Cleansing
by Ian Brown
Housework. Love it or loathe it, it has to be done, so if we can make the experience in any way more pleasant, and even more helpful to ourselves and our environment, then all the better. Psychologically, one's home can often represent one's own personality: emotions, experiences in life, hopes and dreams, and so on. Spiritually, there is naturally an intimate connection between who we are and where we live: both the environment we consciously choose for ourselves and the environment that circumstances might oblige us to live in. In whichever way we come to be where we are, there will always be a bond, on some level, between the self and the place where we spend most of our time.
So, if housework is necessary, let that bond be a help, and let the cleansing work on all levels.
This particular practice is nothing new. It's something of an old tradition; but, whether you're working with broomstick, mop, brush, duster or vacuum cleaner, it works equally as well.
Before beginning any house cleaning (and here I'm talking about the hoovering, dusting, mopping and so on - you know, those exciting things in life), let yourself know that your intention is to cleanse yourself and your environment of anything negative or stale, to be replaced by something far more healthy, from pure energy to all things physical, right the way through. Likewise, let yourself know that your intention is to cleanse your home in the same way: to physically cleanse your environment and to energetically purify your home.
Then, taking your vacuum cleaner, broom or whichever wondrous tool you wish to use for the purpose, begin in the innermost part of your home, working always outwards towards the exit (preferably the back door, if you have one). Work through each room in turn, from the farthest corner to the door, and then throughout the house until you reach the back door, all the time reminding yourself that, as you shift the dirt and dust, you're also energetically cleansing your home of anything negative or stale; and, at the same time, you're purifying yourself and making way for more healthy energy to come in. Finally, when you reach the back door, sweep or wash over the doorstep, pushing out the last of the dirt, negativity or staleness, whilst, at the same time, visualising and feeling any negativity leaving yourself with a long, glad, deep sigh. Then pause for a moment, take a deep breath, step back from the door and let the good new energy in. At this point, lighting a candle in any room (the closest to the centre of the house, the better; or a favourite room will do just as well) to encourage and welcome the clean new energy to enter your home, letting everything be renewed and revitalised at the same time.
It does make the job go much more easily, and, truly, you will feel better for it afterwards; and, if you repeat this exercise whenever you're cleaning, not only will the chore be more pleasant, but it will encourage new, healthier energy into yourself, your home and your life.
So, the next time you're doing your housework, well, have fun!