We hear people more regularly now referring to 'strengthening your core'. For the most part, that's intended as an instruction towards the physical body, and therefore relates to muscle tone, posture and flexibility. However, in the world of subtle energy, it has a very different meaning. In this case it relates to the structure of the human energy field, and the energy nexus point that exists at the core centre. The location of this within the body is midway between the navel and the solar plexus.
It is essential to uphold a strong energetic structure. It allows our natural energy system to work correctly, supporting all of the physical body functions. It strengthens us mentally, with ability to focus, concentrate and calculate. And it allows us a fluid system of processing within our emotional transactions and functions.
Our strength of Being, our command, and our ability to manage the everyday energy transactions of experience, is all dependent on how we cultivate the core of our energy system - our 'centre'. At that point, we need to develop stillness, awareness and a strong connection to our natural world and environments. That gives us our natural energetic fuel, our sense of belonging, and all the strength required for dealing with life events and happenings.
The spiritual essence of developing your Core
But in spiritual context, a strong core is also how we hold our moral code and values, it's the place where law and righteousness sit within, and therefore it is our guide to, and director of, rightful living. In a world where our health and well-being is dependent on understanding the right values by which we live, and the purpose and function of a meaningful life, it becomes more important to understand what is present within the core of our Being.
Inner work is literally taking the focus inwards, to explore and cultivate relationship with your own inner being.
The 'energetic core' is developed with inner work, and that is the journey inwards to learn about who you are, your purpose, and what drives your desires. Inner work is NOT.... sitting quietly, mindfulness, relaxing, or venturing our consciousness outwards in meditation. Inner work is literally taking the focus inwards, to explore and cultivate relationship with your own inner being. The intention is to discover more of who you are, what you're about, what's important to you and what drives your intentions and desires. Inner work is usually focused on the Core centre (within the abdomen), or the ‘Sacred Heart’ (the energy centre within the chest cavity).
When we participate in inner work, it is literally a journey of discovering the inner being. So, we don't particularly seek anything - we become open to 'see' and we explore and we discover. If there is a particular issue or life event that is causing you disturbance, then a good place to start would be to say "I need to discover why I get the feelings of ….. (whatever you feel needs exploring)". Once you state the intention, you close your eyes and take your focus inwards into the body, directing towards the core, allowing yourself to go inwards intuitively. On the inner journey, we 'see' or recall things - perhaps experiences we had forgotten, or strength and courage we hadn't realised we had. But the process is about exploring and comprehending what you are discovering about yourself.
And it is also about getting clues and indications of things we need to know about. Often, we live with suppressed feelings and memories, and it isn't until we explore what we have ‘buried’ inside, that we begin to reveal and get clearer comprehension of why we are the way we are, why we behave as we do, or why life circumstances are as they are.
Becoming strong, aware and in command
Inner core work is the keystone to whole life development - it's literally the inner compass that helps you navigate a true path in line with your purpose. It therefore is, the truer knowledge about your life. Once the inner world is stable and strong, the outer world changes accordingly.
Our inner consciousness is made up of multiple facets of the 'known' - it's who we are. Bringing more facets of knowledge and memory and skills, to conscious awareness, strengthens our presence in the world. The more we know of who we are in the world, as an individual, the greater our presence. The greater our presence, the stronger our energy. The stronger our energy, the more direct and commanding we can be in life.
Tip: Keep a journal especially to jot down your findings and experience of inner work. Then you can reflect upon your discoveries, and pursue in more depth your path of self development. Remember… it’s important to date your entries!
