Introduction

Energy is an invisible life force that permeates every level of the universe, from subatomic particles to colossal galaxies. It exists in various forms, including the chemical energy found in the food we consume and the nuclear energy that powers our modern world. While we have made phenomenal strides in our understanding of different energies, there is one type that has remained elusive. Overlooked by many, this energy resides within the psyche—our mental energy.

Life requires energy to exist.

Mental energy refers to our level of sustained interest in doing or thinking about something. Think of it as a mental battery. It fuels our psyche, keeping us going throughout the day. And just like how a battery can be depleted and recharged, our mental energy can also be drained and replenished depending on the activity we are involved in.

As such, mental energy is a crucial component that influences our capacity to remain focused and productive in any endeavor, whether we are working on a challenging project, pursuing a passion, or simply carrying out our daily routines.

Mental Energy

It is important to note that our mental energy levels cannot be determined based on personality type alone. Being an Introvert does not automatically indicate lower mental energy, nor does being an Extravert guarantee higher energy levels.

Passion is energy.
Feel the power that comes
from focusing on what excites you.

Oprah Winfrey

Yet, when we talk about mental energy, it is common to hear that Introverts draw energy from being alone, while Extraverts gain it from social interactions. This statement may seem true at a glance, but it is often inaccurate when other variables are brought into question.

For example, if an Extravert attended a dinner with relatives whom they find annoying, wouldn't they feel exhausted by the end of the night? In contrast, an Introvert could probably spend an entire day doing things with their closest friends and still feel energized. Therefore, the act of being alone or spending time with others is not a surefire way to determine one’s mental energy level.

Let us consider another example. When we think of Introverts, we often associate them with a love of reading because it provides them a quiet space to recharge. However, this stereotype is wildly inaccurate as many Introverts don't even like to read. Even among those who do, their interest in a book largely depends on its style and genre. So, if an Introvert was forced to read a boring book by themselves, it would probably be an extremely draining experience.

On the other hand, many Extraverts are known to lose track of time while playing video games alone. And surprisingly, they may still feel energized even though they did not interact with a single person for the entire day. Because ultimately, the level of our mental energy does not depend on our personality type. Rather, it depends on the nature of our activity and its surrounding context. This explains why our mental energy is often limitless when we do the things we love.

Therefore, when assessing a person’s mental energy, it is essential to consider other factors that go beyond the usual stereotypes. More importantly, it is evident that our mental energy extends far beyond the dichotomy of extraversion and introversion. By examining it through the lens of cognitive functions, we will see correlations between our interests and mental energy level.

Activities that align with our dominant functions will usually leave us feeling energized. When we engage in these activities, we can go on and on without ever feeling depleted. However, when we involve ourselves in activities that are linked to our dreaded shadows, we tend to wind up feeling exhausted despite the initial burst of excitement.

Consequently, people often view their shadows in a negative light. However, as they mature with age, they might come to realize that there is only one wholesome way forward: to nurture compassion instead of hatred towards their shadows. This simple shift in perspective is all it takes to help us connect with our shadows, inspiring us to utilize and integrate them into our lives.

Energy Density

Exploring the concept of mental energy helps lay the groundwork for us to understand NXT Energy as a whole. With that said, let us dive into the first component of NXT Energy: Energy Density.

In NXT, Energy Density refers to the density of mental energy that constitutes the psyche, characterized by the Solidity or Fluidity of one's observations and decisions.

To better grasp the concept of Energy Density, we need to look beyond the traditional perception of energy. Instead, let us turn to a metaphysical form of energy that has long been described in ancient Chinese philosophy—the concept of Yin and Yang.

The duality of Yin and Yang depicts a universe where opposing forces are intertwined, bringing about a world where there can be no light without darkness, good without bad, and movement without stillness. Yin represents the feminine force of receptivity, while Yang represents the masculine force of action.

In truth, the idea of feminine and masculine energies is nothing new. It has been around for ages, pervading numerous cultures across the globe. For instance, Shaivism, a major Hindu tradition, speaks of the energies of Shiva and Shakti, which are the divine masculine and feminine energies present within all of us. Even the ancient Mayans divided the world up into masculine and feminine energies.

Undeniably, ancient wisdom has its merits. As we mapped this theory out to our observations of people, we found it to be true; every single individual within an archetype possessed a different composition of feminine or masculine energy. Furthermore, our findings showed that these energies influenced an individual’s temperament regardless of their gender. Seeking a more accurate term, we called this duality the Solid and Fluid energies.

Conclusion

As you will discover in this section, NXT Energy is broken into several parts: Energy Density, Energy Structure, and Energy Construct. When we put everything together, we can then derive an individual’s Type Temperament. Let us begin by exploring the first part: Energy Density.

Read next part → Energy Density [Energy]