Balancing the Mind:
The Role of Energy in Mindfulness
The Role of Energy in Mindfulness
Balancing the Mind: The Role of Energy in Mindfulness
Many people may have already heard of the term, “spiritual power spot.” Simply put, this refers to places around the earth where powerful energy flows. Since this "power" is invisible, you may think that no matter where you go, you’ve never felt any special energy from a place. However, think of a place such as a forest, park, the beach, lake, a library, your favorite café, or a place you visited for vacation where you felt comfortable? That is precisely the “power of a place” to you.
There are a number of spiritual power spots in the world that have been cherished since ancient times. These places are said to have strong magnetic fields that are overflowing with enormous amounts of energy— energy that is unique to that particular place. Perhaps ancient people understood the energy emitted by the lands and ruins that still remain today such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the pyramids in Egypt. Not only ruins, but also a wide range of areas and nature, such as Mt. Fuji in Japan and Ayers Rock in Australia are also included. These lands are more than just personal favorites, as those who visit can equally experience their energy even if you don't feel anything.
Just as our bodies have energy centers, so too does the Earth. These energy points are often referred to as the Earth’s chakras. They are places where powerful energy rises from within the Earth, or where cosmic energy is believed to pour into the planet from above.
The Earth’s internal energy manifests through natural phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions—forces that can be awe-inspiring in their beauty, yet also capable of causing great destruction. Conversely, cosmic energy influences Earth through cycles like the phases of the moon, which affect tides, or the sun’s heat, which drives changes in climate and environment.
The locations where these energies are most concentrated are known as the chakras of the Earth. Scattered across the globe, these sites are said to hold potent spiritual and energetic significance.
In the following sections, we’ll explore these sacred sites around the world—each one a vital point in the energetic body of our living planet.
Mount Shasta, located in Northern California, is well known to many as a powerful spiritual site. Meanwhile, Mount Fuji—Japan’s tallest mountain—stands at the heart of the Japan. Recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, it continues to hold profound cultural and spiritual significance within Japan.
These two majestic peaks rise gracefully from vast, open landscapes. Their summits are shrouded in a mysterious, pristine clarity, and their wide bases create a sense of expansive presence. If you look closely, you might notice a subtle resemblance between them—their forms echo one another, both symbolizing strength and serenity. Their grounded and commanding presence inspires a deep sense of reassurance. Even in times of uncertainty, it's as if they whisper a quiet message: “All is well.”
Mount Shasta is often associated with the First Chakra—the Root Chakra—anchoring the planet and radiating a stabilizing, grounding energy. In contrast, Mount Fuji aligns with the Seventh Chakra—the Crown Chakra, serving as a sacred portal for receiving energy from realms beyond the Earth, connecting to the cosmic and the divine.
As many may know, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii, while Haleakalā stands as the highest peak on the island of Maui. Both summits are home to astronomical observatories, chosen for their low atmospheric pressure, clear air, and stable weather conditions. Under the canopy of countless stars, these summits are celebrated not only by scientists but also by travelers seeking a place that feels remarkably close to the cosmos.
Hawaii is rich with ancient mythology, and the land itself—formed by volcanic activity—is constantly infused with energy from deep within the Earth. Mauna Kea embodies this potent, grounding force. Much like the Root Chakra (First Chakra), it radiates a profound sense of vitality and stability, rooted in the living earth. Haleakalā, on the other hand, is steeped in myths related to the sun. It exudes a warm and nurturing energy—one that resonates with aloha, the spirit of unconditional love. This mountain is deeply aligned with the Heart Chakra (Fourth Chakra), enveloping all who visit in a gentle, expansive embrace. When you witness the sunrise from its summit, you can feel this energy—an overwhelming sense of peace and love that touches the heart.
As we explored in the previous article, there are numerous energetic points around the world often referred to as the Earth’s chakras. Many of these are located in areas of breathtaking natural beauty or at ancient sacred sites. While visiting these places in person can be deeply transformative, simply looking at a photograph or focusing your thoughts on them can create a powerful resonance between your own chakras and the chakras of the Earth. Through that connection, both you and the planet grow together, in harmony.
Places known as power spots are rich with circulating energy and can offer exactly the kind of power or support you may need in a given moment. These sacred places act as amplifiers for your own inner transformation.
Incense is one of the most accessible tools for bridging the visible and invisible worlds. By lighting incense you love, and gently turning your awareness inward to your chakra points, you can align yourself with the Earth’s energy—no matter where you are. This simple practice can be done in your everyday life, right at home. Tuning into these sacred frequencies may even open the path for a miraculous encounter—perhaps guiding you toward the very power spot your soul is meant to experience.
Let’s take a moment to consider the power of the land. There is a wealth of information and articles available about spiritual power spots scattered across the globe. Each spiritual power spot emits a unique type of energy, so you can discover which energy aligns with what you are seeking at this moment.
Once you begin researching, you may find yourself irresistibly drawn to a particular location, and before you know it, a new travel plan may start to develop. The important thing is to take action by researching and learning about it.
Ancient ruins and vast natural power spots often offer visitors a sense of being transported to another dimension, far removed from the everyday world. The experience can be truly transformative.
Shifting to a more relatable topic— is the place where you currently live the same as where you were born and raised, or have you moved elsewhere?
For many people, opportunities to relocate arise with life transitions such as entering university, starting a career, or getting married. During childhood, changes in your parents’ circumstances may also lead to a shift in where you live. Furthermore, people are sometimes guided by unexpected circumstances to change their residence, or they may find themselves living in places they never anticipated.
Whatever the circumstances, the place where you live is ultimately a choice you make. While it may feel as though you are being guided, you are, in fact, moving to a place that aligns with who you truly are, drawn there by meaningful connections. Some people choose to remain in the area where they were born and raised, living there all their lives. From this perspective, doesn’t it feel as though your relationship with the place you live is destined in some way? Doesn’t the city you now call home feel endearing to you? That sentiment is a sign that you are gracefully attuned to the energy of the land.
What Makes Sedona Unique? What Are Vortexes?
Let’s talk about Sedona, which is very famous and popular all over the world. Some of you may have a trip to Sedona on your bucket list, and some of you may have already been there.
As many of you may already know, Sedona is one of the most famous spiritual power spots in the world. Countless people around the globe dream of visiting Sedona. When we think of Sedona, the word "vortex" often comes to mind. The energy of Sedona is believed to spiral up from the Earth, much like a tornado on a very windy day. This energy flows continuously, overflowing from the land every second. While some people may feel the energy of the entire city when they stand on Sedona’s land, others may experience it more intensely at specific locations. This ability to "feel" energy is something that can be cultivated in our everyday lives.
The entire city of Sedona exists as a spiritual power spot. The energy of Sedona is said to support and enhances your innate qualities, empowering you to live authentically, true to yourself, without pretending to be someone else, both in relation to yourself and others. In reality, the change may not feel drastic. Not everyone will experience a visible shift just by visiting Sedona. However, you may be influenced by its power—provided you are open to receiving the energy of the land.
Some people may experience an immediate change, while others may only receive the affect after a few years. Since this involves invisible, spiritual energy, it’s possible that the changes in the physical world might not be immediately apparent. If you’re interested in Sedona, it is encouraged to go with a sense of excitement and curiosity.
The energy of the land can be received not only by visiting, but also by enjoying the local produce or incorporating handmade items from the area into your daily life. When you return from your Sedona trip, some notable souvenirs you can purchase include items crafted from Sedona’s unique red clay, exquisite blankets woven by local artisans, beautiful crystals, and gently scented soaps. Each of these items carries the essence of Sedona’s powerful energy, allowing you to bring a piece of the land's vitality home with you.
The key point is what you personally prefer. Your ability to choose everything in your daily life trains you to build up your preference. This allows you to fully engage your senses. If you're at the beach, listen attentively to the sound of the waves. Each wave that comes is unique, never to return again. What does it sound like? When you visit an art gallery, take a moment to appreciate the colors in the painting before you. What colors are used? The colors were created with the artist’s soul, balanced in a way that can never be replicated.
In this way, opportunities to strengthen your ability to feel are woven into every moment of your life. Instead of trying to forcefully train your senses, simply relax and become aware of your feelings through your sensory receptors.
Nippon Kodo incense can be purchased in Sedona. In fact, incense stimulates your sense of smell, sight, and touch through the rising smoke, the light, the falling ash, the fragrance, and the lingering atmosphere after it has burned away, all while purifying the space. Moreover, as it is infused with the powerful energy of Sedona’s land, it makes a wonderful gift for yourself or for someone special.
Find Nippon Kodo incense and incense accessories at:
Last Updated: Dec. 2024
Honshin Fine Art
Power Spots Around You
It would be great to know that you have access to power spots close to home, right in your everyday surroundings. Where do you spend the majority of your time during the day? Is it home, work, school, or a space related to your hobbies or community activities? We are constantly influenced by and drawing upon the energy of the spaces we occupy, even if it happens unconsciously.
Take a moment to reflect—how do you feel when you’re in a place that feels comfortable, vibrant, clean, calming, and peaceful? What kind of impact do those places have on you? Conversely, consider spaces where you feel uneasy, unsettled by crowds, tense, or perhaps cramped or overly dark. Do you find yourself wanting to spend much time in those kinds of environments? Our surroundings have a profound effect on our emotions, energy levels, and overall well-being, shaping how we experience our daily lives.
When you reflect on this, it becomes clear how important the places where you spend most of your time are to your life. They have a significant impact on you. Even if there are countless cafes, restaurants, or supermarkets in your neighborhood, don’t you find that you tend to visit the same ones? Why? Because you like that place. The spaces we choose to spend time in—whether consciously or not—play a vital role in shaping our daily experiences and emotional states.
It’s obvious that returning home brings a sense of relief, allowing people to relax and unwind. This is because their home is typically organized in a way that suits their lifestyle, making it convenient and familiar as most of people’s actions at home are performed almost unconsciously.
The comfort and ease stem from the intimate familiarity we have with our personal spaces, allowing us to function smoothly without constant deliberation. The brain naturally seeks ease and efficiency, which is why our homes are organized in a way that makes daily life as effortless as possible. In other words, this state represents a harmony between the energy of your home as a space and your own personal energy. When this harmony exists, it creates a sense of ease and comfort.
However, if you find it difficult to relax or feel unsettled at home, it could indicate a lack of alignment which can make it hard to truly unwind and feel at peace. So, why not transform your beloved home into an even more powerful "power spot" by activating its energy?
To activate your home's energy means creating an environment where, even if you return home feeling exhausted, the space can rejuvenate you, help you recover from fatigue, and restore your energy in less time and with greater ease. Imagine your home becoming a place that effortlessly uplifts and revitalizes you every day.
The key point is purification. By removing unnecessary items and clearing the space, you allow the pure energy of the environment to flow freely, essentially returning it to a neutral state.
One of the methods we recommend for this process is sage.
We spend a significant amount of time at work, school, or within our communities during the day. What kind of emotions do these places bring you, after your home?
Take a look at the aspect of relationships. Some people may be fortunate enough to work or study with supportive colleagues, supervisors, teachers, or peers, and feel good about their time spent there. However, others may find themselves surrounded by people they don’t get along with, feel uncomfortable around, or struggle to express themselves fully, leading to moments of tension or discomfort. Even if it’s not every day, there are times when we encounter unpleasant experiences—this is completely normal. Since people also emit energy, you are inevitably influenced by the moods of those around you, as well as the language they use.
Now, looking at the layout of your workplace or school, there are limitations on what you can do with arrangement of space. In this case, how can we transform these spaces into power spots?
The key point is cleaning. After cleaning any space, doesn’t it feel refreshing to visually see the area looking neat and tidy? Cleaning effectively resets the space. Try cleaning a common area where someone may thank you for your extra effort. Cleaning can make your physical space transform into environment that carries the energy you find comfortable and uplifting.
Now, for those of you who occasionally think it would be nice to burn incense at the workplace or in your community, why not try finding an incense that suits you? It could even serve as a great way to deepen your connections with your colleagues or peers. Sharing an experience like that can create a sense of shared energy and foster a more harmonious atmosphere. Just make sure to choose an incense that everyone will find pleasant.
Power Spots Around You
As the phrase suggests, a "power word" is something that helps you regain confidence and motivation. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a strong, overtly positive word—it can be words of gratitude, kindness, or anything that allows you to feel true to yourself. Your power word is one that resonates with you and empowers you in your own way.
We are easily influenced by our emotions in response to real-life situations. When things are going well, and your energy is overflowing, powerful words can inspire and uplift you. On the other hand, when you feel unsettled or discouraged, words filled with love and warmth can help restore your sense of calm. Rather than having just one, it’s beneficial to keep a few power words that resonate with you.
When you hear something in your daily life that lingers in your mind and bothers you, try looking for the opposite perspective of the words that feel negative to you. This is a practice in reframing negative perceptions by viewing them from a positive angle.
For example, if someone is seen as short-tempered or emotionally intense, it can also mean they are emotionally expressive and deeply in touch with their feelings. If you enjoy spending time alone, some might label it as loneliness, but it can also be seen as valuing your own inner world and personal space. This process involves bringing unconscious perceptions and thought patterns into conscious awareness, allowing you to recognize your own assumptions about certain words. Once you become aware of the multifaceted nature of language, you’ll develop a greater sense of openness—not only toward others but also toward yourself. This technique is a powerful tool for understanding people with differing opinions and fostering a more compassionate perspective.
Many people practice affirmations as part of their daily routine. While mantras emphasize sound and resonance, affirmations are positive statements directed toward oneself. These statements carry both meaning and imagery, which serve as a powerful guide for the mind. Since the brain responds strongly to meaning and visualization, affirmations can act as a navigational tool, shaping and guiding your life.
When practicing affirmations, it’s best to approach them with a relaxed and lighthearted mindset, rather than attaching intense fixation or emotional weight to them. If you become too rigidly attached to a specific affirmation, it may start to feel restrictive. Should you notice this happening, take a step back, relax, and return to the original purpose of affirmations—repeating them with ease and openness. May your affirmations take root and manifest powerfully in your life.
The word "mantra" originates from Sanskrit. It refers to a short phrase or sound that influences the subconscious mind. While some interpretations associate it with religious traditions, in modern usage, a mantra is not necessarily tied to any specific religion or scripture. Instead, it can be understood as a powerful "sound" or "resonance" that anyone can use to harness its energy and impact.
During meditation, mantras can be silently repeated in the mind or chanted aloud. They are also commonly used in yoga practice. Words carry meaning—when you hear a word, your brain instantly associates it with a specific object, situation, emotion, or image. For example, when you hear the word "apple," you immediately visualize an apple. However, with mantras, while they do have meaning, their sound is just as important.
If you're intrigued by mantras, consider incorporating them into your daily life. There are countless mantras to explore, so take your time to find one that resonates with you. You can start with simple sounds or words that feel comfortable and natural to you. Over time, the power of these sounds will gradually seep into your subconscious.
Incense offers more than just the relaxing effects of fragrance. It has long been associated with purifying spaces, creating protective boundaries, and warding off negative energy. These may be considered spiritual aspects, not always visible to the eye, yet throughout history incense has been used for precisely these reasons. Even today, many people report sensing a shift in the atmosphere when incense is present.
Mantra meditation is a powerful practice that draws on the energy of sound and vibration. When combined with the transformative qualities of incense, the resonance and frequency of the mantra can be elevated, creating a purer and more profound meditative experience.
Discover the harmony of mantra meditation and incense—a natural pairing that enhances comfort and presence. You may choose your favorite fragrance, or turn to traditional incenses such as sandalwood, agarwood, or kyara, each known for their role in purifying and refining the energy of a space.
Here are some representative mantras. They are simple, yet profoundly powerful. We encourage you to try chanting them yourself.
Om
The sound of “Om” is considered the “sound of the beginning of the universe,” the vibration that resonated when the cosmos was first created. It is a sound born of pure vibration, and it continues to resonate throughout the universe even now. This mantra resonates with the cosmic vibration, guiding us back to our own beginnings, to the moment of birth. It immerses us in an energy that is pure and powerful, like that of a newborn, full of the joy of living.
The resonance of Om is exceptionally beautiful, combining simplicity and stillness with strength and expansiveness. It is one of the most accessible and universally used mantras. Since mantras can be chanted not only during meditation but at any time, starting with this quintessential mantra can be an excellent way to begin your practice.
Shanti
“Shanti” is a Sanskrit word meaning “peace” or “tranquility” and is widely used as a prayerful invocation. Try chanting Shanti three times: the first for your inner peace, the second for the peace of all beings around you, and the third as a prayer for peace throughout the universe. Simply chanting this mantra can help calm your mind and bring a sense of serenity.
Practice it during deep breathing—upon waking in the morning or before falling asleep at night—to begin and end your day with gratitude. Beyond your personal practice, the Shanti mantra carries a blessing to many others as well, making it a versatile and meaningful tool for various moments in daily life.
Namo
“Namo” is a Sanskrit term expressing respect or reverence. In Buddhist scriptures, it is often used as a sound that strongly conveys devotion. However, Namo is not limited to any single religion—it is a mantra that is open and accessible to all. Chanting Namo can sometimes act as a protective boundary, while at other times it helps to calm feelings of anxiety.
It is also effective as a prayer, offering a warmth that seems to watch over our pure consciousness. Depending on your situation, it provides the energy support you need. This mantra is typically chanted while exhaling. With each repetition, you may notice a sense of calm and grounding taking hold.
In summary, the ways to harness the power of words include positive reframing, mantras, and affirmations. None of these practices require much time, but through repetition, they gradually permeate the subconscious mind. To deepen their impact, consider pairing your chosen power word with a specific incense. When you chant or repeat your word while burning incense, the scent and the words become intertwined in your consciousness, amplifying their effect.
Just as you gently straighten your posture, close your eyes, and focus on your breath before meditation, lighting incense can serve as a ritual that signals the beginning of your power word practice.
Ultimately, trust your intuition—choose the incense that resonates with you most.
What’s your favorite place nearby? A café, a local park or somewhere with nature? Since it’s a place you already enjoy, it has likely already become a power spot for you. After all, when you go there, you feel good because it’s a place that lifts your spirits and recharges your energy, also makes you relax and be your true self.
Such places naturally carry a positive energy that resonates with you, making them your personal power spots. It would be great if you could always carry the energy of such a place with you. How can you bring that energy with you everywhere?
Try using a fragrant sachet. You can use your favorite incense or choose one that matches the energy of your favorite place. You can purchase a KAYURAGI fragrant sachet of your favorite fragrance or simply chop a small piece of incense and place it into a small pouch, then carry it with you. (The pouch is best made from natural materials like cotton, silk, or nonwoven fabric like a coffee filter.)
As you carry the pouch or the fragrant sachet, the soothing energy of your favorite place will be with you everywhere you go. It’s also nice to have different types of scents for variety, allowing you to change the mood whenever you like.
Usually, you would have to physically visit the place to experience its energy. However, when you cannot visit a place, you can tap into that energy simply by eating what is grown there or have something in your hands that were made in that location.
Imagine receiving a souvenir or gift from someone who visited a place where you’re not able to easily visit. When you receive it, do you think of the place where it came from? As soon as you turn your attention to where it came from, the energy of that place comes to you. It is a wonderful gift to be able to feel that energy through objects, even if the place is far away from you.