Inner Energy and Physical Energy

Inner energy and physical energy refer to two very different—but deeply interconnected—dimensions of human experience.

Physical energy is what we normally think of in biological or mechanical terms. It comes from the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe, and the systems in the body that convert nutrients into movement, heat, and physical output. Muscles contract, the heart pumps, the brain fires electrical impulses. This is measurable energy—glucose metabolism, ATP production, calories burned. It's what lets you walk, talk, lift, and run.

Inner energy, on the other hand, is subtle. It’s not just physical stamina or fuel—it’s the felt sense of aliveness, vitality, and flow within your body and mind. You can sit still and not move a muscle, yet still feel energized—or drained. Inner energy includes emotional intensity, mental clarity, spiritual openness, and the general quality of your being. In Eastern systems like yoga and Chinese medicine, this is called prana, chi, or life force.

Michael A. Singer and other spiritual teachers point to inner energy as what you feel moving inside you when something stirs your heart, when you fall in love, or when you’re deeply moved by beauty or fear. It's the rush of joy, the heaviness of grief, the expansion of peace. You can be well-fed and well-rested (with plenty of physical energy), yet still feel numb or lifeless—meaning your inner energy is blocked or depleted.

From a scientific point of view, inner energy is harder to define. It may not have a calorie count or a voltage, but it clearly affects our nervous system, hormones, and brain activity. Practices like meditation, breathwork, and emotional release often increase this sense of vitality—even though they use very little physical energy. Inner energy influences posture, expression, motivation, and our connection to others and to life itself.

One way to see the difference is this: You can charge a phone (physical energy), but the quality of the call—the clarity, the connection, the tone—that's like inner energy. One keeps the system running; the other determines what it feels like to be alive within it.

The Chakras

The chakra system is a spiritual framework that describes seven main energy centers within the body, each associated with particular emotions, psychological patterns, and aspects of personal growth. Though rooted in ancient Eastern traditions, the chakra model shares surprising parallels with modern psychology, especially in how human development, emotional health, and self-awareness are understood.

1. The Root Chakra (Fear)

The root chakra (Muladhara), located at the base of the spine, governs safety, survival, and our sense of being grounded in the world. Emotionally, it relates to fear, insecurity, and trust. When balanced, it gives a sense of stability and confidence in life’s foundations—shelter, food, and belonging. In psychology, this mirrors Erik Erikson’s first stage of development: trust vs. mistrust. Early childhood experiences of safety or danger shape whether we feel secure or threatened in the world. A blocked root chakra might express as chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, or obsessive concern with money and security.

2. The Sacral Chakra (Sex)

The sacral chakra (Svadhisthana), located in the lower abdomen, governs pleasure, desire, creativity, and sexuality. Its emotional realm includes guilt, emotional fluidity, and the capacity for joy. A balanced sacral chakra allows for healthy emotional expression, intimacy, and the enjoyment of life’s pleasures. In psychological terms, this connects to issues of emotional regulation, sexual identity, and interpersonal bonding. Trauma, shame, or emotional suppression in this area can manifest as numbness, codependency, or addictive behavior—areas that are deeply explored in psychodynamic and attachment theories.

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra (Power)

The solar plexus chakra (Manipura), found above the navel, represents personal power, autonomy, and will. Its associated emotions include anger, confidence, and shame. When balanced, we feel capable, purposeful, and resilient. In Western psychology, this parallels the development of ego strength and self-esteem. Cognitive-behavioral models often address negative core beliefs that damage this center, such as “I am weak” or “I’m not good enough.” Unbalanced, this chakra may express as power struggles, low confidence, or controlling behavior—echoing psychological struggles with assertiveness and self-worth.

4. The Heart Chakra (Love)

The heart chakra (Anahata), located at the center of the chest, governs love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional connection. Its emotions include grief, empathy, joy, and sorrow. When this chakra is open, we feel a deep connection to others, and we can give and receive love without conditions. In psychology, this resonates with emotional intelligence, empathy, and the capacity for secure attachment. When wounded, we may struggle with heartbreak, isolation, or fear of vulnerability. Therapy often aims to reopen the heart after loss or betrayal, restoring the ability to trust and care deeply again.

5. The Throat Chakra (Knowledge)

The throat chakra (Vishuddha), located in the throat, relates to communication, truth, and authentic expression. Emotionally, it connects to fear of speaking, repression, and dishonesty. A healthy throat chakra allows a person to speak clearly and truthfully without aggression or fear. In psychological terms, it aligns with assertiveness training, healthy boundaries, and the development of a coherent self-narrative. When blocked, this chakra may cause someone to stay silent when they should speak or to speak defensively or manipulatively—symptoms often addressed in interpersonal and trauma-focused therapies.

6. The Third Eye Chakra (Intuition)

The third eye chakra (Ajna), situated between the eyebrows, represents intuition, insight, imagination, and inner wisdom. Its emotional tone is subtle—more about clarity than feeling. When clear, this chakra allows one to see past illusions, integrate unconscious material, and develop a strong inner compass. In psychology, it is closely tied to metacognition—the ability to observe one's own thoughts—as well as Jung’s concept of individuation, where the unconscious is made conscious through insight. An imbalanced third eye may show up as rigid thinking, confusion, denial, or over-reliance on intellect at the expense of deeper wisdom.

7. The Crown Chakra (Spiritual)

Each chakra represents both an emotional tone and a stage of psychological development. What is remarkable is how closely these ancient energy centers reflect the insights of modern therapy. Both systems acknowledge that healing requires not only insight but integration—bringing awareness to blocked areas, releasing trapped emotions, and restoring a balanced flow of energy.

Ultimately, chakras and psychology are two languages describing the same inner reality. One speaks in the terms of energy and spirit, the other in the language of cognition and emotion. But both point toward the same goal: wholeness, clarity, and the awakening of one’s full human potential.

8. Proposed Sleep Chakra (Rest)

I invented this chakra because sleep and relaxation is important. This chakra calms down the body down to promote meditation, relaxation, and sleep. It is located in the brain stem.  When any of the otherl chakras are activated there is an corresponding increase in inner energy. But this chakra reduces the inner energy to promote sleep and relaxation. .  It is associated with a parasympathetic nervous system. Blocked energy in this chakra may cause insomnia.

Balancing the Chakras

Balancing the chakras involves integrating practices that harmonize the mind and body. Meditation and visualization are powerful tools that allow us to focus on specific chakras, helping to release blockages and encourage a smooth flow of energy. When combined with breathwork techniques, such as deep breathing or pranayama, the process becomes even more effective in reducing tension and enhancing focus. To release a samskara, tune into the blocking energy, sadness, fear and other bad emotions. Let it build, and then picture the energy being released down the arms and out the fingers.  Let it flow down our legs and out our toes as well.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation is a practice of training your mind to achieve clarity, calmness, and inner awareness. It often involves focusing on a single point of attention, like your breath, a mantra, or a visualization, to quiet the mind and foster a sense of peace.

To meditate, find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing or a chosen anchor, and if your mind drifts, gently return your attention to it without judgment, cultivating a sense of presence and stillness. Just observe what is going on around without thinking about it or doing something about.  Just observe.

Mindfulness and meditation are closely related but serve slightly different purposes and can be practiced independently or together

Mindfulness is the act of being fully present in the moment, paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. It’s a way of living that can be applied to any activity, such as eating, walking, or even washing dishes.

Meditation, on the other hand, is a structured practice designed to train the mind, often using mindfulness as a technique. It typically involves setting aside specific time to sit quietly, focus, and cultivate inner awareness or stillness.

In essence, mindfulness is a state of being, while meditation is a dedicated practice to nurture that state. Mindfulness can be practiced throughout your day, while meditation often requires intentional effort and a specific setting.