. Find others to brainstorm ideas and create projects. Organize community activities such as gardening, circles, dance. Get out there and connect with your neighbors!
- Ritualize your life. Create time and space for daily rituals to remember the sacredness of life, for instance before eating and sleeping, or to mark milestones, ask for guidance, give gratitude, etc.
- Sensualize. Take a bath, give yourself a loving foot massage, light up some incense.
- Spend time with water . The energy of water is feminine and receptive. Allow water to help you flow and release your struggles. Take an intentional “let it go” shower, immerse yourself in natural bodies of water, drink and bless water mindfully.
Re-emergence of the Feminine
We need the feminine to re-emerge in each of us and across society in order to create more balance at all levels. There is nothing left to conquer and we have already exploited more resources than is sustainable. Our competitive and overly rational mindset is doing more harm to everyone than good. Now, more than ever, we need compassion and emotional understanding. We need co-creative solutions. We need to learn how to flow, how to trust our intuition, how to connect with our bodies.
From a feminine energy point of view, there is room for everyone to shine. As you shine, you allow others to shine. We share in abundance, knowing there is always enough for all. Self and collective love are at the core of the feminine: loving your true essence and seeing that divine spark in yourself and others.
The feminine is also about pleasure being a birthright- not just sexual pleasure but finding pleasure though all senses. Today’s world is much too serious, goal oriented and structured. We need to allow more feminine energy to flow so we can lighten up, relax, and revel in the pleasures and gifts that this planet offers.
Finally feminine energy also allows us to experience our moments of being void- those moments when we feel lost, dark, and confused, with no idea how to get out- in a different way. Instead of worrying and stressing out, we can instead learn to embrace these moments and understand they are necessary for our growth. Mother nature is cyclical- life and death are regular and healthy occurrences as seen in seasons, tides, lunar and menstrual cycles. As humans we cannot always be 100% turned on, in action, and moving toward a goal. We also need to rest, heal, re-evaluate, and let die whatever no longer serves, so that we may be reborn and transformed for each next stage. Pre- menopausal women go through this process every month. Our society would be wise to watch, learn and adapt.
Fortunately, I do see signs of the divine feminine energy re-emerging and restoring itself in many ways: in the growing consciousness about food and the environment, in yoga classes, at festivals, in the new types of jobs that are emerging, in music, art, and dance, and in everyday conversations. May we continue to listen, nurture, and find the right balance of energies that serves us all now and in the future.