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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. An Abstract as well as
Roland’s entire article entitled "The Power of Intention in Focusing
Groups" is included below. Power of Intention Cost: Contact Us 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 To print out this paper, click here (paper) and print it out from the Adobe menu. If you don’t have Adobe reader, you can download it free on the following site (Adobe). 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”[1]. The holographic concept “states that every
piece is an exact representation of the whole and can be used to reconstruct
the entire hologram”[2]. 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."[3] 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.[4] 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.”[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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….”[8]. 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”.[9] “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”.[10] 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”.[11] 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.”[12] “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 |