Hara: Die energetische Mitte des Menschen

by Karlfried Graf Von Dürckheim

Hara heißt wörtlich übersetzt "Bauch" und meint eine Verfassung des ganzen Menschen, in der er gelassen in seiner Leibesmitte ruht und frei ist von den Ängsten und Sorgen des kleinen Ich. Karlfried Graf Dürckheim erläutert Hara in seinem japanischen Kontext und zeigt danach anschaulich, dass es eine allgemeinmenschliche Bedeutung hat, die auch für uns westliche Menschen in höchstem Maße wichtig ist. Die zahlreichen praktischen Meditationsübungen, zu denen er einfühlsam und präzise anleitet, sind der ideale Weg, um die heilsame Verbindung zum göttlichen Sein herzustellen. Auf diese Weise findet man die eigene Mitte und stärkt die individuelle Lebenskraft.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Zen, Taoism, Health, Buddhism

253 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an in depth look at the Japanese philosophy of "Hara" or lower energy centre (tan tien) and its place in health, spirituality, personality and life. The first chapters on Japanese language and "Hara" are very interesting and show how the concept is foundational to many aspects of Japanese life. The author then writes the main bulk of the book based on his experiences in Japan (last century), and although insightful, seems also to be wordy and ephemeral in the points he is trying to convey. There are a few practical bits thrown here than here around posture, breath, relaxation etc., however, I found most to be conceptual, psychological and speculative. The best part of the book (for me) was actually the original Japanese texts found in the Appendix, which to the contrary, are completely practical, concise and give direct instructions for those wishing to practice sitting, and cultivating "Hara". Worth studying.

[David Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Durckheim is a German who somehow made his way to Japan, and was quite influenced by his time there. Hara is his book about the energy center in the body that the Japanese also sometimes call the tanden, roughly two inches below the navel (it is also one of the chakras in the Indian system). I have always found that to be an energy center in my sitting practice, but the Japanese positively revere it, and see it as the connection to the whole universe. Especially interesting in this latest edition are some appendices which excerpt writing from three Japanese teachers. I had never heard of any of them, but their teachings are fascinating. The first one, for instance, begins: "Tanden is the shrine of the Divine. If its stronghold is finely built so that the Divine in us can grow then a real human being is achieved." The book itself I would give three stars, but the appendices pull it up a notch.

[Irene Jurna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Het is niet mogelijk een volledig mens te worden zonder Hara, zonder dit midden-van-lichaam-en-ziel te verwerven.” Dat vond ik een goede premise om dit boek te lezen.

Hara betekent letterlijk buik: ‘het dragende midden van de mens’. Het is het zwaartepunt dat volgens Dürckheim zorgt voor verbinding met jezelf en met de wereld om je heen.

Wat ik heel mooi vind aan Hara, is de focus op houding. Dit boek uit 1961 heeft me een nieuwe kijk gegeven op mijn houding. Tijdens het mediteren, lopen, klimmen: overal kan je oefenen in het bewust-zijn in hara.

Uiteindelijk gaat hara om het verwerven van de vorm waarin je “transparant wordt voor de werkzaamheid van het goddelijke Zijn”. Een mooie premise om door te gaan met deze oefening.

[Met dank aan Jeroen van Deutekom door wie ik in de zen-lessen over dit boek te weten kwam. En met dank aan Ming voor alle hara-grapjes en lieve zorg tijdens mijn buikpijn toen ik aan dit onderwerp begon.]

[Carol Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the interior process of reading and experiencing the content of this wonderfully accessible book on becoming conscious of and developing Hara. Durckheim’s writing was deeply enjoyable throughout and the inclusion of the Japanese texts in the appendix was particularly insightful. At this stage I predict that I’ll return to the incredible insights contained within the Japanese texts time and again, they were something else.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for integrating meditation/breathing practice and insights.

[Aleksandar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it explains the importance of posture and breathing in seated meditation.

My personal practice follows almost all of the principles outlined in the book, but I applied the teaching of the book to change some very subtle details in my breathing, energy focus and posture. Despite the changes being subtle, they improved my practice, in a way that I can achieve higher bodily relaxation, which then enables me to achieve higher states of non-attachment.

People who would benefit the most are people that already engage in seated meditation, since the book doesn't go into too much detail and instruction. I simply understood all that was written based on my own seated meditation experience.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oud boek, redelijk goed te lezen, nog steeds relevant onderwerp over de relatie tussen lichaam en geest.
Gaat wel iets te veel over goede en verkeerde houding, maar mooi om te lezen hoe in Japan die houding en ademhaling gekoppeld wordt aan het zijn, het ik.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering the quality of the contents and the precision used it is one of the best book I've read on this topic. surely to read!

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce livre résonne en moi
Je suis en formation à l’école française de yoga à Paris qui enseigne quatre lignées de yoga dont la lignée Dürckheim ; Ce qui m’a amenée à découvrir ce qu’est le Hara ; décidément je me suis embarquée dans une formidable aventure, sur les chemins de la découverte de l’être intérieur, au service de l’essentiel: la progression sur la Voie
Je recommande à tous ceux qui cherche à maîtriser la vue dans ce monde

[Oskari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such amazing book that has inspired me to inquire further into the practice of my "center".

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinctly describes the philosophy and practice behind Hara. The enthusiasm and knowledge of the author clearly shines brightly.

[Alexandrianeighbourhoodlibrary]

different language

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent explanation of Hara by a master. Hard reading towards the end as it goes deeper.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for anyone who cares about their own well-being.

[Marloes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translated in Dutch as "Hara, het dragende midden van de mens"

[Maximiliano Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a super profound book. Oh, my God, I need to re-read at least two times to assimilate all knowledge.