Energipsykologi i det store perspektiv – de syv stråler

Energy psychology can also be placed within an overall philosophical perspective, where we see the entire cosmos as seven rays that permeate everything. The article also provides insight into the four existential paths of development and the seven creative principles.

By Søren Hauge and Kenneth Sørensen

The understanding of the energy types must be placed in a larger perspective if we are to see the larger whole that the energy types are part of and to use the understanding in the best possible way. We call this perspective holosynthesis , that is, the uniting nature of the whole . We are aware that we are now making a major leap in relation to the general linguistic and conceptual accessibility of energy psychology. But we dare to do so because it is so essential to have the cosmological and overall spiritual perspective presented if the energy types are to be understood on their deeper level. We most often refer to the energy types as sides or aspects of ourselves, each of which constitutes a dialect of the whole. But what is wholeness, seen in the most complete perspective?

It is not possible to answer this question without briefly touching on the presentation given by the English esotericist Alice Bailey of the energy types or rays , as she calls them. We normally take the seven psychological functions at the level of the soul and personality as the cause of the seven energy types in the human world. But man is a part of the cosmos, and from this much larger perspective the part must reflect the whole, or as the Hermetic principle says: as above, so below .

“Spirit slumbers in nature, awakens in the mind, and finally recognizes itself as spirit in the transpersonal regions.” ~ Ken Wilber

Esoteric psychology describes the cosmos as a living being, meaning that galaxies, stars, planets and everything they contain are expressions of life in development or evolution. The cosmic being who created the manifested universe also expresses itself through seven spiritual forces, which are called the seven rays in esotericism. It can also be said that the rays are life forces and an expression of the active creative energies that, in Ken Wilber’s words, constitute ” Spirit-In-Action “.

When we work with the energy types, we can view them from three different angles, each of which provides different information and experiences of the energy types. The first perspective we call the perspective of life . It describes the seven rays and the dynamic effect they have when they bring about evolution in the cosmos. The second perspective we call the perspective of consciousness, and it deals with how the energy types are experienced in consciousness as psychological functions and core talents in the individual, and as life energies when we collectively experience the psychological qualities together through energy fields (psychological atmospheres). The third perspective we call the perspective of behavior , and it deals with how the energy types express themselves in visible action.

The seven rays as a perspective of life

When we look at the types of energy from the greatest perspective, we use the perspective of life , because here the rays are experienced as the life and the will that provokes evolutionary development. The seven rays are described in esoteric literature as cosmic forces, living beings that have emanated from the One Life that drives all development forward. These cosmic beings radiate seven basic energies that are part of the structure of the manifested universe and in all living beings.

The Indian sage, Aurobindo, thus expresses that the manifestation of the universe occurs as a result of “an unlimited stream of heavenly rain – seven rivers, flowing down from a supramundane ocean of light, power and joy ” ( The Synthesis of Yoga ). These rivers of life live in all living beings and constitute the essence of all that exists. Esoteric psychology calls these seven energies, among others, 1) will, 2) love-wisdom, 3) abstract intelligence, 4) harmony through conflict, 5) concrete knowledge, 6) devotion and 7) law and order.

Energy fields and qualities as the perspective of consciousness

When we talk about the perspective of consciousness, we are talking about the experience of being, about the quality that colors the energy of each moment, as well as the inner core talents we all have to unfold this being in action. The quality of our being is an expression of the qualities that radiate from each person and create the psychological atmosphere that all people radiate.

However, we are not isolated beings, but often share energy types with others. Therefore, we could also focus on energy types as energy fields, ie shared experiences of psychological qualities that we share and are together.

How often do we experience the dynamic spirit of will and life when we join together for a common purpose. The sensitive and tender atmosphere when two or more people feel at home in each other’s company. The inspiring and mentally stimulating energy that arises when new perspectives are developed and explored. Or the creative experience of play, humor and dramatic expression, not to mention the concentrated mental tension that arises when a group of people really seeks to penetrate the solution to a human problem. The committed fire of enthusiasm is also evident when we give ourselves wholeheartedly to what we love and look forward to together. Finally, the organized performance of a dance, a ritual, a work process or a ceremony is deeply moving, because we experience ourselves as part of a living organic whole, where all elements merge into a higher synthesis. In other words, the energy fields, core talents and qualities are important dimensions that need to be included when we are to truly understand the qualitative dimensions of the energy types.

The energy types as a behavioral perspective

Finally, we can say that the seven energy types describe the quality of a person’s behavior . When we seek to understand how a person differs from another person, we often do so through an assessment of the quality of their behavior . That is, their psychological radiance of psychological qualities in action . Does a person seem, for example, dynamic, sensitive, intelligent, creative, rational, dedicated, or practical in their radiance and behavior? In other words, there are seven different types of behavior , each with its own unique quality and function, that characterize the description of the seven energy types in their external activity.

When energy types are described in terms of their outward behavior, we choose to call it the behavioral perspective because it is an expression of how the personality expresses the rays in practice, motivated from either the personality, soul, or spirit level of being. So whether we are talking about rays, core talents, or energy types, we are basically talking about the same thing – it all depends on the perspective we have. We can summarize it in the following diagram:

The four existential development paths

Energy psychology also has an approach to wholeness, a holistic approach, which always takes four essential aspects into account. These four fundamental forms of modus vivendi or existential development paths are basically quite simple:

Being ~ Identity

Being , the identity perspective.

I am

I ~ Autonomy

To want , the individual perspective.

I am shopping.

We ~ Relationships

To accommodate , the collective perspective.

I connect

The Making ~ Creation

To manifest , the activity perspective.

I create

None of the four can do without each other. We cannot understand an I without a you and cannot understand a you without an I, just as we cannot understand being without doing and doing without being. The four modes of existence are completely cardinal and therefore form the integral perspective in which the energy types unfold.

The first mode of existence is about our identity, what we identify with or our very being , which unfolds on many levels of consciousness. We have a physical level of being, just as we have an emotional and mental one, a higher level of consciousness, soulful (there is consciousness at all levels) and even higher transpersonal, spiritual levels. The many levels constitute a comprehensive spectrum of states of consciousness from physical to intuitive and beyond, with which we identify ourselves throughout our development. They are part of the interpretation of who we believe we are at any given time. Being is defined as that with which we feel at home at any given time.

Our identity therefore expands on the respective levels as we move from outside to inside or from bottom to top. This is also reflected as a shift from the personal energy types that operate on the physical, emotional and mental levels to their higher octave, the transpersonal energy types on the soul and spiritual levels, as we shift from the outer personality focus to the inner, higher soul and spiritual focuses as a result of the development.

In the diagram of the five psychological levels, we see the most common levels illustrated.

We unfold energy types on many different levels at the same time. This is expressed when we look at different aspects of our personality, role patterns or sub-personalities. Here, variants of the energy types will play out as multiple masks in the drama of life, each motivated from the respective levels, as shown, for example, in Maslow’s pyramid of needs.

The entire spectrum of consciousness – the subconscious, the conscious, and the superconscious – thus has its significance in relation to the energy types, and our identity can be explored at all levels of being.

At the level of the body, we identify with our physical existence, our possessions, appearance, and physical comfort. At the emotional level, we identify with how we feel about ourselves, our attachments to family and social circles. At the mental level, we identify with our independent role in the world, status, individual values, self-esteem, and the knowledge we have. At the spiritual level, we identify with the meaning we give to life, our experience of belonging to humanity, and the life task we undertake. In this way, each level gives its identity and experience of being.

When we start from the I-existence, it becomes about the individual perspective, where we learn about ourselves by virtue of the center we are in the universe, and from which we act authentically. Here it is about being a true expression of who we are at any given time. It is on that axis that we establish the axis of life or center the energy, so that we can stand as who we are and act from here. Here we develop courage, assertiveness and boundary setting, so that our individual and unique identity can unfold in greater and greater freedom . Freedom as a personality, as a soul and ultimately as a tool for the divine spirit itself. This is where the masculine polarity of the soul unfolds, as the inner insistent force that continuously encourages us to unfold our highest potentials and step beyond our comfort zones. I-existence is about creating autonomy on all conceivable levels.

As acting consciousness we can unfold physically, instinctively, emotionally, mentally and as an integrated personality with self-esteem, and on higher levels as the conscious incarnated soul. The integration work with the energy types is a helper on all levels of our ego existence.

They are, because the experience of what is felt to be authentic depends on which energy type controls the respective levels . It will be experienced as authentic to be very dynamic, overview-oriented and straight to the point for a person with the dynamic energy type in the mental area, while for a person with a creative energy type here, it will feel natural and genuine to be more associative, colorful and linguistically flourishing in their action expression.

We cannot say I without implying a you. There is nothing individual without something collective. The two are mutually dependent. Therefore, we must move from the I-existence or the individual to the we-existence or the collective. We learn to know ourselves by reflecting ourselves in each other. We are social beings, parts of larger communities, be it the family, the circle of friends, the local community, the nation and ultimately the entire world. But we are also fellow beings on a larger scale, for our species belongs to other species of living beings, and our organism is part of nature, the planet and ultimately the entire cosmos. We therefore also find ourselves through our relationships, through our ability to accommodate the larger whole of which we are a part. Just as we learn to know ourselves through the relationships we enter into, we also learn to understand other people, groups, peoples and nations.

We do this through an ability to identify with larger and larger social wholes. On this axis we learn to identify ourselves as a family member, as part of our nation and various group affiliations, to become a world citizen and a cosmic traveling soul. We therefore develop compassion, wisdom, and spaciousness on this path towards greater and greater unity consciousness. Here too, the understanding of energy types is essential all the way around as an important framework for understanding unity and diversity.

From I and you we must finally move to doing. Our being as I and we conditions our doing. Therefore, our doing is inseparable from being and vice versa. We are all producers, we are all creators. In each of our own ways we bring something into the world through our activities. What we manifest shows something about our being, just as it shows something about our autonomy and our relationships with others. Our ability to create, and the degree of success we have in expressing our abilities, tells us something about both our energy type dominances and the degree of integration we have achieved. The relationship between being and doing is a key to the art of living. A healthy balance should always be striven for. If we emphasize being too much in relation to doing, then we do not unfold our core talents in the world. And if we emphasize doing and neglect being, then there is no depth in our activities. The two are therefore each other’s helpers and completers.

The impact we have in the world through our creativity can also expand from the local to the national, international, and worldwide. The Doing Axis is therefore about how effective we are at expanding our beneficial impact in the world. In simple terms, we can summarize the four modes of existence in this:

If these four angles or modes of existence are kept in mind when working with the energy types, then a truly holistic depth dimension can be accommodated, where all conditions are taken into account at all levels. We will not go into detail here about how this can be specified and divided, because the possibilities and variations are limitless. We will only formulate it here as general questions that can help to show the direction. If we take the four modes of existence into account, then we can ask from the four angles:

1) Aries: What do I identify with?

2) Me: How authentic am I in my actions?

3) We: How do I relate to other people and the larger wholes of life around me?

4) The Doer: How effective am I in developing and unleashing my creativity?

Core values ​​and heart navigation

To make room for all levels of our existence – here both our personal and soul or transpersonal aspects – we must operate with two clearly definable levels or octaves of energy types, which we have called the personal energy types and the transpersonal energy types . In doing so, we not only accommodate the driving forces and motivations of the everyday self. We open up for the higher perspective, which brings the more far-reaching, spiritual overtones into activity. It also enables us not only to accommodate the immediate needs that belong to the personality, but to include the soul perspective, the altruistic needs and the essence that we are here to unfold.

When we awaken to the soul, our values ​​radically change from being primarily oriented around our personal needs to being about how we can make a difference in the world.

” Your vision becomes clear only when you look into your heart. He who looks outward dreams. He who looks inward awakens .” ~ Carl Gustav Jung

So, by shifting the focus from the personal energy types to their higher, transpersonal qualities, we put our core values ​​at the center and gradually begin to practice heart navigation .

Core values

The most important and fundamental values ​​in my life

What is absolutely central to me?

Core values ​​are what is central to us when the soul begins to assert itself, what we can build our lives on. To discover our core values, we must wholeheartedly desire to be in harmony with ourselves, both personally and in a deeper, soul-related sense. The answers will vary, depending on our energy type dominances.

It can be helpful in the clarification process to ask yourself the question: What prevents me from making my core values ​​the center of my life? What prevents me from being true to my core values, the foundation for an energetic, friendly and creative life? As long as unconsciousness and immaturity dominate, we will slow ourselves down in letting the core values ​​be our pillars, but when we begin the process of self-discovery, we will gradually be able to begin practicing heart navigation by virtue of the anchoring of the core values.

Cardiac navigation

The deepest longing – my heart’s compass

Where am I going and why?

Heart navigation is about the fact that it is simply our soul nature that shows the way; not our upbringing and environment, our biological heritage, our parents’ expectations or the prevailing norms of the time. It is, of course, about answering the question: What does my heart want? Where will our journey take us when we make the heart our compass? The head and the heart need each other, and following your heart does not mean ignoring your head. It is just important that the head is characterized by our core values ​​and not by crisis-induced blockages or emotional dilemmas.

It takes courage, responsibility and honesty to follow the logic of the heart. Therefore, it can be helpful to ask yourself: What will my life be like if I don’t listen and let my heart navigate? Where will I end up if I ignore my heart? Heart navigation becomes possible when we can answer the question: What is my inner compass when all unimportant things fall away? What can I build my life on when external success and tailwinds disappear? What direction does my life journey take when I follow my inner compass?

We must take into account the different levels of life – the personal and transpersonal needs. Heart navigation is a listening to all aspects within us and their care in the best possible way for the good of the whole. When we take care of our full nature, we can best be available to the world. We must take care of our grounding and daily actions that serve to sustain life. In the same way, we must take our life rhythms and daily well-being seriously, so that the life forces support our growth. We must prioritize human relationships and ensure that the relationship with others – both those closest to us and those more peripheral – is characterized by our core values. We must make room for us to develop our personal competencies, the abilities we are equipped with, the talents we bring with us that must be brought to fruition in the best possible way. All of this must be taken into account. To this must be added the extremely important, transpersonal dimension, the creative being of the soul, which is the source of everything else. Heart navigation implies that we listen to all aspects of our nature and follow the direction arrow of our soul.

“If you plan to be anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all your days.”
~ Abraham Maslow

The creative process from input to output

Energy psychology shows the nature of energy types in relation to our individual being and our relationships to others and the cosmos. But also the different levels of identity and being show the octaves of energy types, and similarly we can see them in the process from input to output, the gradual stages from inner possibility to outer anchoring:

1. I                  Autonomy              Individuality
2. VI                    Relationships              Community
3. ARIES          Identity                 Levels
4. DOING           Creation                 Processes

One could say that the development of the I dimension develops autonomy, which leads to different forms of individuality. The development of the we dimension creates relationships that lead to community. The development of the being dimension, – where one feels at home – creates identity on multiple levels of consciousness. The development of the doing dimension leads to the creation and unfoldment of talents through temporal processes from idea to result.

The special nature of the energy types is therefore not only a master key to describing the structures of consciousness in levels, energy fields (‘space’), etc., but also a master key to reading the natural unfolding of life in the creative processes (‘time’). The laws of our creative process are shown with astonishing clarity when we listen to the situations we find ourselves in and strive to do the right thing. The sevenfold creative process can be simply illustrated in this way:

1. Inspiration  ( idea, impulse )

2. Reflection  ( immersion, empathy )

3. Clarification  ( articulation, structure )

4. Harmonization  ( adaptation, realism )

5. Planning  ( details, preparation )

6. Motivation ( commitment, mobilization )

7. Manifestation ( expression, emergence )

The first phase in any creative process is the inspiration , which comes in the form of a new idea or an impulse that sets the new thing in motion. When the inspiration has struck like lightning, there comes a completely natural phase of reflection , where the inspiration sinks in and gives rise to empathy and reflection. Here it can take root and unfold, and at some point it will be natural for it to be clarified through a clear, mental definition or structuring on the overall level. This design brings the inspiration into the field between the art of the existing and the possible. Therefore, it becomes absolutely inevitable that a harmonization must be created , so that the inspiration does not just remain a wild dream, but can connect with realism with what already exists.

Once a certain degree of balance has been achieved, inspiration will naturally move into the planning phase , where a detailed elaboration of the impulse takes place, so that the path to external results and production can be seen. This concretization brings the inspiration much closer to realization, and therefore the motivation phase becomes absolutely crucial in creating the fuel for realization. Energies and commitment must be mobilized to make the impulse sufficiently attractive to be born in its final form. Finally, the inspiration will be able to move into manifestation and see the light of day. The sevenfold process of creation is complete.

In the work with energy psychology, the integrative and transformative work with the energy types will follow this understanding. One can therefore say that there are certain natural stages of work that, taken as a whole, show the practical application and living out of the energy type doctrine. We can similarly be inspired by these stages and use each one individually in our daily lives.

1. Identification (presentation)
   The energy types are described and brought to life with examples.
   General : We encounter it.

2. Meditation (reflective opening)
   The energy types are experienced through meditative exploration.
   General : We feel it.

3. Verbalization (linguistic expression)
   The energy types are described personally and concretely in speech and writing.
   General : We describe it.

4. Dramatization (display)
   The energy types are brought to life through play, games, body and drama.
   General : We experience it.

5. Clarification (facts, results)
   The energy types are specified through precise observation.
   General : We investigate it.

6. Internalization (innerization)
   The energy types are recognized concretely as living reality.
   General : We bring it to life.
   

7. Expression (implementation)
   The energy types can be practically applied through I, we, being and doing .
   General : We express it.

With these concluding points, we will conclude the review of the overall perspective on the energy types.

How to move forward

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Also read the article Psychosynthesis an Integral Psychology and the biography of Roberto Assagioli

Read the introductory article about energy psychology

Read the introductory article about integral meditation