Understanding thoughts as energy

Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form to another

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The Law of conservation of energy states that – “Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form to another.” In its simplest form, the law says that one cannot create or destroy energy, but one can convert it from one form into another. Pretty much everything that happens in the universe obeys this fundamental law.

Let’s take a closer look! The caveat to this law is that it is applicable to closed systems. Our bodies are both open and closed systems. The respiratory and digestive systems are open but the circulatory system and the system that controls body temperature are closed-loop systems.

In the natural sciences, an open system is one whose border is permeable to both energy and mass. In thermodynamics, a closed system, by contrast, is permeable to energy but not to matter.

We all hold energy in the form of thoughts, beliefs, emotions and memories. Therefore, even with respect to our bodies, the energy needs attention. If we are being consumed by anger, resentment, jealousy, greed, lust, hate and so on, obviously, it is serving us in some way but we know within our hearts that we can do better.

Being stuck internally can lead to a number of diseases and ailments, while being stuck externally impacts our relationships, finances, professional career, and so on. The best way to deal with this, then, is to transform or transmute the energy from one form to another and just as the law says in the process, “no energy is lost”.

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When one transforms the energy:

· Anger becomes peace

· Resentment becomes goodwill

· Greed becomes contentment

· Lust becomes detachment

· Entanglement becomes involvement

· Hate becomes acceptance at first and then love, so on and so forth, and in the process, life gets transformed.

So now, the question arises as to how does one transform this energy?

There are many approaches to do this such as yoga, doing exercises, consuming chemicals, through diet, acupressure, chiro-practice, meditation etc., and different practices affect different people differently. However, for those who are analytical and like to find logic for everything – Gratitude is the simplest way to transform energy.

Let’s consider another law – Newton’s third law of motion states that “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Let’s apply this Law to the concept of gratitude which will then read as:

“Whenever you are ‘Giving’ gratitude in the form of a heart-felt ‘thanks’ there is an equal and opposite reaction of ‘Receiving’.”

This means, every time we revel in genuine and deep gratitude, this action sets off an equal and opposite reaction of receiving. Therefore, the more we give the more we receive. The more we are thankful for what we have, the more we are ready to receive.

Many of us may say: “I get into this vicious cycle of starting with a negative thought, and I forget about all my blessings. One negative thought leads to another and another and another, and then, I am back to being my miserable self.”

Basically, we are saying that once a negative thought sprouts, it repeats itself and catches momentum and then it is difficult to stop the process, which lands us in a state of negative emotion or emotions. So how do we bring about a change in our state?

Let us understand this with Newton’s first law of motion which states that “An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”

There are two parts to this statement – one that predicts the behaviour of stationary objects and the other that predicts the behaviour of moving objects. The behaviour of all objects can be described by saying that objects tend to “keep on doing what they’re doing” unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

If the same analogy is extended to thoughts, which are a form of energy, once the negative thought grasps us, chances are it will gather speed and continue in the same direction. This i because, as a habit of negative thinking or processing, it gathers speed, as an unbalanced force (within us or in the environment) has triggered it.

What is needed then is to apply the brakes immediately. The moment one becomes aware of the rise of a negative thought, one should nip it in the bud and tune into something that makes one feel thankful or grateful.

Unbalanced forces — be they negative or positive — cause acceleration. Acceleration of positive thoughts makes us feel good and acceleration of negative thoughts makes us feel bad. It is for us to decide as to which part of the continuum we would like to be.

Now let us understand the concept of Momentum and how it applies to us.

The equation for Momentum=Mass x Velocity

Scientists have begun to find ways to measure the activity of thoughts and now realise that Thoughts have Mass. From EEGs to Delta or Theta brain waves, we are now able to measure some form of thought waves. We all produce magnetic wavelengths. The latest Magneto- Encephalography or MEG and Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices, or SQUIDS, register the mass brain activity as it is broadcasted out into its environment.

Velocity in this equation is simply used to define the rate at which something changes its position through time — meaning, ‘How often does it happen?’ or ‘How often does one think the thought’?

The directional Momentum in Life = Thoughts (Mass) x the number of times one thinks them (Velocity).

This is how we all can essentially change, or add momentum to whatever we desire or want. Our momentum allows our orchestration and the more we fine tune our thoughts the better the orchestration. Specificity allows fine tuning. Therefore, the clearer the intention — the clearer we are about what we want, how we want it, where we want it and when we want it – the easier is the manifestation. If the desires and wants are not fine-tuned it is just noise.

One can get excited with a thought or get pumped by it, but often it fizzles out. If the thought is not repeated, it gains no momentum. Both Mass and Velocity cannot build momentum alone.

Words (affirmations) or Mantras repeated (Velocity) all day long, without emotions/thoughts (Mass) behind them, don’t get momentum that can manifest our desires. And the day the positive, radiant, confident and constructive thoughts hit the ratio 3:1 vis-a-vis destructive, self-weakening thoughts, one gains the momentum of an upward spiral. With practice, we can use our energy to have clear intentions (Mass) and then add velocity (repetition) to them for a happier and fulfilling life.

Gratitude is the positive emotion that can help us spiral up. In the darkest moments of our lives, we can at least be thankful for being alive. Being grateful for anything or just one thing allows us to receive more. This simple practice, when it gathers momentum, transforms lives. As we cultivate a sense of being in gratitude, we also cultivate the feeling of being loved as we start appreciating the gifts in our life, which also allows us to develop an emotionally-generous disposition.

As Gratitude becomes our way of life, life unfolds so much more easily.

For support on coaching journey — organisation’s and leader’s — do contact us at ICF and our team of volunteers in India will be happy to help.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the world’s largest organisation leading the global advancement of the coaching profession and fostering coaching’s role as an integral part of a thriving society. Founded in 1995, its 35,000-plus members located in more than 140 countries and territories work toward common goals of enhancing awareness of coaching and upholding the integrity of the profession through lifelong learning and upholding the highest ethical standards. Through the work of its six unique family organisations, ICF empowers professional coaches, coaching clients, organisations, communities and the world through coaching. Visit coachingfederation.org for more information.

In India, ICF is represented by six vibrant chapters, all led by volunteers — ICF Bengaluru, ICF Chennai, ICF Delhi NCR, ICF Mumbai, ICF Pune and ICF Hyderabad.

The author, Shivdasini S Amin is a Master Certified Coach by the ICF and is currently an associate professor with Mahindra University. She seeks to discover, grow and nurture human potential, to augment talent through inner examination of beliefs, patterns and emotions, while being involved with life and breaking inner glass ceilings. She truly believes that humans co-create ideas and solutions by developing their body, mind and spirit, therefore the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual areas of life need to be enriched and enhanced simultaneously.

27 COMMENTS

  1. Beautiful scientific approach of describing spirituality and the co existence of both in human mind and body. This article is an amalgamation of science and spirituality where both operates in harmony within us from energy levels to the environmental levels. It was a treat to read.

  2. Makes sense in all respects ma’am. I have been strictly following daily self affirmation and repetition of a positive thought and it has had significant positive effect on me. This article made me understand the science behind it and it was put very neatly in a logical way especially through the references to Newton’s laws.
    Looking forward to read more such articles and get amazed!

  3. This makes absolute sense. I am trying to break a lot of patterns that push me towards negativity and this one really helps understand myself better and then break free.

    Thanks Mam!!

  4. Maam, I like this the most.
    The directional Momentum in Life = Thoughts (Mass) x the number of times one thinks them (Velocity).
    With practice, we can use our energy to have clear intentions (Mass) and then add velocity (repetition) to them for a happier and more fulfilling life.

    Nicely explained the importance of gratutide exercise.

  5. Interesting article, how some laws are mapped to human emotions. Sometimes, things are so simple but we make them so complex and the article address that issue pretty well. Many Thanks Mam.

  6. Miracles happen when Science meets Spirituality and one happened for me today, this article. Thank you very much mam, learned a lot , will remember these insightful words of yours forever.

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