Hara

Posted by Nev Sagiba on May 6th, 2006

Perhaps there is more to HARA than "Oriental superstition.”

Did you know? There are almost as many neurons firing in the gut region as the brain?

I would venture a guess that they are not there just waiting for the next bus, but serve a
vital purpose. Deemed to be “controversial” cutting edge research, also suggests that
peptide cocktails formed in the gut region are responsible for moods and contribute to
the chemistry involved in effector/receptor functions and immediate physical responses.

Really? I thought they were just hanging about ‘cos they had nothing better to do.
Controversial? Why? Because they don’t fit in a conceptual box made by some
sedentary theorist in a lab coat? Guesswork and rigidly calcified preconceived notions
do not win survival situations, contribute to discovery, evolution or achieve any
constructive value! Facts do.

Predictable strategic flexibility that can be tested and based on observation and
experience over aeons may have some merit after all. Combat, as with so-called
meditation, indeed all skills, are sciences as much as they are arts. What works, works
because it does. Not because of an opinion. After testing and trialing and the R&D of
many centuries, certain predispositions emerge as indisputable, despite the theories and
ideas of myopic pseudo-intellectuals.

Perhaps there is more to HARA than "Oriental superstition" after all.

The HARA, a point of reference in the body which can be used as the seat of “mind-
flow,” may be more than just an anchor for the mind or a point of focus in the present
time moment for engaging in physical activity. Indeed, it does come into play when the
physical body is in action mode interacting with the varied aspects of gravity. But it may
also contribute to the processes which enable life, mobility, sentience and consciousness
as well.

The focal point of HARA is said to be situated at what was thought to be an

undetermined point midway between the navel and the top of the pubis (pubic bone), in
the centre of the body but can encompass the whole solar-plexus region. This was
largely considered hypothetical, notwithstanding the fact that skeletal charts denote the
region where the centerline intersects at a point parallel to the Lumbar Vertebrae 4 and
5, as being “the centre of balance for the human body.” (I suspect that there is an inner
ear, balance factor or some form of mental or internal biofeedback or meridian
connection as well, but this remains to be further researched.)

The solar plexus region, among other things, also incorporates a rather unique network
of nerves including the celiac plexus which is an organised infrastructure of nerve
ganglia arranged to function as a centre of influence, energy storage, distribution and
activity of bioelectricity as it interacts with biomagnetism through fluids and lymphatics
to produce the feeding of signals throughout the body in conjunction with the adrenals,
kidneys and other glandular secretions, interactions and mechanisms relevant to instant
reactions, survival and life.

Natural people are very good at noticing the obvious. I think we call it “insight,” and
then we talk a lot, label everything in sight and get lost in a clutter our minds make with
often unnecessary and irrelevant complexity, much of it invented by the irrationality of
“rationalization,” such as nature does not care about. I too often hear men in ill fitting
suits attempt to smother valid debate using inane catch-phrases such as: “complex,” “no
evidence” (based on a strictured definition of the word evidence) or “anecdotal” and
other gobbledigoop to obfuscate valid discussion and smother research. This egotistical
attitude adds nothing of value. In principle, perhaps things are not as complex as some
would like to manufacture, or lack the mental capability to grasp. Details and side
effects can always be analysed later. And, “no evidence” equals exactly that, nothing to
crow about. Nature deals in existing factualities, not ideas. The sun “rises” and “sets”
DESPITE OUR OPINIONS. As do all the other processes which hold the universe
together. Nature can manage quite well without “experts.” My suggestion is get rid of
that tie. It has been proven to restrict blood flow to the brain.

Why did ancient oriental warriors and monks (with comfortably loose clothing, good
circulation and lucid thinking) choose this region of the body as a centre of mental focus
for meditation? I do not think they arbitrarily invented it because they were bored on a
Sunday. It would be self evident to make a reasonable assumption that THEY
NOTICED SOMETHING OF VALUE.

If you’ve been a competitive athlete you will have noticed the pre-event tension, jitters,
nerves and so called “adrenal rush” as well as the post-event release, highs etc., all
evince a "gut response" and this is no different in public speaking, acting or other
required or chosen social tasks which test us and put demands on us, such as exams, etc.
not to mention a real assault.

We interpret this as “pressure” or “stress” but it is a natural function. Pointedly, all such
challenges stimulate this mechanism automatically and involuntarily via the
sympathetic nervous system and triggers muscles, glands etc. especially those
connecting the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral regions of the spinal chord also
including those of the brain, in particular the limbic system and brainstem as it concerns
the basic emotions i.e. survival fight/flight etc.

In Aikido training, we consciously and positively activate this dynamic in simple ways
that not only effect a positive response but also puts you in charge, clearly and
perceptively instead of stressed, as you learn to become more calm and centered despite
external influences. For example, we free up the breath (most people hold their breath
when “under stress”) and sometimes also through the use of imaging we may picture the
arms and legs beginning at the hara as we move mind and body united and coordinated
in harmonious interrelationship with energetic flows and dynamics.

Since mind and body are inseparable in the true sense, such visualisation may help
activate the natural, pre-existing processes. Almost immediately a difference is noticed
in the way we move and feel. Hara immediately integrates breath and balance at each
moment in a functionally integrated way related to survival. The mind, body and
emotions function in symphony as on under the direction of the superconscious mind
active in accordance to the need of the moment when you need to act spontaneously.
This immediacy expresses faster than the thought processes and is usually above and
beyond the conceptual, analytical intellect.

Therefore, in the midst of action, you do not need to try to consciously catalogue and
remember each and every attribute. Rather, as the much criticised by the unqualified;
Tohei Sensei coined the phrase.... “KEEP ONE POINT,”... which means to ‘remind’ the
one point or hara by momentarily focussing on it, relaxing and getting "connected."
“WEIGHT UNDERSIDE, EXTEND KI...” etc. And then perhaps we better notice other
necessary attributes such as zanshin or maai or just staying present with what is, using
the mind as a mirror. The rest will follow naturally, timelessly and immediately to your
advantage as it instantly computes and causes you to act appropriately for that time and
circumstance in accordance to the harmony of the universe, as it is, in that split
millisecond.

Each centre of function has its respective purposes and functions. The head centre is
more suited for calculation, computing, cataloguing and conceptualising and as we have
evolved it is rather well developed, albeit not too well balanced through the rigidifying
attrition of the school system. Although I hear they are now starting to treat kids as
human beings instead of machines. If that’s the case, it is a good thing. About time. The
heart centre is, among other things, the balancer between thought and action, the source
of harmony and responsibility and that essence which reconciles opposites. For the main
part, all our internal centres are beyond our conscious manipulation. Yet by becoming
more conscious of them and their function through exercises designed to unfold and
awaken our awareness of ourselves, we become more alive, happy, balanced and
functionally dynamic. The three main centres always act in synchronicity and concert
during each moment of life. Depending on circumstance one will predominate or take
the dominant role and the others assist. E.g. Whilst sitting studying, reading etc. the
head centre will predominate. Whilst physically active in sport, work, self defence,
combat, emergency etc. the hara will predominate especially if skill is required or there
is urgency or danger. If we are still here in the next million years, the heart centre on
this planet will eventually dominate all our activities but is now prevalent in more
humane and compassionate persons yet momentarily comes alive even for wild animals
during moments of warmth, intimacy, closeness and sharing with those which are
deemed close, such as the pack, herd, tribe or family.

Breathing, balance, relaxing and a conscious awareness of HARA are vital. I have a
feeling that the "juices" our bodies make, those which naturally make us high, low,
happy, sad and all betwixt, which enable consciousness, feeling, action, sleep, thought,
instant responses and so much more, are akin to a complex vibratory (Kotadama)
mechanism (comprising the Hito Jinja), a veritable receiving and transmitting
instrument for the whole universe and the endless dimensions it contains.

By discovering yourself and vivifying all your attributes through regular personally
motivated discipline, you reclaim yourself. RECLAIMING YOURSELF EMPOWERS
YOU and immunises you from external manipulation.

On this basis we can all say, “I am the universe!” But more so when we ongoingly and
properly care for the awakening of our united body-mind, clarifying and distilling the
value of our existence through the misogi and shugyo of regularly training on a Way or
Do.

[ Add Comment ]

Posted by Brian Kagen on May 6th, 2006 1:31pm

More here.

http://www.soton.ac.uk/~maa1/chi/philos/hara.htm

Posted by Nev on May 7th, 2006 6:38am

Notice how the Rikishi (Sumotori) slap their HARA just prior to a bout? Try it
sometime. Interesting. I mean don’t just pretend, it’s got to hurt a little. That’s not just
“keeping one point”, it’s rebooting the whole system! It may not help concentration
when reading a book (there are other chi exercises for that) but it sure helps kick-start
prep for combat.

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