The book Power vs. Force by Dr. David R. Hawkins examines the concepts of power and force from a spiritual and consciousness-based perspective. Published in 1995, the book provides a scale for measuring human consciousness and asserts that a higher level of consciousness leads to increased power in a person’s life.
What is the main idea of Power vs. Force?
The central thesis of Power vs. Force is that power comes from within, while force is based on external factors. Hawkins argues that true power arises from inner qualities like courage, love, and wisdom, rather than from force, which relies on coercion, domination, or control. He proposes a “Map of Consciousness” which ranks human emotions, attitudes, and behaviors on a scale of 1 to 1000 based on their vibrational frequency. Higher levels of consciousness like joy and enlightenment vibrate at a higher frequency and generate more power, while lower levels like shame and apathy vibrate at a lower frequency and rely more on force. This Map of Consciousness provides a framework for understanding how energy and spirituality influence personal empowerment.
How does Hawkins define power?
According to Hawkins, power is the ability to do, whereas force is the ability to dominate. Hawkins states that authentic power comes from inner strength based on moral courage, integrity, and a commitment to truth and service. Power arises from purpose, vision, and dedication to principles. It creates positive change through example, kindness, and empowering others. Power comes from being conscious of a greater purpose beyond oneself. In contrast, force arises from negative emotions like fear, anger, and the desire to control others. Force may temporarily dominate situations through intimidation and aggression, but it cannot effect lasting change because it depends on external factors rather than inner truth.
How does Hawkins define force?
Hawkins depicts force as the ability to restrain, compel, or exert domination over others through coercion or violence. Force may create the illusion of power by suppressing the will of others, but this effect is temporary since it triggers resistance. Force often arises from lower energies like pride, desire, and fear. Forceful approaches based on shame, manipulation, or authoritarian control may appear to work in the short-term but inevitably backfire. Instead of quelling opposition, force creates more adversity by instilling resentment and stimulating further backlash. While force may intimidate people for a period, its effect is limited since it contradicts moral and spiritual principles.
What is the Map of Consciousness?
The Map of Consciousness is a scale developed by Hawkins using a technique called kinesiology to test the energetic and vibrational levels associated with different emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. By testing the strength or weakness of subjects’ muscles while they focused on a given state of being, Hawkins determined the corresponding vibrational frequency. He calibrated these values on a logarithmic scale from 1 to 1000, with 1 representing the lowest levels of human consciousness like shame, guilt, or apathy, and 1000 representing the highest level of enlightenment and peak spiritual states.
What are the levels of consciousness according to Hawkins’ Map?
Here are the basic levels of consciousness on Hawkins’ Map, from lowest to highest:
| Shame | Guilt | Apathy | Grief | Fear |
| Desire | Anger | Pride | Courage | Neutrality |
| Willingness | Acceptance | Reason | Love | Joy |
| Peace | Enlightenment |
The lower levels from 1 to 199 are based on negative emotions and life-negating perspectives. The mid-levels from 200 to 499 represent more positive attitudes and contexts of learning. The higher levels from 500 to 1000 denote refined states of spiritual awareness and enlightened consciousness.
How is the Map organized and calibrated?
The Map of Consciousness is arranged logarithmically, meaning that each incremental point represents a large increase in power. The numbers are calibrated using kinesiology muscle testing. Hawkins found that the human body stores information about consciousness levels in the immune system, cell tissue, and atoms. Kinesiology uses muscle response as a form of biofeedback to reveal information about energy systems in the body and subconscious mind.
By adjusting the scale logarithmically, small increases in ratings on the Map of Consciousness reflect major increases in power. For example, a small increase from 490 to 510 represents a much larger expansion in power than an increase from 10 to 30. This mirrors exponential growth in vibrational energy. Levels above 600 denote states of great spiritual awareness and energy.
What is the premise about consciousness and spirituality?
The central premise in Power vs. Force is that consciousness is the primary determinant of power in human life. Hawkins views consciousness as the most essential aspect of existence, even more fundamental than energy and matter. He sees consciousness as the source of all motivation and action. Hawkins also describes consciousness as a continuum rather than a simple dichotomy or on-off switch.
Higher levels of consciousness allow access to life-affirming energy sources like courage, love, joy, and inspiration. Lower levels of consciousness create inner filters based on patterns like fear, desire, and pride. A key insight is that we have some choice over our state of consciousness through practices like prayer, meditation, and service to others.
According to Hawkins, the more we refine our consciousness, the more power, satisfaction, and connection to universal spiritual principles we experience. He argues that cultivating higher consciousness is the essence of the spiritual path in all faiths and traditions. Enlightened consciousness brings freedom, compassion, wisdom, and unlimited inner power.
What evidence supports the Map of Consciousness?
Hawkins provides various forms of evidence to support his Map of Consciousness in Power vs. Force:
Kinesiological muscle testing:
By using kinesiology, Hawkins demonstrated tangible physiological changes linked to different conscious states. The body’s nervous system and energy fields respond predictably to stimuli related to higher or lower vibrations.
Consistency across test subjects:
Hawkins calibrates the levels based on extensive testing of thousands of subjects from diverse backgrounds, yet found consistency in the vibrational patterns associated with each level of consciousness.
Alignment with spiritual teachings:
Hawkins argues that the Map of Consciousness aligns with the teachings of saints, mystics, and enlightened souls throughout history, validating its coherence with broadly shared spiritual experiences.
Personal growth and therapy outcomes:
Hawkins suggests that the Map of Consciousness corresponds to observable transformations in people’s lives as they undergo effective psychotherapy or spiritual growth practices.
Societal and historical applications:
The levels of the Map can be applied to explain why certain societies flourished or declined at different points in history based on their collective social consciousness.
What are the main benefits of higher consciousness?
According to Hawkins, some of the main benefits of cultivating higher states of consciousness are:
Increased inner power –
Access to more energy, inspiration, and personal power arising from universal spiritual sources.
Wisdom –
Ability to understand deeper truths about life and oneself. Clarity about the meaning of existence.
Enhanced willpower –
Greater capacity to achieve goals and overcome challenges. Strength to persist despite obstacles.
Creativity –
Heightened imagination, innovation, and self-expression. Openness to new possibilities.
Joy and inner peace –
A nearly constant sense of contentment, calm, and appreciation for life. Less fear and anxiety.
Greater compassion –
More empathy, love, and goodwill towards others. Desire to serve the greater good.
Freedom –
Liberation from rigid beliefs, excessive desires, and fixed perceptions about life. Flexibility and openness.
In essence, higher consciousness enables people to access the most uplifting, insightful, and empowering capacities of human nature.
How does the Map of Consciousness relate to power?
According to the central thesis of Power vs. Force, the higher one’s level of consciousness, the more personal power they have to fulfill their intentions in life. Power comes from within and increases in conjunction with the refinement of one’s consciousness. As consciousness expands, egotism and limitation decrease, opening access to inner power sources.
The lower levels of consciousness on the Map create an illusory and limited sense of power based on externals like social status, possessions, reputation, and physicality. But the higher levels allow connection to unlimited power by aligning with broader spiritual forces of life. As consciousness rises, motives shift from fear and control to understanding and service, which Hawkins sees as the essence of authentic power.
How does power differ from force?
Hawkins emphasizes that power differs greatly from force. Power develops from higher consciousness within, while force arises from lower fears and desires. Force seeks to dominate through intimidation, threat, punishment, manipulation, or attack. It causes resistance and greater adversity. Power seeks to uplift others through example, consensus, and principle-centered leadership. It brings out the higher aspirations in others through inspiration rather than coercion.
Why does power increase with spiritual growth?
Hawkins suggests that spiritual development enhances access to power because it opens a connection to an unlimited source of energy and wisdom that transcends ordinary consciousness. As the narrow perceptions of the ego give way to wider understanding and identification with all of life, consciousness rises. This prompts a shift from serving only oneself to serving the greater good, which Hawkins sees as the foundation of true power.
What are some key takeaways from Power vs. Force?
Some key points readers take away from Power vs. Force include:
- True power comes from inner growth, not external factors.
- Consciousness is the core determinant of power in life.
- Higher consciousness aligns us with profound spiritual forces.
- Force creates resistance, but power uplifts others.
- All levels of consciousness exist within each person.
- We can transform levels of consciousness through mindfulness and spirituality.
- Power brings freedom; force causes limitations.
- Power serves others rather than dominating.
- Consciousness mirrors exponential growth, not linear.
- Small increases in consciousness create major gains in power.
The book provides a framework for understanding power, consciousness, and spirituality both individually and collectively. Readers gain inspiration to expand awareness, align with life-affirming energies, serve others, and resist conformity or domination.
Conclusion
In Power vs. Force, Dr. David R. Hawkins puts forth a model of human consciousness that equates power with inner spiritual development and force with external behaviors of control and intimidation. His Map of Consciousness proposes that qualities like courage, acceptance, reason, love, and enlightenment vibrate at progressively higher frequencies that allow greater access to energy, wisdom, creativity, and power within each individual. The book highlights the difference between seeking power, which uplifts others, and using force, which causes resistance. Power vs. Force provides readers with inspiration to cultivate compassion, introspection, and higher awareness as a path toward inner growth, fulfillment, and empowerment.
