Being spiritually oriented, I used to have a problem with the whole idea of will power. It felt like muscling through something rather than gracefully moving toward a goal. Now that I understand the energy centers in the body, I know what it means to have will power and why it's so important.The energy center of will is located in your solar plexus, which is around your abdomen. The chakra below that is the creative/procreative energy center, which is driven by desire. The creative center is impulsive - like a wild animal. It wants to experience pleasure of all kind and RIGHT NOW. Because we live in an immediate gratification society, many of us give in to our desires at the expense of our overall well being. For example, having the goal to save money, but then stumbling upon a great pair of shoes that you can't live without. Or, wanting to lose weight only to give into the temptation as you walk by a plate of pastries at work.
Your will is strengthened each time you don't give in to the impulsive, self-defeating desires of your second chakra. Every time you say "No" to the untamed animal in side you, the energy in your body is able to rise up toward your abdomen where it accumulates and becomes power. Hence the term, will power.
Giving in to the impulses of your pleasure center (sacral chakra), causes the energy that's meant to fill you up from the inside and nourish you, to prematurely release in favor of immediate gratification. So the insane game goes like this: Energy rises within your body to fill you up prior to extending into the world as your light, but the thrill of some impulsive behavior tricks you into thinking you'll get immediate energy if you go for it. Giving into whatever impulse is in front of you releases the energy that's meant to fill you up, before it even makes it to your solar plexus. You may get a short thrill from feeding the impulse monster, but you lose vital energy which leaves you more powerless to make the right choice next time.
Expect the first couple of times you say no to your impulsive self to be difficult. The knowledge of how it all works does not take away cravings. Success does however, and it doesn't take much success to fill you with the power you need to make good choices effortlessly. One final piece of inspiration: Once enough energy collects in your solar plexus it can begin to rise up to your heart, which is when the real fun begins!
posted by The Energy Coach at 2:38 PM
11 Comments:
I've never heard it explained this way--makes perfect sense! I think the tricky thing about reconciling will power with the spiritual path is that it can take awhile for people to detach from unhealthy will power to authentic will power like you describe here. For people who have negatively used will power as a means to control or restrict themselves in some way for years, it can be quite a process to shift that attitude. It does happen eventually though :)
Good point Melissa. My feeling is that the overly restrictive or negative kind of will power is a form of self-rejection, while authentic will power - doing what you know is best for your overall well being - is the highest form of Self-acceptance.
Hugs,
K.
Interesting perspective Kim..thank you for sharing it.
I am experimenting with the proper use of the will myself and firmly believe that joy and abundant energy is available if I align my will with my Higher Self. The proof is in the effort and you are right, I also find the more consistant I am the more energy I have and the happier I feel!
much love
g
G - I think you nailed the secret and that is making choices that are in alignment with your higher self - the self trying to ascend. I'm also wondering about the relationship between core strength and will-power. Any thoughts?
Big hug,
K.
do you mean actual physical core strength? Hmmm...let me think on that one :)My initial thoughts are that core health is more important than core strength... but health to me would mean healthy energetically and physically so ...yes! If by strength you mean strong (healthy) muscle!? ...xo
g
after thought...an energetically clear root and base chakra (all chakras for that matter) would seem to me to be more important than muscle strength in my core. It seems if the energy is clear in the body that would mean emotional health which would bring about healthy tissue and body....
-that's my take. ;)
Much love
Thank you G. That feels right to me. I do also wonder whether a strong core in terms of muscle strength correlates with having a strong will, self-care, boundaries, etc. I think this would be a very cool area to do some research, and you being a body worker probably already note these kinds of correlations!!
xo to you:)
K.
Ya, I see what your saying. When I think of super strong core muscles I think of protection in that area... guarding almost...to soft in that area may be too open... So a strong but pliable core would be balanced?? interesting topic Kim :) thanks!!
love
g
I love that! Thanks for going down this "long and windy" road with me G!
L, K
Will power, or self control, spans three levels. Each can be exponentially more difficult than that other, depending on the person. The first is will power not to do the things you know you should not be doing. Don’t eat this; don’t drink that; don’t buy those. The second level is the will power to do the things you know you should be doing. Get to the gym; finish this report; put that money in the bank. The third level is self control over negative emotions. This is usually the most difficult, because when fear, worry, anger or anxiety surface, it becomes all consuming. But there are methods to suppress such feelings… one proven technique is to still the body, close your eyes and think of “nothing” until the negative emotion dissipates.
When you’ve mastered all three levels of self control, a feeling so wonderful and strong persists inside. The feeling provides an incomparable joy, much greater than that Twinkie or new pair of shoes could ever temporarily disguise as. The feeling is not at all fleeting, but strong, whole and permanent. And fuels you with an unparalleled power.
If you take the time to study the great leaders of history, they all posses a common trait… the ability for self control. Whether innate or learned, the ability to control one’s self is the hallmark of success. And once you gain control over yourself… everything else is easy :)
Vincent, First I'd like to say thanks for visiting my blog and sharing your insights! I'm very inspired with what you have to say - so much so that I plan to quote you in my next post:)I hope you visit again soon!
Blessings,
Kim
Post a Comment
<< Home