Have you ever encountered a person who seems to point out the negative parts of everything and it leaves you feeling emotionally drained? Or maybe you've noticed that when you're stressed or feeling down most everything in your day seems to go wrong? These are both tied in with the concept of negative energy which is something that we can produce with negative thoughts and perceptions. It can also cling to us when we're around exceptionally negative people or if we've been through a traumatic experience. Negative energy can effect our lives by creating a barrier around us, causing us to resist feelings of love and joy. It can leave us feeling spiritually depleted and like a magnet, it has an uncanny way of attracting even more negative energy into our lives.
There are many ways in which negative energy can be released and most of the methods are very simple. Think of them as a form of spiritual healing or maintenance; ways in which you can feel more spiritually healthy and balanced.
Practice Compassion- The art of practicing and nurturing compassion toward yourself and others can go a long way toward releasing negative energy. Toxic thoughts can have a tremendous draining effect, so the next time you find yourself being sharply critical toward yourself or someone else, gently remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that we all deserve to be treated with kindness and love. Keeping compassion alive in your heart can help keep negativity from clinging to you and allow love to freely enter your spirit.
Keep Gratitude Alive- Being grateful for the blessings in life expands the spirit and can help us to feel more connected to Source/God/Creator or whatever Divinity we feel connected with. One way to foster feelings of gratitude is to take stock each day of what you are grateful for. Do this by taking some time to let your mind dwell on what you feel are blessings in your life, even if it's something small. As you do this notice the feelings of calm, happiness or well-being that it generates. This practice of taking stock and the good feelings that it generates can connect us with what is truly important in life.
Purification Bath- A cleansing, purification bath can help to wash away negative energy and lift the spirit. Typically this is done by adding a few drops of an essential oil such as rosemary, chamomile or lavender or a handful of sea salt, both of which can help to raise vibrations and increase positive energy. Flowers also have a high vibrational energy, so tossing in a handful of flower petals can be both a cleansing and a visually appealing experience. Flowers known to be especially protective include rose, marigold, lavender and crab apple.
Smudging- This ancient form of spiritual purification can be a valuable tool in reducing negative energy. Primarily it is done by using a smudge stick, which is a bundle of dried herbs that consists mainly of sweetgrass and sage. It is believed that the smoke from the smudge will lift away any negative energy within a person's aura, or a specific area such as a room or house, and carry the negativity off to be blessed and dissipated. For more about the smudging process, read The Basics of Spiritual Smudging.
Some other ways in which to release and cleanse away negative energy include:
- Reiki
- Meditation, especially meditating with crystals
- Creative outlets such as drawing, dancing or singing
- Reading spiritually uplifting books
- Shamanic soul retrieval
Just as it's important to take care of your physical and emotional well-being, it's also important to take care of your spirit. Releasing toxic and negative energy is an important part taking care of your spirit and having a more joyful and fulfilling spiritual life.
