Dimensions of Energy
Formless, Atmospheric, Symbolic/Visionary, Imaginal, Spatial/Somatic
"Energy" is generative patterning. Here are five aspects of energy, on a spectrum from less to more tangible:
Generative Formless Energy: The relational energy of generosity, as a pure mood. The relational energy of connection, as a pure mood. Any other relational energies that can be manifest with no particular object: tenderness, cheerfulness, warmth…. What characterizes a formless energy is that it is homogeneous throughout experience, an even coloring of everything.
Generative Atmospheric Energy: Holding a vibe (with one's whole being). Creating a vibe (via decoration, music, food, etc.). Atmospheric energy is more complex than formless energy: like the weather, a certain mix of a sunny disposition with a biting edge yields a particular flavor. A flash of fierceness within still calm…or perhaps a mix of multiple moods, where tenderness and cheerfulness are intermingling.
Symbolic/Visionary Energy: The energy found by letting action be informed by symbols of relationship, such as "living by the words of a poem", or "living as a revered persona". Here, we can see how these energies can occur in varied ways across the sense fields: visual icons can be imbued with symbolic energy, but so can conceptual arrangements, such as metaphors (“be as a mountain”), or sounds, or kinesthetic feelings. When in the form of visionary energy, a symbol guides you, it has teleology that leads you somewhere.
Imaginal Energy: Imaginal energy can be in any sense field, and can be a standalone generative image or can augment perception. For example, visually imagining lines of connection, made of glowing light, forming between each of our hearts can change how we relate. Kinesthetically imagining a sensation of power in our gut can change our actions. A standalone generative image differs from a symbolic image in that it doesn’t point or refer to anything. We might have a beautiful vision of a field of luscious grass; it moves us in some way, but it does not symbolize.
Spatial/Somatic Energy: This form of energy is any energy that can be described as being located at a particular place in space. For example, you can feel the presence of someone else’s extended body field intermingle with yours. Perhaps you feel energy moving from the heart through the eyes to the other's heart. Many somatic energetic practices, such a qigong, are forms of spatial/somatic energy.
These energies can manifest in any of the senses. For example, consider a sound intoned:
When the sound is without meaning, it may be Symbolic Auditory ("let your being be infused with the energy of the sound").
When the sound contains meaning, Symbolic Conceptual (where “conceptual” here is used to describe a sense field, non-pejoratively).
When the sound is about sensation, Somatic Kinesthetic: it is the physical vibration of the sound in the body, and what that means somatically, that is being cultivated.
Much energetic work combines these. For example, movement with visualization is Somatic/Imaginal. A child’s lost-in-pretending is Symbolic/Atmospheric. Many religious or spiritual practices utilize all forms of energy.
Exploring and expanding the aspects of energy that are available, and the sense fields in which they are available, can unleash a wondrous, beautiful power.