Living in the Collective

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

The world “collective” can apply to many different things. In the context of Western world, it can be used refer to society or mass culture. Jung used the term “collective unconscious,” to describe the deepest level of the psyche that contains the archetypes, universal to all mankind. In Inca shamanism, collective refers to the life force that is the essential energy of all living beings found in nature.

The collective energetic experience of connection can be powerful and profound. It is what shamans enter into in states of ecstasy. It can feel  like coming home and unconditional love. It is having the experience that everything is limitless and exactly as it should be in each moment. In Taoism it is being in the flow. Shamans refer to this as being in right relationship.

Entering into a collective state can be freeing and amazing – yet the opposite can also be true. In times of violent change and confusion, the energy of the collective can become alienating, confusing, oppressive – and life draining. It can bring on dissociative states and lead to soul loss. It can create the sensation of being unable to breathe or think.  This can become over-powering – similar to the way Jon Luc-Picard became taken over by the borg for a couple of episodes in “Star Wars: The Next Generation.” This is because, for better or worse, we are all connected in an energetic field.

When we are paying attention and are in a receptive state, we feel everything going on around us. If we remain fully present, living in the modern world requires tending to the energetic field. When we are ungrounded, tired or hungry our energy fields are more susceptible to taking on negativity and feelings that may not be our own. If we give away our sovereignty and enter into a passive state so that someone else will take care of us we leave ourselves wide open – and give away our power. In states of intoxication we can become even more vulnerable because we lower the vibration of our energy body, leaving ourselves wide open.

Remaining clear and balanced is an active process that requires focus and intention. If we  stay grounded and align ourselves with a purpose for the highest good in service of the earth (Pachamama) and the light, we protect ourselves and develop immunity. Like attracts like. If we are drawn to the light we will bring the light to us. If we live in right relationship we remain in connection with the positive life force that is surrounding us.

 

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