Wondering where your true center is? (Part One)

When I meditate, I’m always surprised to discover that the center point of my body is definitively not around my brain. Scientifically, it’s called our perceptual center. The heart often falls also in that category. There are people who feel their “center” is in their head (where thoughts originate) or their heart (where emotions are felt). 

Both locations are just metaphorical centers tied to identity and experience. To me, the head feels more like the computer that centralizes and manages information, but doesn’t participate much in what I feel. That comes from the less obvious region towards the center of my body. 

Sure, every doctor will tell me that the anatomical center is found in a pelvic region, the center of mass in a standing adult and that it’s typically located just in front of the second sacral vertebra (S2), which is in the middle of the pelvis. Science also tells us that it’s the point around which our body balances and rotates most naturally. 

Then, beyond that location is the so-called energetic or philosophical center, also called core or solar plexus. In yoga, martial arts, and many Eastern philosophies, the body's center is often located a few inches below the navel. It’s seen as the source of physical and spiritual energy and it’s also associated with grounding, stability, and inner strength. 

Okay, now I know what to make out of my question, even if some of you aren’t yet convinced. That seems to take care of my physical body, so my next question is where in hell is our soul located? We’ll explore this provocative question in our next blog, so please, don’t miss it!