The Healing Power of Collective Energy
““We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.” Thích Nhất Hạnh
Whatever our modern society would have us believe, we humans are not meant to exist in a state of lonely independence. We are designed to live in community, to rely on one another, support one another, and lift one another up.
When we come together in search of healing and spiritual growth, we harness the power of our collective energy, creating transformation on both an individual and a community level.
While we each have our own unique stories, many of us carry collective grief and trauma from living in a world where our health and wellbeing are often an afterthought. Gathering together to seek healing and transformation provides an outlet for acknowledging and addressing our shared trauma.
In times past, our ancestors developed community rituals and celebrations to harness the healing power of collective energy. Few of us now keep to those old traditions, but we can find new ways to come together for spiritual growth and collective transformation.
Healing From Collective Trauma
Living in such a connected age, it seems we are constantly bombarded by news of catastrophes and pain.
Global issues, such as racism, sexism, and inequality, climate change, and the Covid pandemic affect us all. At the same time, situations may arise in our local communities which cause trauma.
These issues may feel too big for us to face. But they still affect us on a personal level, often in ways that are hard to articulate or understand. That is especially true for those of us who are sensitive and emotionally aware.
As well as affecting us as individuals, collective trauma creates rifts in the fabric that holds us together as a society. When the issues aren’t addressed, they become part of our collective memory. Whether spoken or unspoken, the trauma associated with these events is passed down through generations, unless we can find a way to heal and move forward.
If we don’t have the tools to speak about our experience of collective trauma, we feel helpless. Issues continue to fester and the rifts between us deepen.
But when we come together and embrace the power of our collective energy, it gives us the tools we need to move forward. We learn new ways to interact with one another and support each other’s growth.
Gathering to heal helps each of us feel less alone. We hear one another’s stories and are heard and honored in our turn. We reaffirm our sense of belonging. And we create space for positive action and change.
Healing and the Collective Consciousness
The healing energy we tap into when we gather in sacred community doesn’t just help us cope with collective trauma on a personal level. As a group, we connect with our higher power and harness its energy to send ripples of transformation into our collective psyche.
As individuals, we are all connected to the collective consciousness. At the most basic, this is a shared set of beliefs, morals, and values that hold us together as a society. We all internalize these beliefs to a greater or lesser extent.
But with greater spiritual awareness, we can see that the collective consciousness is more than just a shared set of ideas. We know that we are all interconnected. Everyone is nurtured by the same divine energy, the source of all life.
When we come together for healing, we tap into that source of life and bring its transformative power into our lives. We step outside our limiting beliefs about ourselves and our place in the world. We open ourselves to the compassion, love, and self-awareness that this deeper connection with our higher power brings.
We also take the sense of peace and emotional growth we are gifted by tapping into the collective energy back out into the rest of our lives.
In truth, there is no difference between our individual healing and our collective healing. As we continue on our personal journeys, we also contribute to the transformation of our communities.
How Can We Tap into Collective Energy?
Have you ever been part of a crowd at a festival or an event and felt the heady sense of being part of something larger than yourself? Groups of people, coming together with a shared purpose, generate a collective energy that unites us and lifts us up.
When we intentionally gather to unlock that collective energy and use its power for healing and growth, we create something greater than the sum of its parts.
One common way of embracing collective transformation is to come together in a healing circle. These sacred spaces are designed to bring us into community with one another. They create a safe place where we can share our stories with honesty and authenticity.
Healing circles also allow us to grieve and celebrate as a community. We acknowledge our shared trauma and support each other in moving forward.
Where communities have become ruptured and out of sync, healing circles can be a vital tool in seeking restoration. Because there is no hierarchy within the circle, all members are valued, respected, and heard.
Coming together in circle helps us to address our personal trauma too. We find solace in the freely given support of others. We tap into the collective energy of the group, taking strength from it and giving our own strength to others in turn.
Embracing the Power of Collective Energy
The power of gathering as a group for our personal and collective healing is immeasurable. If you feel called to sit in circle and explore this energy further, I’d like to invite you to attend the Unfolding, a monthly women’s healing circle that meets with the full moon.
We come together online, so you can join us from anywhere in the world. For more information on our next gathering, what to expect, and what you should bring, please visit this page for more details.
In loving service & deep gratitude,
Candice