Staff of Power

A dear friend and colleague remarked recently we all have a ready-made and built-in Staff of Power. This simple reminder of a ready-made and built-in Power Staff really lit my circuits. She spoke particularly of the spinal column but really it’s greater than a physical structure. In fact, for me, the physical structure is evidence of the underlying energetic schematic. Long recognized by ancient cultures, Hindus spoke of this central channel as the Shushumna; Chinese termed it the Chong Mai (in acupuncture known as the Penetrating Vessel of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels - more about them another time). By any name, it's that energetic fundamental core we all have. Not really new news but somehow something more clicked into place for me in that moment. ​

Human history is full of Staffs of Power, found in all sorts of forms and for all sorts of purposes. Some examples, in no particular order and certainly not an exhaustive list:

• Talking Stick allows the speaker space and time to be heard
• Scepter (as in “orb and”), one of the symbols of Regency
• Wand directs and extends energy
• Sword (from old-fashioned forged-from-fallen-stars to light sabres) may be used directly or ceremonially
• Beam of Light (including laser), as the Twin Towers memorial
• Walking stick, from Moses to Cosmo Kramer
• Rod of Asclepius, ancient Greek symbol of healing and medicine
• Caduceus, originally “herald's wand,” associated with Hermes/Mercury
• Marotte, the European Court Jester's scepter
• Conductor's baton, similar to a Wand, organizes and paces the orchestra
• Acupuncture Needle, another version of Wand
• Electric Guitar! Where would the 20th Century be without it?

​You get the idea: lots of examples and lots of purposes!  Devices to claim and exhibit power as well as devices to deliver energy, ideas, power.  What comes to mind for you? 

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Our energetic blueprint is the master plan of what form we can take as we come into being. In other words, think of DNA as the possibilities of who and what you can be. Embryology shows us that by 3 weeks the neural tube has formed. We are literally organized and built around a Power Staff. Physical structures grow up into its image: spinal cord & vertebrae, major blood vessels (aorta and vena cava) and digestive system (albeit, a less-than direct path). 

So what about all of this clicked into place for me? Paying attention to aligning my physical structure with this “interior” Power Staff, I noticed a clear sensation of energetic focus along this pathway. Perhaps you’ve felt your own Staff with a sensation of energy moving up or down, tracing this deep pathway. I noticed physically aligning with this ineffable core my connection with acupuncture and reiki practices deepened in potency, connection with vocal expression eased and strengthened, and I felt lifted up, lightened and expanded into my own Self. Even something so mundane as strength training at the gym was more potent. No matter what movement, which muscle group, with overall alignment in place, my whole being, body and spirit, benefited. ​

DIY alignment and tune-up? Simply with a little straightening up and paying attention, what could be more simple? And simplicity is the other aspect that clicked in for me. I find great and fundamental truths are simply simple. ​​

 Simple sounds great, yes? Tell me, what about these days actually is simple? And how do I access my Power Staff? Good news! It’s always there, it’s always been there for you. If you’re new to all of this, consider a “faking it ‘til you make it” tactic. Use your intention and attention together to imagine the place in your internal environment where your Power Staff would be. Try finding the front aspect of your backbone. Yes, an uncommon way to think about your spine as we usually focus on the back side. Not to worry, if there’s a back to something, a front is guaranteed. Play around, explore, notice what you notice.
As you begin to reconnect more with the internal sensation of your Power Staff, start to feel clearer connection with this dynamic flow. Notice how it can extend outside your body, continuing on the same trajectory, top and bottom, coupling you with Above and Below. Again, the ancients recognized this as the realm of the human being: connected to, supported by and nourished from Heaven and Earth (Above and Below). In Chinese thought, it is the interactions of primordial Heaven and Earth (Yang and Yin) that engenders life.  Simple. ​

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Aligned from the inside, tuned up and linked, your personal vibe sings and shines! You are, after all, directly plugged into Above and Below. Yeah, but we're in the roiling big stew of greater energies and influences and we may lose sight of these things from time to time. Use this simple little thought meditation to find yourself, your inherent Power and your place when things get a little rocky and swirly. Our Staff of Power's form is tubular, ready to receive from either end and when it's optimal, we receive and integrate optimal information. Our Power Staff resonates realms internal and external. As it flourishes, we flourish. Simply a matter of straightening up and paying attention. Simple; we've got this.

In the sincere interest and consideration of tender hearts and possible misunderstandings, I recognize the above .gif may not be Everyone's cup of tea. No disrespect or insult is intended; please accept my apology if necessary. 

A few more Power Staff images in a slideshow: