A
2 hour workshop to learn about the anatomy of the energy field,
exchange of energy between people, character types and the
power that intention has in an individual’s life and
in group dynamics. See calendar of events.
A
simple and efficient method is taught to align and focus groups
to increase performance, minimize conflicts and reduce the
time required to reach group objectives.
The
workshop can be tailored to individual needs and the length
can be extended beyond 2 hours to include experientials that
will help participants understand and have an experience of
the energy field.
Participating
in a group (one on one, team, meeting or committee) at work
and leisure activities is one of the many ways we experience
relationships. All relationships are a mirror through which
we are able to learn about ourselves and experience personal
growth.
Often,
the group’s goals are not well defined or understood
by all participants. Distractions, social dynamics and personalities
get in the way and delay the process of achieving the group’s
goals. Through an understanding of the four dimensions of
humankind, particularly the hara dimension that holds our
intention and our deepest longings, we can begin to understand
the Power of Intention and the role it plays in our lives.
A
simple technique called "Group Hara Alignment" can
be used effectively to consciously align members of small
and large groups so that they can focus on the task at hand.
The technique allows individuals to reflect on and remember
their purpose for being in the group and to participate in
ways that remove barriers and minimize conflicts. This allows
the participants to be creative while having fun, share their
unique gifts with the groups and fulfil their life and world
tasks.
This
paper presents the relationship between the physical dimension
and energy, presents the concept of the hara and intentionality
and presents a simplified technique to apply the Power of
Intention. In addition, the paper relates feedback and experiences
from individuals to whom this material was presented, as well
as personal experiences in which the technique was used by
the author.
THE
POWER OF INTENTION IN FOCUSING GROUPS
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Introduction
Everything
we do originates from our divine core. The pure divine creative
impulse from the core filters down through the various dimensions
to manifest itself in the physical world.
Using
a birdhouse as an example, one gets a creative impulse to
build a birdhouse and sets the intention to do so. Thoughts
and ideas emerge on how this birdhouse will look and finally,
all the materials are gathered to put it together. The birdhouse
is physically built or “manifested” and then placed
in an accessible location for the birds to use.
This
paper demonstrates that our bodies are energy and that everything
is interconnected. The four dimensions of humankind are introduced
and the role that each dimension plays in small group interactions
is explained. Since will and intention both play a part in
manifesting what we want or desire, each is defined and discussed.
The
complete and simplified techniques for group alignment are
explained. Examples of its use by the author’s and various
other individuals are presented.
This
paper is based on the work of Barbara Brennan who has been
a healer and a teacher for over 25 years. Her work is published
in two books, one Hands of Light, and the other Light Emerging.
Barbara currently leads a school (The Barbara Brennan School
of Healing, or BBSH), where these principles have been taught
in great depth for the past 20 years.
1.
Energy Body, Interconnectedness and Relationships
1.1
From Solid Body to Energy Body
There
has been significant development in our scientific view of
the human body in the last century. Newton, Einstein and Atomic
Physics have shown us that the human body is made up of atoms
that are really crystallized energy. The size and relative
distance between the nucleus and the electrons in atoms is
such that it is mostly empty space. Our body is an energy
field, but mostly empty space!
Holograms
have been around since 1965. If you cut up a hologram into
smaller and smaller pieces, each piece still contains the
entire image; it just gets fuzzier and fuzzier. Each piece
has all the information for the whole three-dimensional representation.
This principle is also mirrored in our body cells. The human
DNA has all the information required to construct the entire
human body.
“The
hologram provides us with a new and unique model which may
help science to understand the energetic structure of the
universe as well as the multidimensional nature of human beings”. The holographic concept “states that every
piece is an exact representation of the whole and can be used
to reconstruct the entire hologram”.
1.2
Interconnectedness of all Things
Brennan
reports that “Scientists are now finding evidence for
a universal, immediate connectedness within the framework
of science, both mathematically and experimentally."
She goes on to reference Bell’s theorem
which supports the concept that subatomic particles are connected
in some way that transcends time and space.
The
phrase from the modern chaos theory expresses that “A
butterfly flapping its wings in North America can be felt
all the way to Japan”. It is well known in physics that
an experimenter cannot observe anything without affecting
it in some way.
When
we combine the holographic principle, modern physics, chaos
theory, and interconnectedness, we can see that everything
is energy and everything is inter-related.
1.3
Interconnectedness in Relationships and Groups
This
interconnectedness applies as well in our personal and group
relationships. Any interaction with another affects the other,
those in the vicinity and those that we subsequently interact
with. How we walk away from one interaction influences how
we approach and interact with the next person. People’s
behavior and words affect all other members in a group.
2.
The Four Dimensions of Humankind
In
her book “Light Emerging”, Brennan presents the
four dimensions of humankind. These are the Physical, Aura,
Hara and Core Star dimensions.
2.1
The Physical Dimension (the “Real” World)
This
dimension is the physical world that we are all familiar with.
This is what we recognize as reality as it manifests itself
in our lives. In addition to the world (our physical bodies,
objects, planets, earth, etc) this dimension includes other
people, and our relationships with them. It is in the physical
world that we see the result of the energy and consciousness
of the other three dimensions.
2.2
The Dimension of the Universal and Human Energy Fields (Personality)
The
second dimension is that of the Universal Energy Field (UEF)
and the Human Energy Field (HEF, otherwise known as the Aura).
The energy field is a template for the physical body and is
the vehicle for all psychosomatic reactions. The aura defines
our personality and how we interact with others in relationships
and groups.
2.2.1
Universal Energy Field
The
Universal Energy Field (UEF) is made up of universal energy.
This energy has commonly been referred to as Vital Energy,
Chi, Ki or Prana. This energy has consciousness and nurtures
all living things and all matter. This energy permeates the
universe and interconnects all things. Brennan gives a comprehensive
history of references to the UEF.
2.2.2
Human Energy Field
The
Human Energy Field (HEF) is that part of the UEF that is intimately
connected to human life. It is the level where an energetic
framework exists upon which the physical world rests. On this
level, energy and consciousness cannot be separated. The HEF
or aura is made up of chakras and levels (commonly referred
to as energy or etheric bodies).
Chakras
Chakra
is the Sanskrit word for “wheel”. Chakras act
as funnels, which spin and “collect” the energy
from the UEF and metabolize it for use by our body. Each chakra
nourishes endocrine glands and specific organs and each chakra
also governs a psychodynamic function. As an example, the
5th chakra nourishes the vocal apparatus, the lungs and bronchia.
In addition, this chakra influences how we feel about our
place in society, how we are able to express ourselves, our
ability to ask for what we need and our ability to receive.
There
are 7 main chakras, and many other secondary chakras. The
locations of the 7 main chakras correspond closely to that
of the endocrine glands. In the “vertical” plane,
there is one chakra located at the head (crown chakra) and
another at the perineum (root chakra). There are 5 others
located in the horizontal plane, one each at the 3rd eye,
the throat, the heart, the solar plexus and the pelvis. Each
of the chakras on the horizontal plane has a front and a rear
aspect. In general, the front aspects of the chakras relate
to our emotions, the back aspects to our will and the head
chakras to our reason.
Levels
The
HEF has 7 levels. Each level of the field is of a unique vibrational
frequency and is super-imposed over the other. Each level
radiates out from the core and “sits” just above
the physical body and the other levels in correspondingly
higher levels of vibration (not layered like an onion). The
complete aura usually radiates out approximately 3-½
feet from the body, more or less, depending on the state of
the person.
The
first three levels relate to our physical aspects (physical
sensations, emotions with respect to self, and mental or rational
mind). The fourth level relates to our relationships with
others and is the bridge between our physical and our spiritual
aspects. Levels 5, 6 & 7 relate to our spiritual aspects
(divine will, divine love and divine mind).
In
the same way that a magnetic field influences its surroundings,
the Human Energy Field affects its environment.
2.3.
The Hara Dimension (Intention)
The
hara dimension lies beneath the aura and is the foundation
upon which the aura rests.
2.3.1
Traditional Hara
Hara
is a Japanese word that means “belly”. “By
Hara the Japanese understand an all-inclusive general attitude
which enables one to open oneself to the power and wholeness
of the original life-force and to testify to it by the fulfillment,
the meaningfulness and the mastery displayed in one’s
own life.”
The
hara is related to the Chinese concept of the Dan-Tien (or
Tan Tien). The ancient Chinese texts describe the Dan-Tien
as “the best place in the belly”. Both the hara
and Tan Tien relate this center point (located at our body’s
center of gravity just below the navel) to our centered-ness.
All martial arts teach the students to move and direct power
from the hara.
From
the hara, one connects downwards to the earth and upwards
to heaven. This is a state where just the right balance of
tension and relaxation is held in the muscles. Standing in
hara, one is rooted to the earth and is not likely to lose
balance. Working from hara is effortless and not a question
of will.
A
person who has reconnected with and is in hara is centered
in their being, is calm and has presence of mind. This person
is connected to essence and wholeness. Hara is a birthright,
but is usually forgotten or lost by the time we reach adolescence.
2.3.2
Hara According to Brennan
The
Hara dimension, according to Brennan, is the place where we
hold our intention and our deepest longing. The intention
is related to how we are able to manifest what we desire in
our lives. The longing is related to our personal and world
tasks.
In
this dimension, the hara consists of a thin laser-like line
in the center of the body. The line connects three points
along the line and connects down to the earth. The three points
are:
ID
point – The individuation point (ID) is our connection
to our higher spiritual reality. It is located about three
feet above the head.
Soul
Seat - The Soul Seat holds our longing, what we most deeply
wish for in this life. It is located just above the heart.
Tan-Tien
– The Tan Tien is the center of power that is recognized
in all forms of martial arts. It is located at the center
of gravity of the body, about two inches below the navel.
A
healthy hara line is straight, energized and deeply rooted
into the earth. When this line is healthy, we feel whole and
synchronized with our personal purpose.
The
hara is the first dimension where the creative impulse can
be distorted as it emerges from the core of our being, our
essence. When the intention is set on this dimension, it affects
the dimension of the aura and that of the physical body. This
is crucial to activities in daily life. It is from here that
our interactions with groups (relationships) can be influenced.
This will be expanded upon in section 5.
2.4.
Core Star Dimension
The
fourth dimension of humankind is that of the Core Star. This
dimension lies beneath the dimension of the hara. Physically,
the Core Star is located at the approximate dimensional center
of the body or about one and one-half inches above the navel.
The
core star is the place where we hold our essence, all of who
we are, and is our connection to divinity. It is our divine
spark, our God within. It exists outside of time, space, physical
incarnation, and even the concept of the soul. All of our
creative impulses originate in our core and filter down through
the other dimensions until they manifest in our physical world.
2.5
Distortions in the Four Dimensions
As
individuals, we each have our own way of managing the energy
field and our intention. This affects our personalities and
our group interaction.
As
we interact with the world at a young age, we attempt to express
our needs and our love for others around us. From the child’s
perspective, unexpected adult reactions can be interpreted
as rejection, abandonment, betrayal, control, invasion, or
a combination of these. These experiences are unpleasant and
at times even traumatic.
Over
time we learn defense mechanisms to avoid feeling the pain.
These defenses block feelings and expression and therefore
the flow of energy. These reactions eventually create energetic
blocks and/or distortions in the various dimensions.
In the dimension of hara, the distortions show up as breaks,
bends and weaknesses in the hara line. When this happens,
we are not aligned with our purpose and our intention gets
distorted. We are disconnected from our longings, the earth
and/or spirituality.
In the aura or HEF, they become blocks that prevent the
energy from flowing. These blockages result in experiencing
pain, self-judgements, lack of clarity, limiting beliefs,
emotional blocks and distortions, lack of self-love and
distorted relationships. Our love becomes conditional rather
than unconditional and our relationships become difficult
and unpleasant.
In the chakras, they show up as dysfunctional or torn chakras.
Chakras that do not function well do not nourish the body
and organs properly; this leads to disease in those areas
where there is dysfunction and to imbalance in the areas
of life governed by these chakras.
In the physical body, they manifest as disease, tensions,
muscle spasms or other pathologies.
3.
Personality and Character Structure
The
distortions described above become habitual defense mechanisms
developed from the specific childhood wounds and traumas for
each individual. These images, limiting beliefs and defense
mechanisms become our personalities and govern how we interact
with others thereby “shaping and controlling”
our lives. In many different ways, they stifle our life force
and distort or squelch the creative impulses that well up
from our Core.
Character
structure (characterology) is a term that many body psychotherapists
use to describe certain physical and psychological types of
people. Wilhelm Reich identified five major categories after
noticing that people with similar childhood experiences had
similar bodies. Aspects of the
personality make-up, physical and energetic systems of these
character structures are detailed in Brennan’s Hands
of Light, chapter 13, and further detailed in her book Light
Emerging, chapter 15.
Brennan
characterizes several energetic defense systems that are used
at different times such as porcupine, withdrawal, verbal denial,
oral sucking, hooks, mental grasp, tentacles, silent obvious
brooding, hysteria, boundary containment, power/will display
or a combination of any of these.
Some of these may seem familiar; everyone uses one or more
of these in relationship with others.
Defenses
and character structures demonstrate who we are not, rather
than who we are. Even though we may be aware of an individual’s
defense, it is important not to lose sight of that individual’s
unique essence and gifts
4.
Will and Intention
Intention
and will are present in every moment of our lives, in everything
we do and in every relationship we enter into. Understanding
these concepts is very important when it comes to group interactions,
whether they occur in the workplace, extra-curricular activities,
play or personal development.
When
we want to accomplish a task or set a direction in our lives,
we first think of what we want to do, decide on it and then
direct our energy to make this happen (manifest). This energy
can emerge from a place of will or from a place of intention.
4.1
Intention
Intention
(or intent) is a pure decision or choice to act on a creative
impulse from the core for future execution or manifestation.
It is bringing an idea into the physical world. “The
mere word intention connotes that the self is in charge; makes
a deliberate choice, intends to do, act, be….”.
Intention
can be positive or negative; it can also be effortless.
“Negative
intent is the intention to hold on to the state of negating
life and the self, of choosing separation. Negative intent
will manifest in those choices motivated by pride, self-will,
and fear; it is the choice to stay separated, isolated, and
alone”.
“Positive
intention is the ability to make a choice for the unitive
(harmonious) state… and will manifest in those choices
motivated by love, truth, integrity, courage, harmony, and
joy. It is the intention to be unified within your own being
and to hold that unitive consciousness in your interactions
with others. Positive intention is the intention for the flow
of life to occur”.
Effortless
intention is pure intentionality, simply allowing things to
unfold to manifest what is desired. It means no pushing and
letting go of a rigid time frame and the expectations that
go along with that. Effortless intention can be achieved through
patience, surrender and faith.
Carol,
a recent graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing,
had been undecided as to how, where and when to establish
her practice. About a year after graduation, she woke up one
morning and decided it was time. She set her intention to
make it happen and trusted that the Universe would provide.
Amazingly and without effort, a beautiful space became available
in an ideal location at low rent. When it came time to buy
furniture, much of what she needed and liked was on sale.
Her practice is now well established. This is a good example
of how effortless intention manifested in her life.
4.2.
Will
Will
is the driving force that allows us to accomplish what we
want. It can be seen as a vehicle to manifest a set intention.
Will
is either balanced, underused or abused.
When
will is underused, we become “push-overs” and
give our power away. When will is abused, it becomes “power-over”.
This is pushing and controlling one’s or others’
actions in order to get results. This causes unhealthy competition,
aggression, war, unpleasant relationships and exhaustion,
with little or no regard for who or what is in the way. When
will is underused or abused, it is not balanced with reason
and emotion.
In
the positive sense will is associated with strength of character,
success and wholesome competition. Balanced will allows us
to move forward and overcome obstacles and fears using just
the right amount of reason and emotion.
5.
Hara and Groups
As
previously stated, when the intention is set on the hara dimension,
it affects the dimension of the aura and that of the physical
body. This is crucial to activities in daily life. It is from
here that group interactions can be influenced.
5.1
Hara at the Individual Level
At
the individual level, “Setting one’s intention
is an act of conscious choice wherein you align your reason,
will, and emotion and choose to do, act, or be in a particular
way in support of a desired outcome”.
When
the hara is healthy and we are aligned to our hara, we feel
a lot of personal integrity, power and personal purpose because
we are synchronized with the universal purpose. It’s
not about being right or wrong, it is about being in alignment.
Since universal purpose has no adversaries; people who argue
or take adversarial positions can not possibly be aligned.
When we are not aligned, we easily slip into our automatic
reactions or defenses. It is then that we are at cross purposes
with others and our own life purpose.
“Anywhere
in our lives, including health and healing, where we have
trouble creating what we want, is where we have mixed intentions
or crossed purposes.”“To the extent that you have
aligned your hara line, to that exact degree you are on line
with your purpose and in positive Intent. To the extent that
you are not on line in your haric level, to that exact degree
you are in negative Intent. It is as simple as that.”[13]
5.2
Hara at the Group Level
As
we have seen, we are holographically connected to everything
and everyone; the state of our hara (intention) directly affects
our relationships and group interactions. The individual’s
purpose is connected to the group’s purpose. Once the
individual has aligned purpose in the moment with personal
and life tasks, and connects to the reason for being present
in the group, this automatically aligns his/her purpose to
the group’s purpose.
When
each individual has set intention to achieve the group objectives,
participation becomes one with the task at hand. Each individual’s
creativity wells up from essence and contributes to the group’s
intention. Since each of us is unique, we contribute our own
gifts to the group, thus enriching the group’s experience.
All interactions are much smoother.
Once
the group’s purpose is defined and a few of the individuals
have aligned, a group hara line emerges which represents the
group’s intention. As more and more individuals align,
this helps others to align also, (snowball effect through
harmonic induction). As more and more individuals align to
the group’s intention, the group hara gets stronger
and stronger. Each individual’s hara is connected to
the group hara like the spokes on a wheel.
This
alignment can actually be felt; the energy in the room will
feel different, it will be much more solid and everyone will
be more centered, calm and focused. The reason this works
is that, as each individual aligns hara and sets intention,
the creative impulse that emerges from the core of each individual
is not distorted as it filters down through the different
dimensions. It can then manifest in the physical world in
as pure a form as possible, aligned with the individual’s
and the group’s purpose. In this scenario, everybody
wins.
This
process may seem chaotic at first, but if the chaos is allowed
to exist, it will gradually shift into the desired result.
5.3
Techniques for Group Alignment (Focusing)
There
are specific techniques for aligning a group or setting and
strengthening the group’s hara line.
A
complete and rather elaborate technique will be presented
first, followed by some less “esoteric” and simpler
methods.
5.3.1
Grounding
The
majority of people live in their upper body, their heads or
in some cases, out of the body. Most people do not bring the
breath into the lower abdomen. These people are not fully
present and are “ungrounded”.
Grounding
is the act of bringing our awareness to our connection with
the earth. This helps us to get our “feet on the ground”
and helps us to center into our wholeness. It brings us back
to the balance between upper and lower, between heaven and
earth.
Grounding
can be improved/achieved by the following exercise:
The legs are spread about shoulder width apart, with the feet
parallel. Most people have a tendency to have either the toes
pointed inward or outward.
The knees are slightly bent in a solid stance.
The neck and back are kept straight.
The awareness is brought into the lower body so that the legs
and feet are felt as part of the whole being. Heat or energy
may be felt in the lower body.
One imagines growing roots down into the earth and being solidly
anchored and supported.
The breath is drawn deeply into the lower abdomen and fully
released.
The
exercise will help find one’s center and truth, and
will calm the mind. This is useful when feeling scattered
or nervous or before going into a meeting.
5.3.2
Alignment
These
are the steps to align a group of individuals to the group
hara.
Have the group form a circle, sitting or standing (this is
desired, but optional).
Have the group go through the following:
Ask them to ground.
Ask them to imagine a golden laser line of light in the center
of the body, extending above the head and down into the earth.
Tell them that this is their line of intention.
Invite them to align their personal purpose for being present
in this group with the group’s purpose. You might use
the following words “Align your personal purpose for
being here with the group’s purpose which is (State
the group purpose and include the words creative and fun.).
Now, allow your intention to carry your essence and your longing
as it cascades down through the auric field into the physical
world, allowing you to share your unique gift with all who
are participating here.”
Remind them that this work/activity is an expression of who
they are at every level.
Pause and allow a minute or so for everyone to consciously
do this.
Once this is done, begin the meeting or group activity.
If conflicts begin to arise, this means that the intention
has wavered. Repeat the exercise.
5.3.3
Simplified Techniques
Although
the above exercise is the ideal way to set a group intention,
it may be a real challenge if you are timid, or if some of
the individuals in the group might find this relatively new
concept too esoteric.
In
these circumstances, you may want to consider alternate ways
to bring everyone together. A few ways are suggested below
to introduce the concept to make it more acceptable or “user-friendly”
for the participants. The more the exercise is practiced,
the more easily a wording will emerge that is perfect for
each situation.
As
group leader
“Before
we begin, I would like to invite you to become conscious that
your presence in this group, and the work that you do, is
a representation of who you are, and allows you to contribute
your unique gift to the world. Now, imagine a laser line of
light going through the center or your body, connecting you
all the way down to the core of the earth. This is your line
of intention. Please take a moment to align your intention
and personal purpose for being here now with the group objective
which is (state objective). This will help our group to focus
and reach our goal more quickly and with less conflict.”
“OK everyone, let’s all get started. I believe
our group’s purpose in getting together is “state
purpose”. I invite everyone to think about the ways
that this activity/meeting fits into their life/job and to
set their intention to participate in a way which will result
in a win/win situation. This will greatly help us to achieve
our goals smoothly and rapidly.”
“Does everyone remember why we are here today? Here’s
how I would summarize our purpose. State purpose. Does anyone
have any comments or anything to add to this? OK then, lets
get started and remember to contribute in a way that everyone
can bring their creativity to the group in a fun way and that
everyone comes out a winner.”
“This is a very important meeting/activity today. Here
is what we hope to achieve. State goal. You are all here because
you have something valuable to contribute. This will help
our group/company grow, focus our efforts, be creative and
in the end save us time and money. Does anyone have anything
to add before we get started?”
Remember
that, the more you can bring the participants to focus inward
on their life purpose using any words or phrases you can come
up with, the better each will realize how this activity fits
into their life and the better each will be able to align
to the group’s intention.
As
participant, not leading the group
The
above can be easily done if you are leading the group activity
or meeting because you can decide what to do and say first.
However, if you are not leading the group but are one of the
participants, you might use the following invitation:
“Say everyone, I was just reading about (or learned)
a really neat exercise to help us focus on our attention and
achieve our goals. I would really appreciate if everyone was
willing to go along with me and try it just this once. This
will only take a minute. Is that OK with everyone?”
You
can then use one or a combination of the statements suggested
above to align the group. They will probably ask you to do
it again the next time you get together !
5.3.4
Holding a Group
If
even one individual in the group has aligned his/her hara
and is aligned with the group purpose, this will influence
the group through harmonic induction. Thus, to some extent,
you are able to hold a group even if no one has done the above
exercise. You will notice that if you have aligned your purpose
and set your intention to be present from your wholeness,
you will interact from a place of unity. You will be able
to gently bring the group back when it steers off course,
especially if you remember to do it from a place of intention
rather than will.
Of
course, the more people in the group that know this and align
their hara, the stronger the group hara will be and the smoother
everything will flow. This will manifest even though the exercise
is not actually verbalized. Verbalizing it, however, crystallizes
the intention in everyone’s mind and allows a much more
creative, effective and focused activity.
5.3.5
Situations where this Technique may be Effective
The
above technique can be used in many different situations.
·
It can be used in your personal life to help align and manifest
what you need. This is a great way to start the day, and it
can be repeated anytime that you need to focus on a specific
activity.
·
It can be used simply to “set your intention”
to manifest anything at all. This could be as simple as “I
want to meet this person today” or “I need to
find a more meaningful job”. Go through the exercise,
say “I set my intention to ……….”,
and then let it go. Letting it go means to not consciously
think of how you will “will” it to happen, but
to release with the trust that the universe will provide once
you have set your intention. You will be surprised at how
effortlessly you will achieve results.
It can be used in any activity where two or more people have
decided to collaborate in:
A task, or a meeting, or a negotiation session
A project where teamwork is required
A corporate strategy review session
A training session
A discussion with a partner about relationship
A meeting with your boss or employee
Any other activity, your imagination is the limit!
6.
Personal Experience with Group Hara
The
author has successfully used the above technique in the following
situations:
Band
Performance
The
author is a member of a four-piece bluegrass band. The technique
is used before every important practice, concert, or recording
session, or simply anytime the group feels scattered, distracted
and is having trouble focusing (ie. making mistakes, forgetting
words). If other people are participating (coordinator,
recording or sound engineer), they are invited to participate
in the exercise. This brings them into the group hara.
Invariably,
the concerts are successful, fun and creative. The synergy
and sense of belonging to the group are truly felt, and
the audiences are delighted. The production of the group’s
first CD, which was recorded live, took very little studio
time and the group was very happy with the results. This
technique was used at the beginning of every recording session.
Amateur
Theatre Group
The
author was involved in an amateur theatre group, with about
20 participants varying in age from 10 to 70 years. This
technique was first used a couple of years ago before the
first performance, and the group has since requested that
the exercise be repeated every time.
Ceremony
During
the last week of every year at the Barbara Brennan School,
each class creates a ceremony to share the journey through
the year with the rest of the school. Group hara alignment
is routinely used in meetings to plan the event, at the
dress rehearsal and before the final performance. It is
amazing how everything that seemed chaotic until the last
minute just flows together smoothly and effortlessly to
everyone’s (including the audience’s) delight.
Presentation
When
this paper was presented to “research” audiences,
this exercise was the first thing on the agenda, even before
anyone knew what it meant. This helped each individual to
focus and the group intention to solidify. The stated purpose
was always to “be curious about this new material
and be open to its applicability in our life to bring about
creativity in a fun way”.
7.
Feedback from Presentation of this Material to Various Groups
In
the course of this project, this material was presented to
64 people in 6 different groups. 3 of the groups were engineering
office personnel (41), 1 was a private network of practicing
therapists (12), 1 was a team of university career counselors
(6) and 1 was general public (5).
A
questionnaire was distributed to the participants immediately
after the presentation, and another a few months later.
7.1
Summary of Answers to Questionnaires
The
questionnaire filled out immediately after the presentation
indicated the following results:
68% had not heard about the HEF; this was their 1st introduction.
79% found the relationship between the human body and the
HEF clear.
16% had used the principle of intention in a group context
before.
97% recognized the difference between will and intention.
65% found the exercise in grounding useful.
46% had used a similar technique in the past (prayer, stating
group objective).
92% clearly understood the technique to align a group after
the presentation.
55% foresaw using this technique in the future, and 28%
did not know.
Most found the suggested wording adequate.
81% understood how setting intention might benefit them
in their personal life.
90% were curious to learn more about the HEF.
The
average of responses from the second questionnaire on a
scale of 1 – 5 (1 being no increase, 5 being a significant
increase) indicated that:
There was a slight increase in the awareness of whether
a group was aligned (1.7/5).
There was moderate increase in peoples’ awareness
of their own intention (2.5/5).
There was a slight increase in awareness in energetic interactions
between people (2/5).
There was a slight increase in awareness in the difference
between will and intention (2/5).
45% wished they could have used this technique in some of
the meetings they attended.
89% has not used the technique since the presentation.
7.2
Personal Feedback from the Presentation Audiences
The
following is feedback received from some of the individuals
that attended the seminars.
Student
Project
8-10
students of group dynamics had to create a skit representing
what they had learned in the course. They chose to act out
scenes from the popular movie “Matrix”. At the
suggestion of one of the students at the dress rehearsal,
they all agreed to try out the group hara exercise. Satisfied
with the outcome, the group requested that the exercise be
repeated before the actual performance. The resulting presentation
went very well and got very good grades.
Human
Resources Manager – Engineering Office
“I
try to center my intention before every important or delicate
interaction so that I can get the right message across. I
try more and more to tell the person I am meeting what the
purpose of our meeting is so that we can point our energies
in the same direction. I have noticed a positive change in
myself. I understand more I and am more receptive and I can
return to a balanced state much more quickly than before.
I am less and less defensive and accept that I cannot have
all the answers and solve all the situations.”
Engineer
– Manager of Proposals
“I
use what you have taught us every day. This helps me to be
more focused on the day’s purpose. This allows me a
few moments to choose how I want my day to unfold and what
I want to accomplish this day.”
Drum
Circle Participant
“Using
group hara in our drum circle has resulted in the work becoming
focused and strong and the solidity can be felt in the room.
A lot of work and individual healing gets done.”
Workshop
Participant
“It
blew me away and melted my heart that my own individual longings
and intent were welcome and embraced and held by the group
and I felt SO empowered, so welcome, SO BELONGING, to be asked/expected
to help others hold their own hara. Few words were spoken,
but the feeling was palpable. Throughout the weekend, prior
to each segment, and after every break, we would circle up
and reset our individual and group hara. Had I known this
procedure, it would have made a HUGE difference in my corporate
career.”
8.
Summary and Conclusion
The
physical body is an energetic configuration. Everyone is holographically
interconnected with everything in the universe. The HEF nourishes
the human body and holds emotions, thoughts and beliefs before
they manifest in the physical world. The HEF is also a vehicle
for interpersonal relationships. The hara dimension carries
our intention. Our Core Star holds our essence and our divinity.
Childhood
experiences lead to automatic responses that cause distortions
in the field, and in an individual’s intention. As the
creative impulse emerges from one’s core, it is distorted
as it cascades down through the dimensions of intention and
aura to manifest in the physical world. This results in conflicts
in relationships and group interactions.
Understanding
and using group hara can be used very effectively to:
realign oneself with one’s personal purpose for participation
in a group;
focus the group and enhance the participation and creativity
of every individual in the group by aligning each individual’s
life purpose with the group’s purpose;
manifest what one longs for in life and bring about desired
changes.
This
technique can be used in personal and group activities, at
the workplace or in leisure activity, in such a way that those
unfamiliar with the concepts will accept and embrace it once
they have experienced it for the first time. By using the
technique, conflicts are minimized, fear is dispersed and
creativity flows. This allows each individual to contribute
their unique gift to the group and therefore the world. Individual
ideas, rather than not being expressed, are enhanced and contribute
to the final outcome. Everybody wins.
Presentation
of these concepts to uninitiated individuals was effective
in introducing the concept of the four dimensions of humankind
and the technique of group alignment. Most gained an increase
awareness of the impact of setting intention as a group and
many were curious to continue to learn more about these new
concepts.
These
are encouraging results and indicate that further work in
this field will be very beneficial in the corporate and personal
environment as awareness of the importance of intention increases.
Bibliography
Brennan,
Barbara Ann, Le pouvoir bénéfique des mains
(Hands of Light, A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy
Field, Bantam Books, 1988, ISBN 0-553-34539-7)
1-Brennan,
Barbara Ann, Guérir par la lumière (Light Emerging,
The Journey of Personal Healing, Bantam Books, 1993, ISBN
0-553-35456-6)
2-Gerber,
Richard, Vibrational Medicine¸ Bear & Company Publishing,
1988, ISBN 1-879181-28-2
3-Von
Dürckheim, Karlfried.Graf. Hara: The Vital Center of
Man (S. Von Kospoth & E. Healey, Trans), London: Unwin
Paperbacks, 1962, (original work published 1956).
4-Luisa
Jaffé, PS4 project for BBSH-2000, The Power of Intention:
How to bring our longings to manifestation
5-Yamaoka,
S. The Art and the Way of Hara, Singapore: Heian, 1992, (original
work published in 1976)
6-Markert,
C. Dan-Tien: Your Secret Energy Center, York Beach, Maine:
Samuel Weiser, inc.
7-Almaas,
H. Diamond Heart Book 3: Being and the Meaning of Life
8-Whiteside,
John, The Phoenix Agenda
9-Whiteside,
John & Egli, Sandra, Flight of the Phoenix
10-Pathwork
Guide, Lecture #195, Identification With the Spiritual Self
to Overcome Negative Intentionality
11-Barbara
Brennan School of Healing (BBSH), Student Workbook Year 3,
AK 8
12-Talbot,
Michael, The Holographic Universe, Harper Perennial, 1992,
ISBN 0-06-092258-3
Session ?
Reiki
Activation
In the dimension of hara, the distortions show up as breaks,
bends and weaknesses in the hara line. When this happens,
we are not aligned with our purpose and our intention gets
distorted. We are disconnected from our longings, the earth
and/or spirituality.