Staying in Your Pillar of Light

I’m often asked by clients during Reiki sessions what they can do to protect themselves from other people’s energy, particularly when it feels heavy or has a negative effect on them. Many of us move through life completely unaware that we’re ‘picking up’ the energy of those around us. When we suddenly feel flat, unsettled, or out of sorts, we tend to attribute it to tiredness, stress, or anxiety, without considering that it may not have originated within us at all.

For those who are naturally open, empathetic or sensitive to others, this can be especially true. Without an awareness of how energy interacts, day-to-day life can feel more draining or emotionally uneven than it needs to be. What we’re sensing is real, but without the tools to understand or manage it, it can leave us feeling overwhelmed or depleted.

One simple and powerful strategy to support yourself is learning how to stay within your “pillar of light.”

When you are grounded into the Earth – feeling steady, supported and present – and at the same time consciously connected to the energy of the Universe, Divine or God, you create a strong and balanced energetic alignment. From this place, you can begin to sense or visualise a beautiful pillar of white light surrounding your body. This light is not something separate from you, it is your own energy, clear, connected and whole.

As you move through your day, you can gently hold the intention of remaining within this pillar. It becomes a space of calm awareness where your energy stays your own. If something unsettles you; a difficult conversation, an argument or even a crowded environment, you may feel yourself step outside of that alignment. When that happens, there’s no need for judgement. Simply pause, take a breath, and imagine yourself stepping back into your pillar of light.

You might notice a subtle shift when you do this, a sense of returning to yourself or coming back into balance. With practice, this becomes easier and more natural, and over time you may find that you are less affected by external energies altogether.

This isn’t about shutting yourself off from others or becoming less caring. It’s about maintaining your own energetic integrity while still remaining open-hearted. When you are centred in your own energy, you are actually better able to support others, because you are no longer carrying what isn’t yours.

Like any practice, this is something that strengthens with awareness and repetition. Even a few moments of consciously reconnecting to your pillar of light throughout the day can make a meaningful difference, bringing a sense of steadiness, clarity, and quiet protection as you move through the world.

Here is a simple exercise to activate your Pillar of Light:

• First set your intention to connect to Mother Earth and to the Universe/Divine/God.
• Take a few gentle, conscious breaths to calm and centre yourself and then, with your feet flat on the ground, imagine tree roots pushing out of the bottom of your feet and down into the earth as deep as you can.
• Next, take your focus up and see, feel or imagine a pillar of bright white light from far above you entering your crown chakra. As you take each breath, watch that light moving down through your chakras and spreading out around your body holding you in that pillar. As it reaches your feet see the light spreading down through the earth to gently hold your tree roots connected to the heart of Mother Earth.
• Once you feel lovingly and securely held in your pillar of light, you can go about your day.