Setting Boundaries and Conserving Energy

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“Chief Seattle’s 0ften quoted statement that what we do to the web, we also do to ourselves, is also true in reverse: what we do to ourselves, we do to the web. This means as we tend to ourselves with care, attention, and understanding, the effect ripples outward. As we learn to work with our energy – to understand it, conserve it and use it effectively – we not only develop our inner resources, we become more aware of how we use the resources in our environment… As we experience greater balance in our own lives, we bring greater balance to the world in which we live.” (From The Vibrant Life :simple Meditations to Use Your Energy Effectively, by Donna Thomson)

This week’s talk and meditation picks up where we left off in June. The theme is setting boundaries and conserving energy. People talk a lot about both these things, but how do we actually do this? As we understand and work with energy, we discover many practices to help us have better boundaries and conserve our energy. I call this “personal sustainability.”

I’ve learned a lot about this by living in a completely off-the -grid house. I am aware every day that energy is a constant exchange: what goes out must be balanced by what comes in. I am aware that on a cloudy day I have to be extra careful about my use of electricity and monitor it to be sure I don’t drain the batteries. This is a great metaphor, and the key word here is really aware. Working with energy, we understand the importance of awareness in our daily lives. Draining our resources, whether inner or outer, requires a certain degree of denial.

I hope the following meditation will bring you greater awareness of how your energy works and help you recharge and conserve the precious life energy that is your greatest resource.