How do you know whether something is true or not? Whether it’s good or bad? What does your level of consciousness have to do with it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite its title, Power vs. Force <\/em>by David Hawkins is really about human consciousness<\/a>. Hawkins discusses his theories for what consciousness is, how to measure it, how you can boost your consciousness<\/a>, and what a higher consciousness can do for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continue reading for an overview of this book that could open you up to a new perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Our overview of Power vs. Force<\/a> <\/em>by David Hawkins will answer the foundational questions of what consciousness is, how to measure it, and the connection between your consciousness and your body. Then, we\u2019ll explore Hawkins\u2019s theories about the link between your level of consciousness and your beliefs, behaviors, and emotions, and why higher levels of consciousness<\/a> create positive outcomes for both you and the world. Finally, we\u2019ll show how Hawkins\u2019s ideas create a virtuous cycle; in other words, why increasing your consciousness level will make it easier for you to continue <\/em>increasing your consciousness level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins (1927-2012) was a psychiatrist who specialized in treating schizophrenia and addiction. He founded or co-founded numerous organizations<\/a> for psychiatric care, and he received many awards and citations<\/a> for his contributions to medicine. Despite his prolific medical career, Hawkins is best known for his work in philosophy and spirituality. He spoke at many conferences and appeared on talk radio shows\u2014including Oprah Radio<\/em>\u2014to discuss his research into the nature of human consciousness, as well as holistic health practices that encompass physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins defines \u201cconsciousness\u201d as the ability to experience and understand yourself<\/a> and your environment. Hawkins says this is possible because your brain is like a biological computer: It takes in data through your senses, then processes that data with electrical and chemical signals, resulting in what you perceive as thoughts and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins also says that your mind has access to a universal consciousness<\/a> shared by all people<\/strong>\u2014the universe\u2019s internet, to extend the computer metaphor. The idea of a communal pool of human knowledge is not a new one. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung called it the \u201ccollective unconscious\u201d: a collection of facts and beliefs that all humans share, seemingly without ever learning them. Religions have called it God, and they seek to access its knowledge either by understanding God\u2019s will (a common theme in Christianity, for example) or by uniting with God directly (as in Hinduism).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever term you prefer, Hawkins says your connection to the universal consciousness allows you to instantly know whether something is true or false,<\/strong> so long as you can receive and understand the universal consciousness\u2019s signals. In other words, it\u2019s the ultimate source of truth, and with a strong enough connection to it, you become effectively omniscient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since consciousness means both \u201cawareness\u201d and \u201cunderstanding,\u201d it logically follows that consciousness exists on a spectrum from no consciousness (having no awareness or understanding) to omniscience: total awareness and perfect knowledge of everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins developed a scale\u2014what he calls the consciousness map<\/em>\u2014that measures the strength of your connection to the universal source of truth. According to Hawkins, the numbers indicate the energetic frequency of your consciousness (in other words, your consciousness level), with higher frequencies indicating more awareness and understanding than lower ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The consciousness scale includes information about key beliefs, emotions, and actions that define the various levels of consciousness.<\/strong> The lowest rating on the consciousness scale is level 20 to 30, which Hawkins labels as shame<\/em>. Someone at this consciousness level feels that God is hateful, is constantly embarrassed about themselves and their life, and might even experience suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higher levels of consciousness, particularly those above 300 on Hawkins\u2019s scale, are defined by positive emotions such as compassion, calmness, and happiness. People at this level think of God as kind and caring, and they view their lives as enjoyable and fulfilling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll explore this consciousness scale and its implications in greater detail in the next section. For now, Hawkins\u2019s crucial point is that you need a consciousness level of at least 200 (what we\u2019ll call \u201cbravery\u201d) to interpret the universe\u2019s signals.<\/strong> Bravery is the point at which you\u2019re able to admit when you\u2019re wrong<\/a> and learn new things; without bravery, you\u2019ll block out the universe\u2019s signals if they contradict what you already believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your awareness\u2014in other words, your consciousness\u2014reaches a high enough level to connect to the universal consciousness, Hawkins <\/em>explains that you can instantly tell whether something is true or false by using simple, scientifically proven tests. The same tests will also indicate whether something is good or bad for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins spent decades studying kinesiology, which is the science of how the human body moves. Through his studies, he found that the body and mind are intrinsically linked. Therefore, if your mental connection to the universal consciousness is strong enough (meaning 200 or higher), you can use basic physical tests to interpret the truth signals you\u2019re receiving. <\/strong>Hawkins calls this applied kinesiology<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins describes several different kinesiology tests, but the common theme is that your muscles become weaker when you\u2019re exposed to something that\u2019s untrue, unhealthy, or undesirable. Crucially, this isn\u2019t testing whether you think<\/em> the statement is true; it tests whether the statement is objectively <\/em>true, <\/strong>which is possible because of your connection to the universal consciousness. The same holds true for testing whether something is good or bad for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, we\u2019ll look more closely at why he believed low levels of consciousness are harmful to you and to the world\u2014and, conversely, why high levels of consciousness lead to happiness for you and those around you. We\u2019ll also explain why Hawkins titled this book Power vs. Force<\/em>, and we\u2019ll describe the key differences between those two things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins says that 200 (bravery) is the point on the scale where you contribute at least as much as you take from society. The higher on the scale you go, the more of a net positive you become for the world. At higher levels of consciousness, you understand that the purpose of society is to help everyone live the best life possible and that contributing your resources and abilities to the common good will also improve your life. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n People below 200 on the consciousness scale don\u2019t understand this. They\u2019re self-absorbed, so they take whatever they can from others without reciprocating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lower end of the consciousness scale (below 200) represents what Hawkins calls force<\/em>: aggressive, harmful, and egotistical states of consciousness. We\u2019ll refer to this as coercion<\/em> to emphasize that these states are undesirable and hurtful. When you rely on coercion, you try to get what you want by bullying or manipulating others<\/strong>\u2014in other words, you work against people rather than cooperating with them. If you usually resort to coercion, you probably view life as a competition or a battle;<\/strong> you think in terms of \u201cwinners\u201d and \u201closers\u201d and believe that you can only get what you want by taking it from someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins says that coercion might lead to short-term satisfaction, but never to true happiness<\/a>. <\/strong>At this low level of consciousness, you\u2019re unreceptive to the truth\u2014you can\u2019t determine what you really want out of life or how to get it. Hawkins does acknowledge that coercion is sometimes necessary. However, coercion should be used sparingly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A level of 200 and above on the consciousness scale is associated with what Hawkins calls <\/strong>power:<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>cooperative, loving, and understanding states of consciousness. For clarity, we\u2019ll refer to this state as energy<\/em>, to signify that it\u2019s productive in and of itself\u2014as opposed to coercion, which is only useful when used against something else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hawkins says that you reach this level of consciousness when your actions, goals, and morals are all aligned with one another. In other words, everything you do gets you closer to one of your goals; and those goals are based on your values, meaning that reaching them will make you happier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re in an energetic state of over 200 on the consciousness scale, you work together with others to achieve the best possible outcomes for both yourself and everyone else. First, you\u2019re receptive to the universe\u2019s truth signals, meaning that you can understand how to live a life that will make you truly happy. Second, you give more than you take\u2014in other words, you improve the world<\/a> around you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The energy scale starts at bravery, the transitional state between coercion and energy that we previously discussed. However, according to Hawkins, bravery only has a consciousness level of 200\u2014the highest state of consciousness is <\/strong>enlightenment<\/em><\/strong>, which begins at a consciousness level of 700 and ends at 1,000<\/strong> (the highest possible rating). <\/p>\n\n\n\nPower vs. Force<\/em> by David Hawkins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is Consciousness?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Measuring Human Consciousness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Consciousness Scale<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Calibrating Truth With Kinesiology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Energy and Coercion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Critical Point of 200<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Coercion Scale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Energy Scale<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Enlightenment: The Highest Form of Consciousness<\/h5>\n\n\n\n