Conscious Choice: The Answer is as Easy as Asking

March 2004

The Answer is as Easy as Asking

David Hawkins leads us to finding our Divine truth

by Darlene E. Paris

In addition to being a writer, I’m also a Reiki Master — that is, a healer who deals with the body’s subtle energy fields. I try to stay abreast of the latest research and trends in energy work but when fellow Reiki Master, Chicagoan Diane Stallard, asked if I had ever heard about the work of David Hawkins, M.D., I was absolutely stumped. "He’s awesome," Stallard exclaimed. "This man has come up with a way of understanding what’s true from false."

I didn’t understand why this discovery was particularly important. As a grade school teacher (yes, that too!), I’m often challenged by students who test my skill for determining whether they’re telling the truth or lying. Gazing unblinkingly into their eyes until they flinch is my way of determining truth from falsehood. Hawkins’ work, however, is much more scientific...and a lot deeper.

Dr. Hawkins has come up with what he espouses as a foolproof way of determining Universal truths such as "is there really a God?" to not-so-significant realities like "OK, did Johnny really do his homework?" Hawkins, who is the director of the Institute for Advanced Spiritual Research based in Sedona, Arizona, uses kinesiology, the study of the movement of the muscles, to help people figure out truth from falsehood.

Kinesiology or "applied kinesiology," as some say, is used to make a diagnosis. "It’s the generic response of the acupuncture energy system," according to Hawkins in an explanation that’s typically academic. "The response is independent of the opinions, thoughts and belief systems of the test subject or tester." In other words, the answer is always available to you — you just have to know how to summon it. And one of the tools Hawkins uses to do this is kinesiology.

Kinesiology is a blend of Western alternative approaches and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For instance, TCM teaches that there are invisible channels of energy flowing throughout our bodies called Chi. Chi energy fuels every system in our body including our organs, muscles and brain. The source of this invisible flow of energy is none other than the Universe, God, Higher Power or however you envision this energy. It’s not only omnipotent, but it’s also all-knowing — and the only thing it knows is the truth. This is the basis from which Hawkins works. If we can get in touch with this energy, we can get in touch with the truth. Hawkins believes one approach to doing it is through kinesiology.

It takes two people in order to perform kinesiology. One person holds her arm parallel to the floor while the other person presses down on the wrist of her extended arm and says, "Resist." This approach is not well-known among Americans as, essentially, conventional medicine generally doesn’t view it as scientific. Yet many alternative practitioners use it to make all kinds of diagnoses, from health conditions to whether a supplement or drug is agreeable to the body.

Hawkins points out that it’s used widely in Asia. "In some countries, like Korea, kinesiology is used all the time," he says. "For instance, in a grocery store, a woman might hold an orange in her left hand and extend her right arm while her husband presses down on her right wrist. If her right arm is strong and she’s able to resist, they’ll buy the orange, but if her arm goes weak, they won’t buy it."

Western Guru, Enlightened Master

Internationally-known for helping the "average Joe" understand the intricacies of the human mind, Dr. Hawkins, a medical doctor who has worked in the area of psychiatry for 50 years, says you can test anything with kinesiology. "We can identify the level of truth of any statement, belief system or body of knowledge."

In my quest for a deeper understanding of the man and his work, I called Rob Steeno, facilitator of a study group that meets monthly to discuss books written by Dr. Hawkins. Steeno, who works at a Chicago bookstore, organized the group after reading Power vs. Force, The Eye of the I and I: Reality and Subjectivity, a compilation of Dr. Hawkins’ research of consciousness and spirituality.

Steeno considers Dr. Hawkins, 77, a Western guru of sorts, an enlightened master whose teachings have the power to transform the world. "The energy of this man is so powerful, so magnetic that when he visited Chicago last year, I was sitting in the room with him. He hadn’t said a word, but his energy was so peaceful, so magnetic that I didn’t want to leave."

Steeno believes that Hawkins’ teachings will help bring about world peace. "We can go into peace talks knowing what we’re up against. We can determine the intention and hidden motives of others, and know what to do to protect future generations."

I thought that Steeno’s belief in the work was overly optimistic. "Just because we know the truth, doesn’t mean we’ll do what’s right," I said. Steeno agreed. Then he told me about another dimension of Hawkins’ work that might help us make better choices.

People tend to focus on the kinesiology, according to Steeno. But kinesiology is a tool that, basically, helps the seeker to get in touch with the truth, which is the broader message of the man’s work. Hawkins’ real reason for providing tools like kinesiology is to change people’s consciousness by making them more aware of their oneness with all living things including the Divine.

"This work is earth-changing," Steeno says. "It’s not like the latest craze. It’s not the Atkins or South Beach Diet. It’s not a fad that’ll come and go. We’re talking about the betterment of human existence on this planet through people raising their consciousness."

Hawkins, whose spiritual transformation happened when he was just 38, says that we have all the power within us to reach enlightenment. Our stumbling block, however, is skepticism. "In spiritual work, you have to give up the secret, prideful satisfaction of being right. Rightness doesn’t matter except to the ego," Hawkins says.

After trying the kinesiology exercise on a few friends, I realized that my skepticism concerning Hawkins’ work was beginning to dissolve. I’m now trying to figure out a tactful way to ask my students, who claim they’ve done their homework but left it at home, to raise their right arm parallel to the floor and resist. It’s a start.

Darlene E. Paris is a Chicago-based writer who specializes in matters of spirituality.

Get More Info:

Transitions Bookplace (312-951-READ) is offering exposure to Dr. David Hawkins’ work. Among the events:

Day-long workshop with Hawkins, Saturday, April 10, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Contemplating the Eye, a study group based upon the works of Dr. David Hawkins. Second and fourth Sundays, 2:00 pm.

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