The Adventures of Love 'n Shove

The Adventures of Love ‘n Shove

November 6th, 2008

Walk softly and carry a big stick.
–West African Proverb

Coming to a general understanding of how one’s energetic system functions is the first step toward working with it effectively. On that note, allow me to introduce you to your two best friends and most reliable support system on the path to fulfilling your highest potential, as the wise and benevolent ruler of your experience. You may know them as your heart and solar plexus chakras, or energy centers. I call ‘em “Love ‘n Shove.”

Love

In my estimation, the heart chakra may well be the most talked about, romanticized, and least understood part of the human energy body. I will be elaborating a lot more on what it is, and what it does, in my follow-up to the What Is Love reader-participation exercise. While we’re waiting for enough feedback to make for an engaging compilation (HINT HINT! :P), I will say that this is where you’ll find the means to smooth out any passive resistance on your path. At its best your heart chakra reaches out and forms connections that are mutually beneficial for both parties. The cool thing is that simply connecting in this way is a benefit for both parties in itself — it strengthens your heart chakra, makes you feel good and gives others who are receptive to it a shot of positive, loving energy. The “stuff” of the heart chakra is in such high demand that it acts as the force that puts the right people in the right places at the right times, exactly as you need it to be. This is the invisible foundation of your visible earthly support network, and where the “magic” of things like positive synchronicities happens.

Where the heart chakra often runs into trouble, is due to the fact that its only natural defense is passive. Which is to say that some people (and entities) will be of such an orientation that they find its energy distasteful. There has been a tendency in New-Age circles to view love energy as the only necessary defense against active negative interference, but unfortunately this doesn’t always work in reality.

Imagine you’ve got a plate of food in front of you that isn’t your favorite. Whether you go ahead and eat it anyway will depend on a number of factors, such as availability of alternate options, how hungry you are and otherwise whether you have a good enough reason to disregard the taste. Similarly, the heart chakra’s energy does have the effect of repelling some things that aren’t compatible with it — but if the source of interference is determined, and sees a way in, or if one habitually allows their good will to be taken advantage of — then your path will present obstacles that waltz straight over your passive defense.

Anyone who has lived on planet earth for a while will know the feeling of a wounded heart chakra, which could come about via misunderstanding, rejection, betrayal or even deliberate maliciousness. The most common mistake at this point is to try and defend the heart using the mind. After a painful experience, people have a tendency to shut the heart down, and take on negative beliefs about themselves and others. These beliefs are like mercenaries, hired to build a fortress — they’ll do what you tell ‘em and take your focus and energy as payment, but they care little about the condition of the heart itself. The heart thus ends up inaccessible to you or anyone else, unable to form its connections, and eventually shuts down. A stone fortress is a good description of the literal energetic construct many people build around the heart chakra; I know this because I’ve found and demolished mine directly. Not knowing that this is what’s really happening, but still valuing the concept of love — one then may try to substitute other things in its place: money, sex, control, approval and so on… meanwhile wondering why they continue to feel so isolated. Obviously, these things are no real substitute. What the heart chakra needs is a separate security system that lets it do its work freely, yet selectively allows some influences to pass through and engage with it directly, and keeps others out — by force if necessary. Such a security force is readily available, willing and more than capable of doing its job. Which brings us to…

Shove

Say hi to your solar plexus chakra. (Altogether now: “hiiii Shoooove!”) Whereas the heart “walks softly” — the solar plexus is where you’ll find your proverbial big stick. (I said stick! STICK!!) Ahem.

The SP is your center of personal power and will; at its best, it is where healthy boundaries are created — and enforced. When the energy here is integrated in itself, and balanced with the heart chakra, you’re much more likely to know what “healthy boundaries” are for you, and how much force is necessary to keep them from being crossed in a given situation. The great thing about working at the energetic level is that ideally you won’t often need to enforce those boundaries directly — your solar plexus chakra and the boundaries you’ve tasked it with will do that for you. This happens at a subconscious level that is picked up on by anyone you encounter (and even those you haven’t yet!). Ideally, solar plexus energy acts as a deterrent much like carrying a visible weapon — you could use it if you had to, but just having it visible makes it a lot less likely that you’d need to. The solar plexus is also a processor of sorts, where raw bio-energy is converted into things like motivation, direct action and effort. It is the “oomph” that works to convert one’s desire to create their environment in their own image, into physical reality.

Those who have a longstanding habit of either using too much or too little force in their daily interactions will still need to find their own balance through practice and personal experience. If you have been conditioned to believe that all use of force is “sinful”, you’ll need to challenge those beliefs before being able to take personal responsibility for creating your personal reality. Think happy thoughts, make plans and move to carry them out by all means — but know that it’s your solar plexus chakra that contains the driving force which largely determines whether you’re an effective creator, a leaf blown around by every passing breeze, or somewhere in between.

Putting It All Together

When the heart and solar plexus chakras are functioning together and working in balance, they form a unit very reminiscent of the yin yang symbol shown above. The correctly functioning solar plexus is the security system the heart needs to form its connections, boldly and freely. When the heart reaches out, the SP keeps an eye on things, and sends out a warning when it senses an unacceptable amount of risk. When boundaries are crossed and our good will is taken advantage of, the solar plexus steps in to see that the offense is resolved and not repeated, so that the heart is not wounded beyond its ability to remain healthy and open.

In turn, a properly functioning heart chakra is equally important to ensure that the solar plexus chakra performs its functions in the most beneficial way possible. The energy of the solar plexus is pure force — which, by itself, runs the serious risk of being misdirected. Willpower alone only encounters increasing resistance, and results in frustration and isolation. When informed by the heart chakra’s energy, the solar plexus’ drive to press onward is one of passion and inspiration. It naturally directs you toward your most fulfilling possible path, resistance is minimized and the effort required feels effortless — and fun!

The next post will begin to explore how I’ve been working with my heart chakra to dramatically improve my daily experience. For those who are interested in exploring their own chakras and energy system, I highly recommend Robert Bruce’s New Energy Ways. This is the foundation of my own energy work, for being both extremely effective and easy to use. NEW can be found online, as well as elaborated on in the following two books.

New Energy Ways (Online tutorial)
Energy Work: The Secret of Healing and Spiritual Development
(aff.)
Astral Dynamics: A New Approach to Out-of-Body Experiences
(aff.)

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