Hara
Hara is, in Japanese Zen, the “centre” of the human being: an energy centre in the lower abdomen, a little below the navel. Literally hara means the “belly” – but what is meant is the mental centre in the body, the place out of which a human being acts calmly, gathered and steadfastly. In the tradition of Kundalini Yoga the hara corresponds to the 3rd chakra, the navel centre of will and drive.
Hara and the 3rd chakra
Hara and 3rd chakra are, from our point of view, two names for the same centre. What is striking is how differently the cultures weight it: Japanese and Chinese ascribe great significance to the hara – the centre of personal strength and strength of will – while the Kundalini yogis rather emphasise the heart centre (4th chakra). The hara is the seat of assertiveness and drive – that energy with which we bring our intentions into the world (more on the background under chakra system, Kundalini and life energy).
Finding the centre – centring
In Zen it is less a matter of theory than of the experience of one’s own centre. D. Harald Alke describes an encounter with the Zen master Roshi Tetsuo Nagaya: with a single small movement of the hand, he helped him to lay the hands together in front of the lower abdomen and to encompass and to feel the hara, the 3rd chakra. “I had centred myself. That produced this inner calm.” This is a personal experience – but it shows well what it is about: not a concept, but a perceptible state of gathering.
A simple exercise to try it out for oneself:
- Sit upright, shoulders loose, the chest slightly opened.
- Lay the hands together in the lap into a circle; the little finger touches the abdomen just above the navel, the tips of the thumbs touch each other.
- Breathe calmly into the lower abdomen – a few minutes are enough.
Already after a short time a feeling of calm and steadfastness sets in for many. This is an exercise for gathering and well-being – no healing procedure.
Our view
From our point of view, a human being who “rests in their centre” is less easily thrown off course. Whoever feels their hara acts rather out of their own strength than out of hectic or pressure. The work with one’s own centre is therefore for us a core of all gathering – related to meditation and to a conscious dealing with one’s own energy. This is a personal, worldview-based view, no medical promise.
Related terms
- Chakra system – the hara as the 3rd chakra in the overview of the seven centres
- Kundalini – the life force that works through the chakras
- Life energy – the subtle basic term behind it
- Meditation – ways of finding one’s own centre
Frequently asked questions
What is the hara – simply explained?
In Japanese Zen, the hara is the 'centre' of the human being: an energy centre in the lower abdomen, a little below the navel. Whoever rests there feels gathered and steadfast. In the yoga tradition it corresponds to the 3rd chakra.
Is the hara the same as the 3rd chakra?
From our point of view, yes – they are two names for the same centre. In Kundalini Yoga it is called the 3rd chakra (navel centre, seat of will and drive), in Zen the hara. Japanese and Chinese traditions emphasise this centre especially strongly.
How does one find one's centre (one's hara)?
A simple way: sit upright, lay the hands loosely together in the lap into a circle, the little finger touching the abdomen just above the navel, and breathe calmly into the lower abdomen. Already after a short time a feeling of calm and centredness often sets in.
Change history · last updated on
- — First English version.
Sources
- D. Harald Alke: Energytraining, Band 1 & 2. Kyborg Institut & Verlag – on the hara as the 3rd chakra, on centring and on hand posture/breathing. ISBN Band 2: 3-924722-02-1. Entry, German National Library
- D. Harald Alke: Mahatma (Lebenserinnerungen). Kyborg Institut & Verlag – on the encounter with the Zen master Roshi Tetsuo Nagaya and on the experience of one's own centre.
- D. Harald Alke: Gesundheitslexikon (Health Encyclopedia). A detailed account of health-relevant topics and therapeutic methods; bundled, overlapping experiences from around 30 years of life counselling. Kyborg Institute.
Autor: D. Harald Alke