Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior

WORST BOOK I'VE EVER READ

Someone once said, 'Don't argue with an idiot. People watching might not be able to tell the difference.' I'm sure the same applies to raving lunatics like Dr. Hawkins and his devotees. The problem with criticizing this book, or any doctrine on the paranormal, is that it's completely ad- hoc. That is, if it doesn't work, it's because there's something wrong with you. Most advocates of the paranormal retort with 'you have to believe' or 'you have bad energy.' But Dr. Hawkins is more sophisticated. His 'science' combines distortions of chaos theory with an arbirary and mathematically flawed scale for measuring consciousness to explain why you can't replicate his testing -- you calibrate below 200 on the scale of consciousness. Cute, huh? By the way, good luck finding even one published article substantiating any of his claims. What kills me is that he knows the vast majority of his readers have no knowledge of advanced mathematics, physics, or scientific methods in general. Ironically, he doesn't seem to have a strong grasp of these things either. Like his logarithmic scale of consciousness -- it's actually exponential. Consequently, you'll see ridiculous numbers like 10^300. That's a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion... you get the idea. His application of the scale is just as outrageous. In his applied kinesiology -- not to be confused with the real science of kinesiology -- you ascertain absolute truth via muscle testing. Well, what are we waiting for? Hold out your arm and we'll solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict once and for all! Remove the whole applied kinesiology hoax and you're left with rambling and sometimes insulting prose on common-sense. Compassion defeats resentment. Sure, no problem. This book calibrates higher than Albert Einstein himself!!!??? Oh, but wait. Einstein was just a scientist. Dr. Hawkins reveals eternal and absolute truth, right?

4 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

Discovery of a lifetime

Dr. Hawkins introduces a tremendous opportunity in learning to assess the truth of anything, and he clearly explains the simple technique and why it works. One of the greatest gifts of learning Dr. Hawkins¿ discovery in evaluating truth is in instantly determining the authenticity and integrity of spiritual teachings, as well as spiritual teachers and their own levels of integrity. The correct application of Dr. Hawkins¿ `consciousness research¿ technique provides the reader with an impeccable method of separating the fallacious teachers (regardless of their appeal, glamorization or even ¿celebrity status¿) from those that truly provide spiritual guidance with the utmost integrity, love and compassion. Furthermore, readers actually seeking truth realize an expanded level of consciousness and a significant leap in spiritual development, as well as a greater psychological understanding of ordinary yet often confusing human behavior. However, readers that are immersed in self-centeredness, trapped within the confines of their own egos, are severely irritated and can be prone to elaborate ranting upon reading the book. It is not for everyone, as not everyone is earnestly seeking truth. The spiritual devotee awakens upon reading Power vs. Force. This book was the cornerstone of my own spiritual awakening and development.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Measuring & Raising Energy Levels of Human Consciousness

You exist in a field of energy that is inextricably intertwined with everyone and everything else. Your energy field can serve to uplift those around you, or it can have the opposite effect and tend to weaken those you encounter. Since most people are unaware of these energy fields and their significance in bringing about miraculous changes in the world, they do not realize how they can measurably raise their consciousness, and see the world more clearly as it truly is. POWER VS FORCE helps to solve the problems of confusion and negative patterns of behavior by presenting a crystal-clear model of consciousness along with a useful tool for measuring the energy levels of fields of consciousness around us. Hawkins describes how we can measure the frequencies of the fields surrounding people, ideas, and things with Kinesiology, sometimes referred to as "muscle testing." When we ask questions about things that we consciously do not know the answers to, we can find out the truth that is known to the collective unconscious. As author David Hawkins explains, "Everything in the universe constantly gives off an energy pattern of a specific frequency that remains for all time and can be read by those who know how. Every word, deed, and intention creates a permanent record. Every thought is known and recorded forever. There are no secrets; nothing is hidden, nor can it be." The main idea in POWER VS FORCE is that when you raise the level of energy of your field, you will experience more joy and peace in your life, which in turn will help to improve the quality of life for everyone. You can learn to use Kinesiology to determine truth from falsehood, and to improve your life in every meaningful way. After years of study, Hawkins used Kinesiology to make millions of calibrations of human consciousness that follow a logarithmic progression from zero to 1,000. The title of Hawkins' book comes from the energy field where force finally yields itself to power, at 200, which also happens to be the most typical energy level currently found in most societies on Earth. What I love most about POWER VS FORCE is the feeling I get as I read it that "Here is a book that speaks the truth." From the very beginning, in which Hawkins describes his own spiritual experiences with miraculous healings and synchronicities, all the way to the final chapter, POWER VS FORCE presents a view of reality which consistently describes the way our consciousness effects the physical world. I give this book my very highest recommendation!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Work!

Hawkins work is truly pioneering and incredibly interesting. When learning about the map of consciousness, any individual who has experienced personal growth can quickly understand their journey. Furthermore, the reader can understand their history with more clarity and their future with more guidance and optimism. This is the first of four incredible books, and I've read each one at least twice. All deserve the highest praise. Also, it's worth mentioning, that if you enjoy this work, you might also enjoy The Lucifer Principle by Howard Bloom. Thanks Dr. Hawkins for this book, it's a contribution to the world. jm

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The best book I've ever read

If you're intent on exploring spirituality; Power vs. Force is an intense and practical introduction. David Hawkins is a psychiatrist by training, what he teaches has great value as a business tool, as acknowledged by Lee Iacocca and Sam Walton, but also is true spirituality without sugar coating needed for mass market appeal. Mother Teresa reviewed it very favorably and Wayne Dyer said it is the most important book he's read in 10 years. Undoubtedly the most important book I've EVER read. Power vs. Force is about discovering the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, by tapping into the collective consciousness through muscle testing. On a scale of consciousness between 1-1000, mapped out by muscle testing over 28 years, Truth, Integrity and Power begin at 200, and although the average for all humanity is now 207, only 15% are above that critical 200 level and counter-balance the rest. Power is the power of Gandhi to liberate India without blood-shed; Force is personified by Stalin. A single person like Mother Teresa, or Gandhi, who calibrated in the 700's counter-balances the negativity of 7 million. Reading the book will raise your own consciousness 35 points, the equivalent of 7 lifetimes. The greatest contribution we can make to humanity is to raise our own level of awareness, which in turn improves life for everyone on the Planet.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Amazing work

I will start by saying that if you are searching for absolute truth you will not find it in anything that is written down. This book has changed my life for the better. I recommend you experience it for yourself. The calibration numbers are not a 'foundation of judgment' of anything external or internal for that matter. If you read the book carefully you will see that Dr. Hawkings says the same thing. I think everyone has experienced the lower levels that he writes about. Hopefully it is ones goal to experience the higher levels of consciousness that are able to be obtained by anyone that has the will. If you are angry at Dr Hawkings that is great because you are one step away from something constructive. If you see a void in the way something is done, fill it. If you are a seeker then please don't hesitate. It will change the way you look at things.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very enlightening

I loved the book, and used it as a book of answers to questions I had on business, the quantitative nature of enlightenment, and how that can correlate with where we are as an individual.

The only issue that I had, which is why I gave it 4 stars, is that there were some issues I had on the calibration component and its measurement. I think it might be possible to test someone's level of enlightenment by touch, but the way that it was presented, it was not completely convincing.

Generally though, I believe that it was a fantastic book with great insight, and the ability to move you to a higher level of consciousness about the world around you and how you are interacting with it.

Highly Recommended

Amazing book. Amazing minds that can write it or read it. Plow through the first part and once that foundation is laid, you will resist setting down the book. It changed my life. Changed my thinking. I read it for the first time 10 years ago and am rereading it on my nook.

I recommend this to all open-minded people.

You don't have to believe in gravity for it to work. Same here.

It really is true!

This book is really true. Many of my friends and even people I have never met before tried and its true. It does work and for people that say it doesnt it says in the book the reason why you say it doesnt

Interesting ideas but not very convincing

I really like the ideas presented in this book. With various types of research, Hawkin's discusses the mysterious side of our psyche in a 'scientific' manner. The conclusions he makes are very interesting but not completely convincing. For a better and more convincing explanation of our how our mind works, I'd suggest, 'The Ever-Transcending Spirit' by Toru Sato. The ideas are not the same although there is some overlap. But Sato has a knack for explaining these things in a way that makes a lot of sense to a wider variety of people. This book is definitely worth a read though!

Impacts Mankind Forever

This book takes the reader beyond the linear world. It bridges the gap of which metaphyics attempted to do - but failed. Power Vs. Force unites and bridges the form and formless. Providing techniques of kineseology, one is guided to advance levels of conciousness - as well devoloping a greater sense of one's own spirituality. A definate read for anyone wishing to discover truth... in a subjective manner.

How Did I Get Suckered Into Buying This Book?

The author David R. Hawkins MD, PhD proposes one of the most wildly unscientific theories I've heard in a long time. According to him, measuring the amount of muscle resistance on a person's arm will determine whether any given statement is true or false (p.116). He goes on to say in the next paragraph that this method 'can be used to identify the level of truth of any statement, belief system, or body of knowledge.' We can even compare historical figures such as Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin. Hey - the last time I checked, these individuals were dead. You won't get much muscle resistance from them! But that's not a problem for this author because he simply uses test subjects that are alive today and measures their reaction to the mention of such historical figures. Sure, that will work. This is patently absurd!

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Very Interesting, Well Written, Practical Applications

I bought this book after Wayne Dyer recommended it so highly, and I enjoyed reading it very much. The author combines a theoretical framework and his own empirical research evidence he obtained using a muscle testing. It is quite interesting what he has done here and very thought provoking. Especially worth getting if you have never heard about or used muscle testing to assess the 'truth' of 'things'. An excellent read, high recommendations.

Spirituality for Engineers

What a fantastic book that further supports the works of many others in Spirituality. The common threads of Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and many others are found throughout this historic book. As an engineer I appreciate the first section of the book which establishes the scientific methodology utilized and outlines the theory. For those of us in this field, you will surely recognize the approach. Beyond that the book is phenomenal and raises your consciousness as you read it. Further, Hawkins puts into perspective many historical events relative to the 'simple' testing that establishes the goodness or level of consciousness of those events. Enjoy!

A Sad Day For Philosophy....

This book is filled with contradictions from field to field, and is riddled with wholes. It attempts to justify irrationality through objective facts, but falls very short of doing this. It suggests that I, or you, are not each individual people, but are actually a piece of a collective (un)consciousness that acts on subjective whims of an unknowable 'force'. It is a book that could be used to 'attempt' to justify communism. It is simply another spin on the same trash taught in our colleges and universities across the nation.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

lucky you!

This is truly a wonderful book! It has changed my life! I have applied the knowledge and am benefitting. Even my kids are using his methods! I am happy that you are on your way to enlightenment having read this book. My love to you

Wonderful and all encompassing

This is the best book I have ever read. Goes far beyond others on the subject of spirituallity and its relevance to human consciousness. Would definitely recommend this book.

a truly enlightening book

This is an amazing book. Dr Hawkins has provided a framework for spirit/consciousness which is both powerful and practical. He also provides some insights and reframes into areas of life (i.e. politics, sports, wellness, religion, etc) that forever change the way I/We look at things....kudos to him and the highest possible recommendation for this book. One last point is that for friends who have also read the book, it has allowed us to talk about life, spirituality and consciousness equipped with a new language for communicating. Many thanks to Dr Hawkins for sharing this work out in the universe.

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