For every spoken word there may be from ten to a thousand unspoken ones. How many times do we internally debate what to say, or not say, before we speak? Sometimes we speak spontaneously, but most often we deliberate, self censoring to say things a particular way. Does this internal self-talk influence external reality? I believe it does.

Thoughts-the words or ideas we don't speak-send their vibrations into the subtle energy and physical realms just as spoken words do. In fact, unspoken words charged with significant emotion (subtle energy) have a more powerful impact than words spoken without such energy. The energetic contrast between a deeply felt silent prayer (sending of one's energy to another) and a ritualistic public prayer is palpable by any of us. If we can sense the difference, then so can the other beings and the natural universe that respond to our prayers.

[The subject of emotion and subtle energies relates to the Principle of Vibration, one of seven Hermetic Principles.^[1] They comprise a basis for scientific study allegedly given to humans by an advanced being (AB) more than 6,000 BP. We know him by various names, including Thoth or Seth in Egypt, Manu in India, Hermes in Greece, and the Serpent of the Adam and Eve story in Genesis. They account for complexity in the universe and in humans not explained by the four laws of physics and other modern scientific principles.^[2]]

Ideas Cohere Energy and Shape Matter

Most of us already know the fundamental level of the physical universe consists of vibrating waves and particles of energy quanta. (If this doesn't make sense, you may wish to review books like those listed below^[3] dealing with the new physics and the ancient discipline of sacred geometry.) If everything in the physical world consists of vibrations, the Principle of Correspondence predicts that other forces (thoughts and emotions) also have a vibratory nature for subtle sense interactions with matter and energy.

Thoughts appear to be the most susceptible to manipulation by conscious intent - and thus the most creative form of vibration. Next comes subtle energy or emotional vibrations* and then those of physical matter and energy. In this hierarchy of our energetic/vibratory universe, distinct thoughts have the power to cohere subtle energy that concentrates matenergy into physical forms.** This dominant flow of influence is evidenced by research in a variety of fields (mind/body healing, subtle sense communications, mind-influence-on-matter experiments).^[2] A reciprocal but less powerful flow of influence is also self evident, e.g., the effects of fatigue on emotions and drugs on consciousness.

In the organism of our universe, human expression of intent or desire activates the vibration of subtle energy. While we do not yet understand the mechanism, there is adequate evidence (psychokinesis, changes in one's body by conscious intent, stimulating a response in another’s body by mental focus) of the fact that thoughts activate some form of energetic vibration that acts on the physical realm.

If my expressed desire softens the clustering of molecules in a spoon to allow me to easily bend it, there is no question that a similar expression can cause a physical reaction in another's organic body. (Use of this power-that we all have-got me into trouble when my lover was a co-worker in a formal government office.) If I can, through the silent expression of positive intent, help a friend's body to heal, then there is no question that my silent expression of disdain or hate can make another feel ill at ease, or worse.

Our Thoughts Influence Others

Often our inner thoughts about others seem reinforced by their behavior toward us. Should we be surprised that people for whom we have a hidden dislike seem not to like us either? The explanation for this unspoken reciprocity lies in the dynamics of our three-faceted universe.

If it is true that all three facets (mind, emotion and matenergy) are on some common or connected vibratory spectrum, then one cannot hide the vibrations of one's thoughts from the subtle senses of another. Therefore, if we want to exchange positive emotions with others, we must express them in our thoughts as well as spoken words.

What if we want harmony to prevail, but we cannot hold in check our thoughts of disdain for some aspect of another? Unless the other can resist our own negative inner vibrations and persist in expressing unconditional acceptance (some martyrs are able to do this), we receive back the same energetic frequency that we covertly express. The response of a tuning fork to a particular sound vibration represents this principle of frequency resonance. At one level, this explains why the United States has so much violence. The hostile thoughts the majority has about all who are different can only call forth a reciprocal response in those considered alien.

If we overtly say we love another race or another religious group or people with different sexual preferences, but to ourselves say that we detest or reject their nature, we undermine our own message of love. The vibration that goes the farthest and has the deepest impact is the one we most dearly hold. And that is the one we are most likely to admit only to ourselves. Until we can achieve energetic (emotional) congruence between what we publicly express and what we devote inner energy to, we help create the world we dislike or fear. This is the scientific basis for the saying "If I want to change the world, I must start with myself."

How Can We Be Constructive?

In our interconnected, fully alive universe, the most powerful contribution we make to the nature of future reality consists of the vibrations we emit through the unceasing symphony or cacophony of our unspoken words. This explains why politicians, diplomats, and everyone else who do not speak their true feelings poison the field of subtle energies, laying the basis for their own failure. This principle works with two people or with a nation.

How can we avoid the negative effect of our antipathy for people and behaviors different from our own? In an interesting paradox of a universe informed by principles like that of vibration and polarity, the answer lies not in trying to make ourselves like them, but in the acceptance of their differences. With that deliberate act of acceptance comes the transmutation of our own negative projections into positive ones. When I accept others with their differences, rather than in spite of them, I transmit vibrations that invite a positive response rather than compel it.

In other words, when expression of our love is contingent-even though unstated-on change in the other, we emit internally inconsistent vibrations. That inconsistency is palpable to the other's subtle senses whether we intend it or not. Such cacophony can only lead to further disharmony in our relations. If we desire harmony, we must make a choice: Explicitly acknowledge either our unspoken contingency or accept the other as is. Making this choice, even if it involves maintaining our unease about the difference, changes the energetic dynamics. By owning our unspoken negative feelings, we cease projecting them towards the other.

So even if we do not immediately "love our enemy," the cessation of our unspoken negative emissions allows the vibrations in our own energy field to become positive. Then the principle of frequency resonance causes us to attract positive emotions from others rather than negative ones. Instead of our unspoken disdain of the other causing him to repel us, we have enlarged the circle of acceptance to encompass both of us.

* The subtle energies of our emotional field flow through the chakra system.

** Ordinary matter and energy are simply the obverse aspects (polarities) of the same phenomenon: one converts to the other. Thus, I use the term "matenergy."