Mass hysteria lives at the crossroads of sociology and psychology. The word “hysteria” is derived from the Greek word “hystera,” meaning “uterus,” attaching the condition as specific to women. The term used to describe any violent outburst of emotion gained such negative connotations, it was “retired” by the American Psychiatric Association in 1952. Mass hysteria was eventually replaced by “collective obsessional behavior”.
Regardless of the term used, the effect has been highlighted by the recent global reaction to the coronavirus or COVID-19. My inbox has been flooded with burning questions around this epidemic. The whispers have included the need to preserve our inner well-being and to avoid worry. The information we consume through what we read, watch, or hear may affect our well-being in unexpected ways. Researchers are convinced that social media is a likely vehicle for the spread of mass panic. Some psychologists believe mass panic is a form of groupthink, which describes a group where all members develop a common fear that often spirals into panic. The group members feed off each other’s emotional reactions, causing the panic to escalate.
Whenever people witness an emergency situation or see someone getting harmed, our brains are hard-wired to react with primary emotions such as fear or anger. In times of uncertainty, the part of the brain which deals with emotions hijacks the regions of the brain’s cognitive system that analyzes and interprets behavior. The result can be widespread panic, groupthink behavior, and the activation of our primal fight-or-flight or survival mode. So what can we find in a whisper to help see the big picture, ground the energy, and avoid hitting the panic button?
The human brain emits a high-level frequency generated by life-force energy collecting in the mind. Shooting into the upper atmosphere of the Earth, energy beams from the thoughts of different individuals cross streams like dueling swords. The effect is a collective consciousness that holds emotional content. If the dominant vibration is the emotion of fear, an independent energy with intelligence is formed that can influence human behavior. The result is a collective energy expressed as panic, emotional flooding, overwhelm, anxiety, or loss of cognitive abilities.
People need to acknowledge their heart connection first to validate fears in order to pause before overreacting. Respecting that another may feel uncomfortable with a subject helps calm the anxiety of the group. The spirit can experience difficulty with handling the emotional energy, so disengagement can become necessary, along with getting other views and opinions. One should avoid the constant barrage on the senses related to one subject that holds uncertainty.
Hoarding supplies can come across as a hostile act that adds to the climate of anxiety. Taking a break from social media and news can ease stress and tension. Rest can help calm the nerves, while exercise becomes essential to the proper organization of human energy flow, Facts are grounding and self-care is essential during times of global reactions to fear by the masses. Prayers work to create a collective-consciousness energy of love, peace, safety, and inner well-being. Love is the energy that soothes the spirit, heals the mind, and balances emotions. Remain connected to the truth, and Divinity will nurture you through world events that bring such fear.
Bring joy, ease suffering and create beauty, then dance like you mean it!
Blessings, Russell
“The majority is by no means omniscient just because it is the majority. In fact, I’ve found that the line which divides majority opinion from mass hysteria is often so fine as to be virtually invisible.” J. Paul Getty
