Power Vs Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior by David Hawkins

Power Vs. Force is a phenomenal work by David Hawkins that centers around two ideas: kinesiology and the levels of consciousness.

Dr. Hawkins' team developed some extensive theories relating to kinesiology. The premise behind this idea is that there exists a realm which holds within it everything human beings have ever learned. This is similar to Jung's collective unconscious. By using a technique called muscle testing one is able to access this hidden realm and determine the truth or falsehood of any statement.

The actual technique is fairly simple. It requires two people: a test subject, and someone to perform the technique. The subject simply holds their arm out to the side. The questioner will then make a statement. After this, they will press down on the arm of the subject. If the subject stays "strong," or doesn't move, then the statement is true. If the subject goes weak, and their arm falls to the ground, then the statement is false.

Out of this testing method Dr. Hawkins' team arrived at a road map of sorts for human consciousness. This scale is based on extensive testing and ranges from 0 to 1000. 0 is similar to a suicidal depression. Lack of drive, emotion, and desire for life are common around this level. 1000 represents supreme, ineffable enlightenment, similar to that of Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna. In between is the entire range of human emotion, including fear, anger, courage, love, and peace.

These levels of consciousness refer to certain "attractor fields" that behavior associated with each level originates from. The idea is that an angry person is actually aligned with a hidden attractor field consisting of the energy of anger. That persons actions will all be affected from basic motives and energy forms inherent in that field. The same is true for all emotions.

By comparing yourself to the scale you can get a good idea of where you are in your personal development work and what energy field you're aligned with. This is of paramount importance in deciding where your growth should take you next. It's also interesting to track your unique progression throughout your lifetime.