Zap It — Before You Take That Run

During a time of intense personal suffering — circumstances stemming from my age-gap relationship — I happened to be at a conference with three therapist colleagues. At lunch, I was explaining to one of them what I was going through…the angst, the pain, the inner turmoil. The tears poured, and she listened with intensity and nodded at all the right times, like good therapists do.

This impossible situation (the kind where someone has else has to change), I thought, was going to stump her. What could she possibly say that would be helpful? I already knew that I couldn’t change people’s minds or past events, and I wasn’t ready to just accept something that was simply unacceptable.

“If you can,” she said, “when you are thinking of this person, whenever they or the circumstances come up in your mind, you must send them light. Take a minute, and literally visualize this person full of light.”

Well, that was something. I certainly wasn’t expecting her to say it, but oddly enough, it seemed like something I should try. As someone who practices meditation and brain wrangling techniques, I knew this could have healing potential, and have read about visualization processes using light. Plus, it was something I could do right in that cafe, right then and there.

And I did. After our lunch, as we walked, I observed my mind going back to the cycle of reviewing the painful experience. This time, I visualized a lightening bolt zapping the picture my mind had created, and then transferred the exploding light to all parties involved. I watched their bodies become flooded with light, and saw them as these beautiful, spiritual beings.

I instantly felt better.

Sending someone who I was so intensely disgusted with light, helped me calm down and take a step back. I became more of an observer to the situation as I watched this process play out in my mind. I was able to see and feel my anger transformed into something else — light, a very powerful and infinite force.

And, believe it or not, these circumstances improved. The more I wished light and love on others who were unkind, unaccepting, or plain ugly to me, the more those situations and people came around (with time).

I remember hearing once about a study where a group of nuns were praying for everyone in a nearby hospital. Researches compared the health of those people at later dates to another hospital in the same town, that was not receiving prayers. The results showed significant improvement for those who had the nuns praying for them.

(As I went to get more information on this topic of “intercessory prayer”, I found that overall, scientists in this small field of study found little to “no discernible effect” on those being prayed for.)

Perhaps the people I am sending light and love to are not being changed by the good energy I am sending their way (I smile at how ridiculous this may sound to some), but I sure am. This practice alone has helped me feel less angry, more in control, and able to move on quicker from upsetting and complicated affairs.

Strength comes in many forms. Before I run, box, or workout, things I believe are making me stronger, I try and remember to take a few moments to strengthen my emotions. This starts with the mind, by directing my thoughts away from the ruminating cycle and toward something that just feels better.

Now, go take that run!