Relationships are often considered the ultimate mirrors in our lives. Lesser-known? The physical plane has the same power. Even better? Our spaces capture our reflection even when we are by ourselves. Our environments make the intangible, tangible. They reflect our most precious dreams and deepest insecurities back to us. Space is unapologetic, it doesn’t sugarcoat things. It always tells the unfiltered truth.
The physical plane is constantly communicating with us. There is an energetic component to everything on the physical plane. It’s why energy medicine, like acupuncture, works. Technically, everything we do is energy work, whether we’re conscious of it or not, because everything—including us—is made of energy. Every interaction we have, task we complete, and activity we engage with shifts our energy in one way or another.
The nature of being in a body means there will always be an interaction between the spaces we inhabit and our personal experience of life. There is a strong connection between our internal and external worlds. The interactive nature of our environment enables our spaces to become extensions of ourselves.
We are the animators of our lives. We sleep in beds, sit on chairs, and eat at tables. We drive cars, wear clothes, and read books. Whether we realize it or not, these objects are like sponges, soaking up our moods and emotions when we use them. Our spaces, and all the pieces they contain, function as life-sized keepsake boxes, time capsules, and vision boards all at once.
Our space is our frame of reference. It is a practical tool for personal orientation. This is a deeply personal practice—a study of the self through the physical plane. It sees space as a mirror, a reflection of its inhabitant’s subconscious, and a profound tool for self-reflection. Our spaces offer a clear and unobstructed reflection of the self, revealing where we are hiding and where we are shining. Our spaces remind us where we’ve been, capture where we’re at, and illuminate where we want to go.
It can be challenging to develop self-awareness simply through contemplation. Who am I is a vast, boundless, and frankly overwhelming question! Yet, when we apply the same curiosity to our physical environment the answers solidify. The story of a person takes shape through their world. We can begin to see who they are, what they value, and how they live by examining the spaces they inhabit.
Our spaces are alive, pulsing with energy, and full of juicy intel. They contain so many of our stories. The things we care about, the things we do not. They are a physical representation of our being. It is the physical imprint of one’s energetic frequency, subconscious mind, and deepest desires.
We are often taught that when we shift our inner world, our outer world changes too. The opposite is also true. The physical plane is the densest, slowest-moving aspect of reality. When we focus on changing the built environment the rest of life morphs too. So try it out! Clean your space. Move your things. Examine how you feel about the pieces you cohabitate with. Watch what happens next.
CONTEMPLATE:
Examine your space and objects as if you are an archeologist. What can you deduce about this environment’s inhabitants through their objects? How do they arrange things? What do they keep? What do they discard? What is displayed prominently? What is hidden away?
What can you learn from your habitual patterning in your environment? What is revered and cared for tenderly? What gathers in a pile on the floor? Why do you keep certain objects here and others there?
What do your tendencies indicate about your values? What are you willing to invest in without batting an eye? What makes you hesitate? What do you tend to collect? What do you balk at?
-MRD