The Energies

Naming The Energies

We have discovered seven “Energies” as we have probed, explored, and celebrated the Wisdom Traditions of the World. This is an ongoing work. This work of discovery and celebration may very well be the heart and soul of Interfaith Practice.

“Energy” conveys a sense of emotion, physicality, drive, the quest for purpose, and the deep experience of community, nature, and cosmos. We use the word “Energy” to transcend any hard definition as we seek the Wisdom of the World’s Traditions and its people.

These “Energies” are a result of the convergence of the religious beliefs and practices of the spiritual traditions of humankind by which “the transcendent principle of reality” is realized. These “Essential Energies” arise as “givens” in the vastness of space, the splendor of existence, and the mystery of life.

The “transcendent principle” is implicit in each and every authentic tradition. In fact, the authenticity of any tradition is based on the “transcendent principle.”

Simply stated the “transcendent principle” reminds us of what it means to be a humane and compassionate person. Any belief we might have, any practice we might perform, any ritual we might celebrate, invites us to perceive the World around us in a spirit of self-giving love and compassion.

The “transcendent principle” is a humble insight realizing we are a living part of the World around us. We have a deep responsibility to everyone we meet, to the world of Nature we encounter, and to the Mystery of the Cosmos as it unfolds.

The “Energies” celebrate and give expression to this “transcendent principle.”

PLEASE NOTE: We have borrowed the seven terms for the Energies from the Wisdom Traditions of Humankind. Any definition is the result of our experience, study, and practice. It is not our intent to convey the authentic teaching of each tradition. We apologize for any misleading or inaccurate portrayal.

When we refer to the “heart,” we mean the dynamic center of a human person – the intersection of body, mind, soul, and imagination. The mind is not opposed to the heart. The ability to think, reason, delight, and experience deep emotion reveals a person who is fully alive. The “Energies” celebrated and recognized in the Wisdom of the Traditions are keys to opening the door to the Heart of anyone who seeks to be fully alive.

We invite you to discover and discern the “Energies” in your soul, in your traditions, practices, and beliefs. We invite you to discover and discern the “Energies” in your life.

Let us begin our humble journey.

The Pathways of the Heart

I hear the Oneness of Oneness resounding in the silence of my heart. Its music transforms my being. My very soul is touched, blessed, released. This profound silence is my Mother nursing me with her song. This Song of her Heart gives birth to all that is, the visible, the invisible, the beautiful, and all that is destined to be beautiful. The Oneness of this most Sacred Sound can even be heard in the noise of the World. The Sacred Oneness gives harmony to discord, peace to conflict, and love to hatred.

OM/AUM

THE ONENESS OF EVERYTHING

THE ENERGY OF COMPASSION

THE MOST SACRED OF SOUNDS

CONSIDER

They who think the self can be a slayer, and they who think the self is slain, are both mistaken. The self does not kill, nor is it killed. For the self is never born and never dies, nor may it ever become non-existent. This unborn, everlasting, abiding self is not slain when the body is slain. Knowing the self to be unborn, imperishable, everlasting, changeless, Arunja, how can anyone slay anyone or be slain?

Bhagavad Gita #6

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

The Mystery of CHI emerges in many Traditions blessing us with the perception and experience of the oneness of life. The power of the ocean waves and the gentleness of a summer breeze marry in the mystery of the life of Life itself. I no longer exist as a separated being estranged in my hostilities and fears. I emerge as a wonderful expression of Life itself. The Universe surges within me, around me, and through me. I love to dance with the child rejoicing in the butterfly. It is my privilege and blessing to weep with those who weep. Grief, like joy, is no less than the surge of life. I am an ocean of Life.

CHI

VITAL ENERGY – THE LIFE FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE

HARMONIZES WITH THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE(S)

THE ESSENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL PERSON

ONE WHO SENSES THE PULSE OF LIFE

CONSIDER

The smooth, balanced flow of CHI – your life-force energy – is the single most important determinant to your health, vitality and happiness.

Taoist Lineage Master Bruce Frantzis

The Chi Revolution

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

There is, if you will, a strong impulse at the heart of the Cosmos revealed in the human heart. It is the deep desire to bless another in ways most profound. If we examine life deeply, we will discover the countless people who live their lives for the sake of others. This is not simply a human quality. Why is the valley beautiful or the mountain majestic? Why is the sky inspiring, and the sun generous? Why do I have the ability to think of peace in times of war? Deep in the heart of all reality there is the energy of benevolence.

JEN

BENEVOLENCE / HUMANENESS

CULTIVATED IN RELATIONSHIPS

CONSIDER

“Tzu Chang asked Confucius about JEN. Confucius said, "If you can practice these five things with all the people, you can be called JEN."

Tzu Chang asked what they were.

Confucius said, "Courtesy, generosity, honesty, persistence, and kindness.
If you are courteous, you will not be disrespected;
if you are generous, you will gain everything.
If you are honest, people will rely on you.
If you are persistent, you will get results.
If you are kind, you can employ people.”

Confucius

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

It is only proper, right, and a sign of deep respect to dust the floor, arrange the flowers, and prepare the food with diligence, propriety, attentiveness, and care. The rituals of life, altar, governance, and fair play make benevolence felt. We are uplifted when music is orchestrated with care, soul, and beauty. Respect becomes mutual and life-giving. I bow to the transcendent in you. As you bow to the transcendent in me, you remind me of my true nature to be a person of benevolence.

LI

THE ORDER AND COHERENCE OF THE UNIVERSE

PROPER RESPECT IN EVERY SOCIAL EXCHANGE

COMMUNITY IS A SACRED RITE

CONSIDER

One who is injured ought not to return the injury, for on no account can it be right to do an injustice, and it is not right to return an injury, or to do evil to anyone, however much we have suffered from them.

Socrates

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

We live in the Mystery of the World around us. Every day we are taught by the trees, instructed by the wind, inspired by the animals, and intrigued by the mystery of what we do not know. The Light of the Sun is our friend and helper inviting us to live as people of the way of light, peace, harmony, and truth. The Way of Nature is wise, mysterious, and dangerous. Yet, the rhythms of Life will surely bless us on our journey.

TAO

THE WAY LIFE IS – UNITY OF ALL

SOURCE OF ALL SPIRITUAL POWER

CONSIDER

See the world as yourself.

Have faith in the way things are.

Love the world as yourself;

then you can care for all things.

The Tao Te Jing #13

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

Life is our great Teacher. We seek wisdom from the knowledge of great teachers who train us to ponder, think, and explore. We learn to be radically open to Truth as revealed in the ongoing adventure of life. We discover the Dharma of forgiveness when injured, the Dharma of truth when tempted by falsehood, the Dharma of self-giving when selfishness invades our hearts, the Dharma of love in times of division and conflict. We seek to become what we desire for the World. We never miss an opportunity to be instructed in the Ways of Life.

DHARMA

FIRST PRINCIPLE

“UPHOLDING” FOUNDATION OF ALL

EXPRESSED IN RIGHT CONDUCT

CONSIDER

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.

Sutta Nipata

HOVER OVER VIDEO AND CLICK MUSIC ICON TO HEAR ENERGY

The Apostle teaches, “If I have not love, I am nothing.” While the power of love as emotive is transformative, the beauty of love as a way of life is life-giving. I love another person into life. I seek what is good and life-giving for myself and all the World. I live my loving in such a way as to love the water I drink, the air I breathe, the creatures I encounter, and the people I meet. My sanctuary, my sacred ground, is the dwelling place of another person’s presence. I am humbled by the thought that I have the capacity to love. May my love always be more than a thought.