By Roberto Assagioli and others. Excerpt from the book Creative Meditation.
Types of radiation
At this time, humanity is confronted with the problem of how to use the energies evoked or received through meditation, prayer and invocation. The need to use these energies has two reasons:
- To avoid accumulation and overstimulation in the interior.
- Because they are very valuable, and because it is both a duty and a privilege to use them for the benefit of humanity.
They can be used in two ways – firstly, with internal activity and secondly, with external activity or action. By internal activity is meant that there is an outflow of energies to the mental and emotional levels, which are thereby irradiated. That such an outflow and irradiation is a reality has always been known, except perhaps in the present materialistic and cultural period which humanity is leaving behind. However, there are now so many chemical processes and technical results which illustrate that radiation is a fact and which help one to understand the nature and processes of radiation.
An example of this is the phenomenon of radioactivity, which, without being affected, radiates outwards from radium and inwards by bombarding atoms into cyclotrons. Radio, TV, mobile telephony and the internet also show that sound and images can be sent over great distances without visible connections.
When this is possible on the physical energy levels, it is not surprising that it can occur on the more subtle levels of the psychological realm. This is the case, for example, with the phenomenon of spontaneous telepathy, which often occurs. As this subject is studied scientifically and evidence is provided that telepathy is a reality, reasonable doubt can no longer be raised.
Psychological and spiritual radiance
There are two types of psychological and spiritual radiance:
1. Spontaneous, unconscious radiance
The spontaneous, unconscious—one might say inevitable—type corresponds to the automatic radioactivity of radium. Not only does the emission occur without any effort or knowledge on the part of man, but one could not restrain it if one tried. The mind cannot mask its real self—the soul.
When radiance has spiritual qualities, and when it radiates from a person who has reached a high level of self-realization, the effects are powerful and in a sense magical. A contemporary psychologist, AH Maslow, who discovered that such radiance was a reality, described it in the following way:
… self-actualizing people “radiate” creativity like radioactivity, hitting everything, regardless of whether it causes problems, in the same way that a happy person “radiates” joy without having a specific motive or ulterior motive for it, as joy radiates on everything, just like sunshine. It radiates on the entire area, and it makes everything grow (that can grow), and it is wasted on stones and everything that cannot grow.
AH Maslow, Creativity in Self-Actualizing People, p. 12
Keyserling stated the same truth very firmly:
… the mere presence of a saint is a blessing, the mere presence of a hero gives strength and courage, the mere presence of a great believer creates faith, and he who shows great trust creates security. Moreover, it is the quiet, effortless radiance of the deep being that ensures the most powerful activity for a long time. This has been shown to be true in a thousand cases in space as well as in time. The farther away a spiritually-animated person lives from others, the more inaccessible this person is, the further out the manifestation of the depths of his radiance reaches.
Herman Keyserling, From Suffering to Fulfillment, p. 90
2. Intentional, conscious projection
Active radiation or conscious projection closely corresponds to radio and television transmissions and can operate in two ways:
- Radiating in all directions without any real aim or goal. It is broadcast “to all who are interested” or who are able to receive the message or image.
In the Buddhist canon (Majhmanikayo.XL) the four divine stages (brahmaviharas) are described as radiating contemplations with the following formula:
The monk dwells with his spirit filled with love and lets it radiate in four directions: North, south, east and west, and also upwards and downwards… he irradiates the whole world with his spirit that is permeated with love, and with his spirit that is far-reaching, deep and boundless and without hatred and anger.
This formula is repeated three times, thereby increasing the capacity for love with subsequent devotion, joy and serenity. In order for it to be effective, this form of emanation requires great inner strength and a high spiritual “tension”.
2. Specific radiation directed at a specific target. This corresponds to the rays that are projected in only one direction. This method does not require such high “voltage” because the effect is greater by focusing the energy – this corresponds to the Sun’s rays that can create fire when focused through a lens.
The question now is what one can and should radiate.
- With the help of spiritual telepathy, one can radiate thoughts, either completely abstract thoughts or thoughts that have been “shaped” into thought forms.
- One can radiate qualities, aspects and attitudes such as love, light, joy, strength and will.
- These two forms of emanation can be combined. This means that one can emanate thoughts or thought forms that are conditioned by or vitalized with spiritual qualities.
A special form of radiation must be used in connection with healing work, but an illustration of this area would be so extensive that it cannot be adequately described here.
Radiation technique
1. Preparation
First of all, one must study how to perform emanation. This is of great importance for the success of the experiments. Ordinary preparation consists of concentration on what one wishes to emanate. But when it is a question of a spiritual quality, the most effective method is to awaken the feeling of the quality itself within oneself, and to identify oneself with the thought of it, with its energy and with its message. Then a spontaneous emanation can take place. In this way one can combine spontaneous and purposefully directed emanation.
Another factor that increases the effectiveness of the radiation is joy. At first this may seem surprising, but when one knows that joy has a stimulating and vitalizing effect, it is clear that joy facilitates and increases the effectiveness of any action.
2. Visualization
After the preparation comes the precise formulation and visualization of what you want to radiate, whatever it may be. It can take the form of a message, a formula, a word, and when possible an illustration or a picture.
3. Linking
The next stage is linking with the recipient and attuning to their level. This can be done in two ways:
- By visualizing the recipient (a person, group, etc.).
- By sending a wave of love to Loving thoughts is a great linking and unifying energy.
4. Projection
Next comes the actual projection. This is best done by visualizing a channel or a beam of light that is directed towards the target of the radiation, or in the case of general radiation, visualizing beams of light running in all directions.
Radiation hazards
A few words of caution should be said about the dangers of radiation and the possible harmful effects.
- The radiation can be too intense, and if this is the case, it can cause two things. First, the receiver can reject the radiation, or second, the radiation can arouse an opposite reaction in the receiver, or it can become “burning” and thus destructive. The effect of the Sun’s rays is an analogous example of this. The Sun is the source of all life, and its rays are beneficial, healing and life-giving. But when they become too intense, one goes into the shade, and when one stubbornly exposes oneself to this radiation, one can get sunburned and even get sunstroke. It is therefore not a fault on the part of the Sun, but it is the receiver who does not think twice.
- Another real danger is the temptation to impose or influence others by one’s radiance. When one feels impelled by selfish motives or by the will to power, or even when one has the best motives, it can seem to be. It should be remembered that no one has the right to infringe on the freedom of others, and therefore one must beware of projecting one’s own “ideal” image onto them, or what one thinks they should be. This is a very common mistake, and it often occurs in parents. It is usually expressed by exercising authority or by persuasion and suggestion, but it can be just as harmful by using more subtle methods of radiance. Therefore, one must be aware of the great responsibility one has in this regard and never try to influence in any particular direction unless there is a request from the “recipient” or it is with the full consent of the “recipient”.
- The same warning must be given in connection with prayers and with thought projections that have the aim of influencing political and religious leaders in certain directions. One cannot know what is right in the long run in all situations, and it is therefore safer to try to invoke light and other things that one believes are right, rather than trying to work for certain results.
- In healing, caution is also needed. For example, concentrating attention on the patient’s illness or on the parts of the physical body that are affected can have undesirable effects. It is better to invoke the general healing powers and to surround the patient with light and thoughts of “wholeness” and well-being.
Blessing
The best known form of radiation is blessing. When radiated in a dynamic manner and inspired and sent forth by a well-considered will-to-good, blessing is the best transmitter of spiritual energy. A general blessing has been beautifully described by a teacher as “radiating a rainbow of blessing to all parts of the world.” Those who are attached to a particular religion can find many different blessings among the holy books and rituals that they can use. But here is a special formula for a blessing that everyone can begin the day with:
May all things and all people
that I am in contact with
or come into contact with today
be blessed now and forever.
How to move forward
Here you can receive seven free meditations where you develop different aspects of yourself.
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
