Emotional Spectrum

My spiritual system and moral compass:

As embaressing as it feels to say out loud my belief system is based partially on a comic book and an old already preexisting belief system.

I was raised a Christian and was devout in my youth but as I got older and learned more I found many elements didnt jive with me at my core and in time realized it simply wasn’t the right organized religion for me.

My last year of highschool and my first year of University were some of the most difficult days of my life. Between a combination of family issues, stressing over my future, and intense anxiety regarding my idenity as a person and artist I eventually came to the conclusion that I did indeed something to believe in with all my heart.

This is one of my favourite comic book stories I’ve ever read. It’s the DC comics event called Blackest Night by the talented Geoff Johns, running from 2009-2010.

Green Lantern always appealed to me as an artist (especially one with ADHD) simply cause the ability to create anything I can imagine infront of my eyes trully is the ultimate dream.

Another reason the lore related to me was because of the four Green Lanterns from Earth one was an artist (left) and the other was a Black man by the name of John Stewart(right), which just happens to be the name of one of my late uncles.

The nature of the Green Lantern ring was unlike most other superpowers as the heroes are usually born special or experience some fluke life changing accident. The GL ring was different since it was a power that any person could attain so long as they were deemed worthy by being able to “overcome great fear”.

In Blackest Night however it goes a step further by stating there is an emotional spectrum and each emotion/colour grants unique powers. This was very attractive to me as it made emotions empowering above anything else.

Each Lantern is like a space police force, guarding and enforcing each emotion: Red Lanterns for Rage, Orange for Avarice/Greed, Yellow for Fear, Green for Will-Power, Blue for Hope, Indigo for Compassion and Magenta for Love.

These are the 7 Chakras from Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. Founded between 1500 and 500 BC in India, it is believed that the human body is filled with points where physical and psycological energies intersect and collect. There are thousands of these areas or chakras within the body and 7 prominent points exist along the spinal column.

As I researched and familiarized myself with these 7 diifferent chakras I noticed how emotions and feelings were never demonized. Anger, desire, nor fear are ever described as bad emotions. Instead, in similar spectrum fashion, I noticed how there was an emphasis on balance and mindfulness.

I just wanna say that I know this is a huge simplification of this belief system, its history, and the culture that surrounds it. Definitely do your own research if your interested and please reach out as I am always trying to be open to new info, insights, and perspectives.

I became obsessed with these two vastly different but obsiously similar concepts, reading into them each tirelessly. Eventually I drew similarites and came to conclsuions that sat comfortably with me.

By combining the two I created what I call the Energies. I’ve written morals and mantras for each and recite them every morning. It gives me an immense amount of clarity and piece of mind. On days I dont “unlock my chakras and release my energies” I feel like my emotions are raw open wounds making me noticably more impulsive, reactionary, and emotional.

I think its very very important that we aknowledge our emotions, listening to them and using them as guides. Using them rather than being used by them.

Growing up in a black single mother household with three older brothers the term “man-up” or “like a girl” were not uncommon. I want to create a healthy and safe emotional environment for my children.

My goal is to build a level of emotional stability that will allow me to be vulnurable yet firm, understanding enough to connect with those I may disagree with, and the ability to overcome my own negative feelings and ways of thinking.

This is something I’ve been working on and tweaking for the past 10 years or so and it means a lot to me. I’m really looking forward to exploring and sharing more about it so thanks for reading!