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2 Thistexthasbeenwrittenforthosewhohaveaninterestinthewholescienceof yoga.ihavestudiedandresearcheditfor35yearsatthispoint,andhavelooked intomanyothermethodsofferedinthespiritualmarketplace.itismypersonal opinionthatyogaisthemostcompleteandcomprehensivesystemforstudyand developmentofthehumanbody,mindandspirit. However,intheWestIhavetoooftenseenyogataughtinamechanicalway,with littleornoattentiontothebreath,andvirtuallynothingsaidaboutenergyandthe chakras.partofthepurposeofthisbookistofillinthegaps tosupplythemissing piecesofthepuzzlethatcomposethe scienceofyoga. Thebasicsofposture, movementandbreathareonlythebeginningofanexplorationthattakesusdeeply intothephysiological,psychologicalandspiritualaspectsofourbeing.youcould lookatthisbookasanowner smanualforthemind/bodyvehicleinwhichout spritsresides.wheneverwebuyanewgadget,machineorappliance,itcomeswith suchamanual,yethereweareinthemostcomplexbiologicalvehicleinthe universewithoutanunderstandingofhowitactuallyworks,physiologicallyor mentally.werecognizetheimportanceofbringingourcarsinforanoilchangeand atuneiup,butweknowlittleaboutreprogrammingourownminds.intheancient educationalsystemsoftheculturesihavestudiedsuchasthehindu,themayaand theegyptians,mindandbodyweretheprimarysubjectsofstudyfortheeliteand upperclassesofsociety.yearsofstudywererequiredtodevelopanunderstanding oftheeternalnatureofhumanconsciousness,theenergyworldofthemind,andthe physicalrealityofthebody.theseancientsystemstrainedpeopletobecome mastersofthemselves.theknowledgewasregardedassacred,andalwaysguarded assecret,toberevealedtothosewhoprovedthemselvesworthy. TodaythisinformationisreIemergingandbecomingaccessibletothosesincere seekerswhoarestrivingtounderstandtherealityoftheirowninnerselves,those walkingthepathof SelfIRealization. This Level1 teachers trainingcourseis aimedatdevelopingthenecessaryabilitiesforyoutobeinchargeofyourphysical body,yourenergyandyourstateofmind.duringthisprocessyouarepromptedto discoverwho you reallyareasanindividualspiritualbeing.thiscoursewillgive youthetechniquestobeingand/orproceedwithyourjourneyinanorganizedand systematicway.dailypracticeofthisyogamethodisnecessarytomoveenergy throughthebodyandattainhigherstatesofmentalawareness.youwillbeprovided withthefoundationfortheancientknowledgesystembasesonunderstandingthe timelessenergyworldofthechakras. Foreword,by,Marina, Iwouldliketobeginbysayingthatdiscoveringtheenergyworldofthe Scienceof Yoga ChakraSystem hasbeenamagical,unfolding,mysticaljourney.thescience oftheuniverseisvastandmysterious.

3 MotherEarthcarrieswithinherenergeticmemorythehistoryofmanyancient civilizations,someofthemfarmoreadvancedthanourmodernage.manycultures suchasthegreeks,egyptians,eastindians,chinese,andthemayanculture,toname afew,seemedtounderstandtheworkingsofthemind,theenergybody,aswellas thepowerofsacredsound.theseancientculturespracticedadvancedtechniques forthedevelopmentoftheirhighersensessuchasclairvoyance,clairaudience, telepathyandvisualization.understandingtheinnerworldofthechakras,through breathingpatterns,meditation,aswellasworkingwithsound,lightandsacred geometry,theseancientpeopleswereabletoconnectwiththeirhigher consciousness,theupper,heavenlyrealmsandaffirmtheirplacewiththeoneness oftheuniverse,theoneconsciousness. Formyself,eachday,Iamgratefultohavebeenintroducedtotheteachingsofthe ScienceofYoga ChakraSystem bydavid&histeacher,swamigitananda,forit laysoutawelltraveledmaptoselfirealization.inopeninguptothisintegrated systemofyogaiwasveryinspired.ifeltihadfoundthepieceofthepuzzletothe greatmysteryofthecosmicuniverse.ifeltasenseofrememberingthisancient knowledgeandhowitallmadelogicalsensetome.onedayafteroneofmyyoga practiceiremembersaying, alltheworldshouldlearnthisknowledge.ifallthe world speopleweretopracticethenineformsofyogawewouldhaveamuchmore healthier,happierandpeacefulglobalvillage. Itwasin1995thatIwasveryfortunatetomeetDavidthroughoneofhisweekly yogaclasses.ifeltasenseofexhilarationinstumblingacrossateacherwhohadthis knowledge.instudying&practicingwithdavidiwasveryimpressedwithhis dedicationtothedisciplineofyoga.ithoughthismandaladrawingsofthechakras wereincredible.inhisteachingsdavidlaidoutthesystemofyogasimilartohowit wastaughttohimbyhisteacher,swamigitananda.theprogressionandintegration ofthenineformsofyogamadeagoodbalance.iwasexitedtoperceivethatthe practiceofeachoftheseformsofyogaleadsonetothemasteryoftheselfandin unionwithhigherconsciousnessofthesacreduniverse.thispracticeofyogaisa sacred,scientific,spiritualpathwhichhasbeenexploredbymanyenlightened beingsoverthepast10,000yearsormore. AnotherteacherwhobroughttheteachingsoftheScienceofYogatotheWestisSri ParamahansaYogaInanda.YoganandawassenttotheUnitedStatesfromIndiaby hisguru,sriyukteswargiri.duringhis30yearsteachinginthewestyogananda initiatedover100,000studentsinthepracticeofkriyayoga.thispracticeofyoga encompassestheformsofyogasuchaspranayamayoga,jnanayoga,rajayoga, MantraYogaaswellasBhaktiYoga:TechniquesandpracticestoattainselfI realization. Inhisbook,AWorldinTransition,Yoganandastated, KryiaYogaprovidesthe missinglink inourtwentiethcenturyunderstandingofenergy.hesaiditgivesthe meanstobalancematerialprogresswithspiritualdevelopment.

4 In1934hesaid: therewillcomeaday,afterihaveleftthisphysicalform,when therewillbeagreatsurgeofspiritualenthusiasmandinterestingod.themessage ofindiawillsweeptheearth.thescienceofyogawilltakeholdinthiscountrymore thananyotherformofspiritualseeking.theentiretrendwillbeawayfrom churches,wherepeoplegoonlytohearasermonandintoschoolsandquietplaces wheretheywillgotomeditateandreallyfindgod. (Notedfromhisbook,AWorldinTransition) Yoganandataughtthatonlybypurifyingourownmindsandenergyfieldscouldwe begintohelppurifyandpositivelyhelptheconsciousnessofourglobalcommunity. Thepeopleoftheearthareawakeningtothisancientscienceoftheuniverse. Aroundtheworldtodaypeoplearedrawntowardsthepracticeofyoga,meditation, chanting,taichi,qigong,pranichealingandsoon.thereisanintuitiveandsoulful longingfordivineselfirealizationandunionwithourspiritualuniverse.each people sindividualpracticecanmakeagooddifferenceintheworldasawhole. Inthelastseveralyearspracticing,studyingandteachingchakrayogawithDavidI havebeenamazedbytheaccuracyofthisscience.theaccuracyofthechakraenergy timecyclesandtheirpsychologicalcharacteristicshavebeenveryprofoundto experience.aswelltheexactscienceofmantrayogahasalsobeenveryclearingand awakeningforme.chantingparticularsanskritsoundformulashasmany physiological,psychologicalandspiritualbenefits.itisincrediblehowitworksonso manylevels.alloftheformsofyogaintegratedtogetherpurifiesone smindand energyfieldandleadsonetosweetlevelsofblissandpeacefulness. InAlberta,Canada,attheyoungageofnineteen,Ibeganmypracticeofclassical Hathayoga.Istartedoutwithsomeweeklyclassesfromalocalyogainstructorin mycommunityandfellinlovewiththeflowing,meditativepracticeofyoga.yoga becamemydailypractice.since1995ihavebeengreatlyinfluencedbydavid s inspiringteachingsofthe ScienceofYogaIChakraSystem.Forme,ithasbeenan incredibleexplorationoftheself;body,mind&spirit Inmyearly20 sialsoexploredmyloveofdanceandsinging.ienjoyedstudyingand practicingdifferentschoolsofdancesuchasthestylesofjazz,ballet,modern, contactimprove,african,andcreativeimprovisationaldance.inmyyogaclassesi encouragemystudentstoexploretheirauthenticdancingspirittoawakentheir uniquechakraenergycentersandconnectwiththebreathandtherhythmofthe cosmicuniverse.danceisknowndownthroughtheagesofmanycivilizationsand shamanicculturesasagatewaytoconnectandcomeintounionwiththemasculine andfeminineenergies;theshiva&shaktiofthedivineuniverse.ourbodyholds muchknowledgeandthousandsofmemoriesfrompastandpresentlifetimes.this awarenesshasbeenhasbeensubstantiatedbyrenownedscientist,dr.candacepert whowrotethebook,moleculesofemotionaswellasrecordedthelectures,your BodyisYourSubconsciousMind.ThroughherresearchonneuroIpeptidesshe affirmedthateverythoughtorexperiencewehaveinourbrainisalsoregisteredin

5 thereceptorsofparticularcellsinthebodydependingonthevibrationofthe thought.thisisamazingresearchofthemodernageourmindisnotjustinthe brainastheoldschoolsofthoughtoncebelieved.themindisinthewholebody.we canfreeourmindthroughthemediumofdance GabrielleRoth,adanceteacher&musicianfromNewYorkwhowrotethebooks, MapstoEcstasyandSweatYourPrayers,createdaformatofdanceandmusiccalled TheFiveIRhythms andusesittotakepeopleonajourneythroughthephysicaland energybody.ithasproventobeveryliberatingforpeoplefromallwalksoflife Onanothernoteworkingwithsound&vibrationhasproventobeaveryeffective waytoconnectwithspiritandfreethesoulformyself,allmylife,ihaveloved.it hasgivenmegreatjoyibelieveeveryonelovestosingandeverybodycansingbut thesingerinmanypeoplebecomesdormantasachildgetsolder.thishappensfor variousreasonsbutifellthisissadforitrulybelievethattheshouldistrulyalive whenitsingsormakessoundsinsuchpracticesaschantingorvoweltoning. Myformaltrainingincludesthestudyofdrama,musicaltheatre,jazzsingingaswell asclassicalvoicetraining.exploringthepotentialofmyvoicewasanincredible journeybacktotheselfopeningupone svoicefreesandexpandsthesouland awakensthebeauty&joywithintheheartchakra.iencourageallmystudentsto givethemselvesthegiftofsinginglessons,evenforafewmonths,foritiswonderful toknowthepotentialofyourvoice,tousethepowerofthevoicethroughsong& poetryandawakenthelifeiforceofthethroatchakra.thisvibrantchakraenergyis thehomeoftheakashicrecorded,theancientlibraryofknowledgeandreservoirof manycreativegifts. Itisthroughthepracticeofthevariousformsofyoga,breath,mantra,voice,dance, musicandartthattheselatent,dormantenergycentersalongourspinalcolumn begintoawaken.thelotuspetalsofthechakrasemergeintothelightandthus awakenedfromthedarknessofthesubiconsciousmind.inthisawakeningonefeels thevitalityofthepraniclifeiforceflowingthroughthem.onebeginstofeel motivated,energized,confident,courageousandcurious.inactivatingthechakra energiesonebeginsthejourneyofreiunitingwiththeirinnerteacher,leader,artist andcreatorkundaliniishaktiawakensandthecreativepotentialandbeautyofthe universeisrevealedomnamahkundalini Backtomyloveofyoga,throughmyownselfIstudyprogramsIhavebeengrateful toresearchtheteachingsofharishjohari,hiroshimotoyama,anodeajudith,dr. JohnMumford,DavidCoulter,B.K.S.Iyengar,MukundaStiles.EstherMyers,Godfrey Devereux,ErichSchiffman,PatriciaWalden/LindaSparrow,BerylBenderand others. IntheworldofyogaphilosophyIhavebeeninfluencedbytheteachingsofSwami VishnuDevananda,SwamiSivananda,EkathEaswaran,HazratInayatKhan,Swami

6 SivanandaRadha.SirJohnWoodroffe,RammuriS.Mushra,DavidFrawleyand GeorgeFeuersteintonameafew. Intheworldofthe sacredpowerofsound Ihavebeentrulyinspiredbythe research&writingsofdavidtame,dr.alfrewtomatis,swamisivanandaradhe, FabianMaman,LaurelElizabethKeyes,ThomasAshelyFarrand,DonCampbell, RobertGass,JonathanGoldman,EknathEaswaran,HazratInayatKhanandothers. Gratitudegoesouttoaloftheseauthorsandteachersdedicatedtospreadingthe knowledgeofyoga,meditation,mantra,soundandvibration.iamforevergrateful. IthasbeenagreathonorandeducationalexperiencetocollaboratewithDavidon thewritingofthisyogabook.theteachingsareinfiniteonmanylevels. IamdeeplygratefultoDavid&histeachersforsharingthissystemofChakraYoga withmeandallthestudentswhohavejoinedusonthisspiritualpath.wearetruly fortunatetolearnthesemysticalteachingsofindia Dhanyavad OMShanti Marina Foreword,by,David, WhenIbeganmyjourneyintoyogaIknewofnooneinmyenvironment,friendsor family,whohadheardofsuchathing.ijusthappenedtofindabookaboutitinthe locallibraryinnorthbay,ontario,inthepsychologysection:completeillustrated BookofYogabySwamiVishnuDevananda.Ihadakeeninteresttoexplorethe mind,soilookedforrelatedinformationinthatsection.littledidiknowwherethis firstbookwouldleadme.igainedaninterestfromit,oratleastacuriosity.inthat librarybookifoundmanytechniquestoimprovethefunctioningofthemind throughphysicalexercise,aswellastopromotebetterhealth.therewerealso statementsaboutbetterperceptionandhigherstatesofconsciousness,thoughat thetimeireallydidnotknowwhattheauthormeantbythat.somemonthslateri begantravelingandboughtmyfirstsmallbookonthepracticalexercises,orhatha Yoga.Thusbeganthreedecadesofexperienceandresearch.Icertainlydidn trealize whenifirststarteddoingafewexercises,in1969,thatihadstumbleduponthe oldest science ontheplanet;ididn tevenknowitwasscience. Thebasicsweresimpleenough,abitofexerciseandsomebreathing.Insomeways itwaslikelookingatthefirsttwolettersofthealphabet;ihadnoideatherewasa wholealphabettofollow.iwascomingfromadifferentculture.inmywestern culture,exercisewasacceptableandcleanlinesswasconnectedtoheath,butthis elaboratesystemseemedalittleextreme.thereweresomestrangethingsinthis yogabook.forinstance,therewerepicturesofamanpassingastringuponenostril

7 anddownthroughthemouth,tocleanthenasalpassages;anotherpictureshowed himswallowinga30ifootstripofragandpullingitoutagain,tocleanhisstomach anddigestivetract.ifoundthistypeofinternalcleanlinessalittlefarifetched.idid notthinkiwouldeverwanttodothat,andineverdid.however,therewereother aspectsofthisyogamethodthatdidcapturemyattention,liketheconceptofperfect healthanddevelopingmentalabilities. QuiteinnocentlyIenteredthisrealmwithmycuriosityinonehandandmy pioneeringspiritintheother.ididhaveaninterestinimprovingmyhealthsincei hadaweakheartconditionperhapsinheritedfrommyfather(hehaddiedofaheart attack).thisdysfunctionwasobviouswheneverididhardworkorstrenuous exercise.ididnotfindtheproblemsurfacingwhenididthegentlyexercisesinthe yogabook.infact,isoondiscoveredthatthese exercises donewiththephysical bodyfeltgoodanddidindeedhaveaneffectonthemind,aninterestingfactthat mademeevermorecurious. ThiscuriosityledmetoIndiain1971,tofindoutmoreaboutthesestatesofmind. Butastheconnectionbetweenbodyandmindbecameevermorecomplexand detailed,ifoundmyselfresearchingfurtherandfurtherintothephenomenonof energyitself thelinkbetweenbodyandmind.theyogicperspectiveinindiaheld averyrefinedanddetailedviewofthenervesasawiringsystemwhicheverypart ofthebodywaspluggedinto.thesenervescarriedtheenergyimpulsesbetweenthe brainandtheentirebody.tomethiswaslikeaschematicdiagramgivingusan indicationofhowweactuallyfunctioned. PerhapsIfoundthistobeinterestingbecauseofmypreviouseducation.Having finalizedmyhighschooleducationwithmath,chemistryandphysics,andwith electronicsandstereosasmyfavoritehobby,thiswholeideaoftheelectricalenergy sideofourbeingmadealotofsensetome.mostofman slatestcreationswere electronic,whilehehimselfalsohadanelectronicpart.this part isasobviousas thenervoussystem anelaboratewiringsystemthatiscontinuouslyconducting energyimpulsesbetweenthebrainandeverypartofourphysicalbodies.itseemed tomethatgaininganunderstandingofhowwewerewiredcouldleadustosome interestingplaces.igottheimpressionthatthenervoussystemanditsmental effectshadalreadybeenlargelymappedoutintheeast,whileeverythingihadread intheworldofwesternpsychologyseemedprimitiveinthisregard,althoughthis wiring aspectofthenervoussystemwasabitdocumented.theresearchthati couldfindwasstilldirectedatratsandattemptstomodifytheirbehaviors.ihadthe feelinglittlewasknownaboutthehumanbrain,whilethephenomenonofthemind hardlyreceivedanymention;infactthewesternconceptmadenodistinction betweenbrainandmindatthattime. Meanwhile,physicsandchemistryhadmergedinmymind(astheyhaveinscience bynowtoformnuclearphysics).inthisnewmergerthekeyelementseemedtobe energy,yetintheexplorationofthisenergytheredidnotseemtobeaclearpicture ofwhatitwas.addtothiswhatiwasreadinginresearchbookslikebertrand

8 Russel s TheABCofReality,onthespaceItimerelationandhoweverythingwas indeedrelativetothepositionandvelocityoftheobserver itallbroughtmetothe pointonwonderingjustwhatthisquantumrealityconsistedof.therewerealotof theoriesaboutitbutnoonereallyknew,andthebestofthe scientists alsocarried thisimpendingquestionmark Ifoundmyselftraveling,mycuriositydirectingmetofindoutmoreaboutthe mysteriousmagicalmethodsthatapparentlycouldleadpeopletograspthetruth about mindovermatter. Iwasquitefortunateinmytravels,inthateverythingworkedoutfairlywellandI neverhadany bad experiences.idon tmeantosaytherewerenochallenging times,butimetalotofgoodandhelpfulpeoplealongmyjourney.withinthefirst monthsofmysolojourneyiconnectedwithsomepeopleoflikemindinmexico, whoinvitedmetostaywiththem.theyhadaparadisevillaincuernavacaandwere allinterestedinyoga,sowesoonbecamefriends.eachmorningthesunwouldrise andshineontothefrontlawntofindusbreathingdeeplyanddoingpostures.half thedaywouldbespenttalkingaboutthephilosophyoftheeastandreligionsofthe world.theexperiencecreatedanicebondofkinshipamongstus.formeitwasthe firstoccurrenceofbeingwithagroupoffriendsicouldfullyrelatewith. AfteramonthoflivinginthisheartIwarmingenvironment,Icontinuedalongmy solojourney,butikeptmeetingfolkswhowereonsimilarpaths,exploringthe worldandlookingforphilosophicalidealism.thereweremanycoincidencesof meetingtherightpeopleattherighttime.ileanedtoenjoyencounteringfriends withwhomtosharespiritualexperiencesandworldlyadventures. AsIwentthroughtheOrientImetmorefriendsfromdifferentcultures,who exposedmetoavarietyofspiritualideas.injapanispentafewmonthsstudying Buddhism,learningtocalmmymindsothatIcouldmeditate.ThatiswhereIfirst realizedthatconsciousnesswasseparatefrommind anawakeningdiscoveryfor me.inthailandiwanderedabitwiththeyoungmonkswhohadinvitedmetojoin them.withabeggingbowlinhand,ifollowedtheirsimplelifestyle,enjoyingrural lifeandcontemplatingtheworkingsofthemind. BythetimeIreachedIndiaIhadmoreorlessbecomeamonkmyself.Afterayearof beingontheroad,observingallthesightsonecouldimagine,myeyeshadseen enoughoftheouterworld.iwasfirmlyestablishedinmyyogapracticeandhad gleanedsomewonderfulmeditationaltechniquesfrommybuddhistfriends.nowi justwantedtogoinward.iwantedtoknowmoreabouttheinnerworldandthe chakrasthatwerereferredtoinsomanybooks.whatwasthisphenomenonall about? IhadsharedaroomattheYMCAinMalaysiawithaHindumanfromIndia.This gentlemanwasabrahmin(priestlycaste),wellversedinthephilosophiesofindia

9 andyoga.hepracticedyogaeverydayandhadbeendoingsoforyears.wespent manyhoursdiscussingallsortsofspiritualidealsthathadrecentlybeenawakened inme.duringourweektogetherheshowedmehowtogetupintotheheadstand, amongstotherthings.heassuredmewhenwepartedthatiwouldhavenoproblem findingmy guru, mentioningsomethingihadreadinyogananda swritings: When thestudentisready,theteacherappears. ThecoincidencefactorIhadbegun observingearlierhadevolvedintomysticalsynchronicityforme,especiallyinthe peopleiwasmeetingalongmypath.thishinduroommateandfriendwasonmy teachers.atthispointitfelttomeliketherewasanoverallintelligencemakingthe connectionsineedandsettingthetimesforthemeetings. SomeoneelsealongmyjourneyhadmentionedPondicherryasareallyniceplaceto goinindia.withthatinmindiheadedsouthfromcalcutta,whereihadlanded.in MadrasIboardedabusforPondicherry,andinsteppedTeresa,whosatinfrontof meandsaid Hi,whereareyougoing? TeresahadcometoIndiatovisithersisterBarbara,whohadbeenstudyingwitha yogamasterinpondicherryforacoupleofyears.shesuggestedthaticomealong. Arrivingattheashram,weweregreetedwitharoyalwelcomeanditsoonbecame clearthatbarbarawasmoreinvolvedthanastudent.shelivedinthemaster ssuite, wasnotcalledmeenakshi,andworkedashissecretary.wereceivedthiswarmand intimatewelcomeasaresult,withagreatdinnerandalengthyeveninggetting acquainted.formeitwasawonderfulopportunitytomakeaconnectionwiththis teacherandfindoutabouthisteachings. Theashram,calledAnanda%Shramwitha40Iplusstudents,wasatthebeginningof thesecondsemesterofasiximonthteachers training.iwasinvitedtojoin.ididso, andduringmystayiwassoimpressedwiththequalityandquantityofinformation andpracticeonyogathaticamebackinthefalltodothefullsiximonthtraining. SwamiGitanandahadstudiedyogainhisteenageyearswithRamGropal Muzumdar,whoisreferredtoinYogananda sautobiographyofayogias the SleeplessSaint. InhislateteenshewentontoEnglandtostudymedicine.Eitherhis motherorfather(idon trecallwhich)wasbritish,sohehadtheopportunitytogo tocollegeinthatcountry.hismedicalcareerwentfromtheretocanadaandtheu.s. spanning38years.iheardmanyinterestingstoriesaboutwhatwasreallygoingon inthemedicalestablishment,someofwhichsurprisesmeatthetime,butsincethen Ihavecometoseetherealityofwhathesaid.Theresultofhisyearsofexperience asadoctorandsurgeonledhimtotheconclusionthatwesternmedicinehadno longitermpositiveeffects.consequently,hereturnedtoindiainordertoteach peoplehowtlivehealthyliveswithaspiritualpurpose. AtthetimeIarrived,hehadonlybeenthereacoupleofyears,buthehadmanaged toestablishavery happening ashram.theatmospherewasbustlingwithactivity; over40studentswereinthefullitimeresidentialcurriculumandseveralothers

10 werecominginasguestsforaperiodofafewdaystoaweek.swamihimselftaught eighthoursofclasseseachday,sevendaysaweek,exceptthursdayafternoons whenwehadtimeofftolookafterpersonalbusiness.thecoursewasintenseby anyone sstandards.hemadeitmoresothatterm,byextendingitforonefull month.also,thatsemesterwastheonlytimethatiknowofwhenhetaughtthefull courseonyantra-yoga.hedroppeditthefollowingyear.whatheaddedinthat year,however,wasaseriesofdiscoursesonthechakras.again,thisprovedtobea oneitimeeventthatheneverrepeated.someofusadvancedstudentspromptedhim todothis,andwerecordedeverylecture.afterwards,itookthetapesandspentmy sparetimeduringthenextmonthtranscribingthetapes.thenotediassimilatedat hattimebecamethefoundationformyresearchontheenergyworldofthechakras, anexplorationthatisstillexpandingmyinnervision30yearslater. Swami%Gitanandawasabrilliant oratorandaveryinspiring teacher,alwaysadynamoof energy,whoboundedupthestairs toourrooftopclassroominsucha wayastostireveryoneupwithhis radiance.withhisstorytelling abilitieshissenseofhumor,he keptusallwellentertained.when wewerenotbeingentertainedby hiswords,wewerebusy practicingthemultitudeofthings wehadlearned.forme,this experienceofbeingintensely involvedinthepracticeofyogafor somanyconsecutivemonths createdalifestylethatsimply becamepartofme.iamforever gratefulforthatgift.thewealth anddepthofhisknowledgeof yogawasencyclopedic itcoveredsuchawiderangeofthevariousaspectsofthis sciencethatihavenotsincefoundanythinglikeitinmystudies. Thatfirstyearattheashram,theYantrayear,therewasanotherdoctorwhocame everydaytoteachhomeopathy.dr.ganapathywashisname.onlyaboutadozen studentstookthecourse.ididnotbecauseitwashalfoverwheniarrived,butidid gettoknowhimasateacher.acoupleoftheotherstudents,teresaandi,became friendswithhimaftertheteachers training,whenalltheotherstudentshadleft.he wasfullofgoodphilosophicaladviceonhowtoliveaspirituallife,very knowledgeableonherbs,and,aswefoundoutthroughthegrapevine,quiteanadept athealingthroughtouch.igottoverifythelatterwhendr.ganapathyputthefinal

11 touchonhealingmyheartproblemoneday.hequiteliterallytouchedmyribcage, justnearmyheart,andkepthisfingersthereforwhatseemedlikeonewhole minute.meanwhilehewastalkingaboutcompassionateliving throughreaching outtopeopleinneedandhelpingtheminwhicheverwayswereappropriate.i noticedthedramaticchangeinmyconditionafewminuteslaterwheniwent runninguptwoflightsofstairstogetsomething,andfeltempoweredatthetopof thestairs,ratherthanmyusualheartpalpitations. Thesetwodoctorsweretheteacherswhoinitiatedmeintotheancientwondersof yoga,healthandhealingduringmyfirstfewmonthsinindia.inthemonthsthat followed,itravelledaroundthecountryasasaddhu,awanderingmonk,stayingin templesandminglingwiththosewhohadrenouncedtheworldforthespiritual path.itwasduringthatperiodoftravelthatimetprakash,amanwithanamethat translatesasgod slight.thoughimetmanypeoplewhohadsomethingtoteachme throughoutthistime,icansaythatomwasoneofthethreeprincipalteacherswho contributedtomytransformation.ispentoneweekwithhimandhisfamilyupin theirhimalayanhome,duringwhichtimeheofferedmehismeditationroomand oftengavemeadviceonwhatwasimportanttopracticeandwhattoteachornot teach.thisenlightenedgentlemanalwayspossessedanauraofserenity,butwhen impressedmedeeplywashisvision.hecouldscanthroughyoutopastlifetimes, andletyouseewhathewasseeing.mytimewithomwasnotfilledwithteachings andtechniques,butratherlikeanexpansionofmindandconsciousnessthat allowedmetoseethegreaterpictureofwhoiwas,hadbeen,andwasgoingtobe. ThissummarizesmyencounterswithsomeofthemastersofIndia.Thenext significantphaseofmyeducationcamethefollowingyearwhenibeganlivingin GuatemalaandMexico.Iwasstillawanderingmonk,apennilessmonkinfact,asis thetraditioninindia,butnowexploringtheoldruinsofthemayancivilizationfrom PalenquetotheYucatan.WithintheeruinsIkeptfindingicons,statuesandsymbols thatremindedmeofindia.inoneoftheoldtemplesifoundalifeisizestatueof ShivawiththefiveIheadedcobrarisingupoverthehead.ThismyfriendDonandI discoveredinanundergroundareaofthetemplethatwasclosedtothepublic.we werethereat5a.m.withflashlights,andtherewasnoonetheretostopusfrom exploring.wewerealsofindingmandalasymbolsofthechakrasinavarietyof placesandcontexts.whiletheserpentkundalinikeptraisingitsheadeverywhere. Notonlydidtheserpentraiseitshead,buthereithadwings,asifitwereaflying serpent.obviously,kundaliniwasonceawakeinthispartoftheworld.aswell,little iconsofpeopleindifferentposturesthatwereveryyogailikecouldbepurchased fromsomeofthelocals)oftenillegally,sincetheyhadbeenfoundduring excavationsandwerenotsupposedtobesold). ThefamiliarityofallthesethingsmademefeeltherewasanoldIndiaburiedhere, andwewerejustseeingsomeofwhatwascominguptothesurface.eventhe structureofthetempletowerslookedthesameasinindia.thefollowingyeari mademywaytotikalandfoundwhatirecognizedasasouthindiantemple,still halfburiedintheguatemalanjungle.tomethiswasthefinalproofthattheancient

12 systemofyogaandthechakrashadbeenhere.itwasstillhere.ihadbeenlivingin Guatemalaforacoupleofwintersbythenandhadspenttimeobservingthewaysof the brujos, thelocalshamans.theyhadalotofchantinganddrummingrituals similartothesadhusofindia.whatstruckmethemostwastheirbrightjackets embroideredwiththosesamechakramandalasthatkeptresurfacing. ThiswastheperiodduringwhichIwaspaintingmandalasmyself,whilereading booksaboutancientnativecultures.bookslikeburning-watersbylaurette Sejourne,andSeven-ArrowsbyHyemeyohstsStorm,wereprovidingfurther inspirationaboutanunderlyingperennialphilosophythatwasbondingallthese cultures.thatphilosophyexplainedtheuniversalenergyofthechakras,theenergy whichweavesthefabricoftheworldasweperceiveit.themoredeeplyilooked intoit,themoreapparentitbecamethatbeneaththesurfaceofthesebeliefsystems fromseparatecultureslaytheunderstandingoftheenergyworldandits manifestationintomatter. AlmostadecadelaterIfinallymadeittoEgypt,againforthepurposeofexploring whattheyknewaboutyogaandthechakras.althoughmuchofwhatifoundin CentralAmericawascodedinsymbolismthatrequiresabackgroundinYantrato decipher,egyptrequiredalotlessinterpretation.manyoftheclassicposturesof HathaYogaarecarvedinstone.InthemuseumatLuxor,forexample,youcansee QueenNefertitiandherdancersinawholevarietyofclassicalasanas.Thereisa statuteofkingtutsittinginthehalfilotuswithascrollinonehand,hisotherhand heldinamudrapositionusuallydemonstratedbybuddhaorthehindudeities.this issaidtobeinhisstudentyears;sowhatwashestudying?oneofthefavoritethings hewasburiedwithwasagolden,twoiandiaihalficoiledcobraiikundalinistrikes again.thisserpentiseverywhereinegypt;thesevenchakrasareinmosttemples, andthelittlepyramidihadseeninahinduversionofthefirstchakraishereblown skyihigh. IntheTemplesofAngkorWatinCambodia,whichMarinaandIvisitedduringthe winterof2001,wefoundtheserpenttobewovenintothefabricofvirtuallyevery wallandwallway.noonedoubtsthestronghinduinfluencethatinspiredthe originaltemples.forthosewhounderstandyogaandtheenergyworldofthe chakras,thewholeareacanbeseenastheexpressionofaculturewhichlivedto awakenallthedormantforceswithinusanddevelopfullhumanpotential. Itisnotwithinthescopeofthistexttogointoallthedetailsofmy/ourresearch. However,Iwanttohighlightmyelectricperspectiveonyoga.Ihaveobservedthat thiswonderfulscienceoftheenergyworldisbasedonauniversalrealitythatgoes beyondanyoneculture. Ithasbeenalongandinterestingstudy,andafter30yearsIcansaythat mystical yogaturnsouttobemuchmorescientificthanmostofthe sciences ofthewest. Becauseofmyexperienceswithhighschoolscience,whichtaughtwhat science and scientific meant,icouldclearlyseethelogicinthisyogicapproach.for

13 instance,intheclassicalscientificexperimentyouneedanobjective,amethodto demonstratethatobjective,andthenyoumustobservewhathappenswhenyou applythesemethods.afteracertainamountofobservationoftheresults,youcan drawconclusionsaboutwhatisgoingonduringthisexperiment. Withyogatheexperimentisperformedonyourownbodyandmind.You,the practitioner,mustbecomethescientist,performingtheexperimentswithposture, movement,breath,diet,concentration,visualization,sound,andavarietyof techniquesoveranextendedperiodoftime.youmustcarefullyobservetheresults ofwhatyouaredoingatthephysical,emotional,mentalandspirituallevelsover thattimeperiod.then,andonlythen,canyoudrawconclusionsaboutwhataffects thebody,feelings,mindandspirit,andjustwhatthoseeffectsare.youlearnthis fromyourownexperiences,andalthoughthisisconsideredsubjectiveratherthan purelyobjective,itisvalidforeachindividual.yogaisaverypersonalexperience, onethateachindividualneedstogothroughonthepathtoenlightenment.don t worrytoomuchaboutgettingtothatfinalenlightenedstateeither,asyouwillfind thatwiththepractice,theinnerlightsimplybecomesprogressivelybrighter,asthe outworldbecomesmorecolorful. Marinacametosomeofmyclassesasastudentin1995,andfoundtheteachings aboutthechakrasandmyartworkontheinnervisionfascinating.seeingthevalue ofmyresearchandbecominginspiredwithbreathandherownvision,shedecided tosharethiswithmorepeople.shehassincebecomemypartnerinongoingstudies andresearchinthisincrediblescience.sincethattimewehavebeenformulating andshapingthechakrayogateacher strainingsoastogivestudentsadeep insightintothevastenergyworldofthechakrasandtopresentagoodcourseon thewhole ScienceofYoga.Togetherweteachotherstodiscoverthemselvesand learn,throughthepracticeofallformsofyoga.marina sperceptionandattentionto detailhavegreatlyhelpedtomoldthematerialintogoodform,andherdynamics socialenthusiasmhavebroughtpublicawarenesstothisvaluablescience.

14 Introduction, Samkhya,Philosophy fromconsciousnesstomindtoenergytomatter. Beforewediveintotheexperience,letuslookatwhatthisintegratedsystem involves.thescienceofyogalaysoutaviewoftheuniversethatisassystematicas itiscomplete.thefirststatementthatviewrevealsthatthematerialcreationin whichwearelivingiscomposedofenergyinavarietyofforms.theformsarewhat oursensesperceiveasobjectswhenweexperiencetheworld;itissortoflike objectsmoldedoutofclay,buttheclayisenergy. Tomanyancientculturesthefundamentalenergywascomposedoffiveelemental forces.these elements camedownthroughthegreekintoeuropeanalchemyas Earth,Water,Fire,AirandEther.Thoughtheconceptof element became misunderstoodduringthedarkages,andremainedmisunderstoodupuntiltheage ofquantumphysics,scientistsarenowtryingtoreiformulatethisenergyconcept andrelateittothemanyelementsofsolidmatterthatweseeintheworld.manyof theearlygreeks,likeplato,traveledtothebes,egypt,wheretheystudiedaboutthe energyphenomenonanditsdivisionintheelements,or,elementalforces.these elements wereknowntobethebuildingblocksoftheuniverse.asthisknowledge spreadthrougheuropeinlatercenturiesitwaskeptamongsttheshamans,witches, wizards,andthosewhowereknownasalchemists. Thencamethedarkages,atimewhenallsuchinformationwasconsideredtocome fromthedevil(accordingtothechurchfathers).shamansandwitcheswereburned atthestake,wizardsdisappeared,andalchemistsbecamechemists.thislastgroup, the chemists, weresteeredintotherealmofsolidmatter,wheretheelements becamephysicalsubstances,andcombiningthemsoastoproducehealing medicine wasacceptable,aswerecombinationssuchasgunpowder.thesewere allrealandtangible,nothingmagicaboutthem.theenergyaspectoftheelemental

15 forcewaslosttomany,andheldwithincertainsecretsocietieslikethefreemasons, andofcoursethechurchwhichwantedtobethesoleproprietorofanysuch information.theoriginalknowledgedidremaininculturessuchasthehindu cultureinindiaandintibet,aswellasamongtheshamansofcentralamerica(etc.), whereitisstatedintheirmostancienttextsthat everything,is,made,of,energy. WhenIfirstdiscoveredthesetextsIwasbaffledbyallthedifferenttermsthatwere utilizedtodescribeenergy.thesewordswereinsanskrit,ofcourse,astherewere noenglishequivalents.termslikeprana,prakritiandshaktiallremainedinthese translations.throughyearsofstudies,ihavedevelopedamuchdeeper understandingofwhatthosetermsmeanandwhatthoseenergiesare.muchofwhat Ihaveleanedcomesfrompersonalexperiencewiththeforcesthemselves,yetI appreciatehavinghadthesetextstorefertoasdescriptivemapsofwhereiwasin myjourney.insomewaystheseancientreferencemanualsremindmeofa schematicrepairman sbookforatelevisionset,showingexactlyhowtheenergy flowsinafunctionalunit.yettheunitishuman,notelectronic.thereis,however,a parallelthatcannotbedenied. InthisbookIwillattempttoexplainwhatIhavelearnedabouttheenergyworld andhowitrelatesto,infactcondensesinto,thehumanform.fortunately,wearein ascientificageandmosteveryonehassomeunderstandingofenergy.iwillsimply beelaboratingonthemanyformsthatthisenergybecomes.forexample,letustake sunlightasoutbasicenergyandpassitthroughaprism;theresultisawhilearray ofcolors,eachuniqueyetunitedinarainbow. Intheancientcultures,universalenergy(includingsunlight)wasseparatedintoits differentcolorsorfrequencies,andobservationsweremadeonthevarious

16 characteristicsofeach.whatkindofprismorcrystaltheyusedicannonsayfor sure,butidoknowthattheirmostsophisticatedtollwasthemind.withthis instrument,andalotoftime,theyanalyzedtheenergyworlduntiltheyhadseen, heardandunderstood,thewholepicture. Partofthatpicturehascomedowntousintheconceptofchakras(Sanskritfor wheels ).Thesechakrasarevortexesofenergywhichradiatethecolorsofthe rainbow.intheirunifiedstatetheyblendintoonewhitelight.thisunifyingpointis referredtoastheseventhchakra,amajorenergyvortexthatcontainstheothers withinit.ontheothersideoftheprismarethecomponentenergies,colorsand frequencies,whichmakeupthe real worldinwhichwelive.thesevibrational vortexesbecomethe energycenters alongthespinethatarereferredtoasthe Shat%Chakras(thesixbodychakras)intheyogasystem.IntheageIoldsystemofthe chakrasthevariousratesofvibrationwereknowntobehaveasdifferentenergies, eachcreatingandmanifestinguniquecharacteristics. Inmoderntimes,colorsareknowntobedifferentfrequenciesofvibrating electromagneticenergy.quantumphysicsresearchhasledtotheconceptofvarious forces workinginbalancetocreatethebuildingblocksoftheperceivedphysical world.theforcesatplay(orwork)atthesubiatomiclevelarealsotheenergiesthat manifestonagreaterscalethroughouttheuniverseandcanlikewisebefound withinourbodies.thisenergeticpowerisknownasprakritiinthesanskrit language. The,Basic,Chakra,Energies, TheAncientMysticsofmostcultureshavealwaysconsideredourperceived reality tobeamereappearance.understandingtheenergyfromwhichtheapparentforms weremadewasthegoaloflife,andbroughtthestudenttoastateofenlightenment. Withthisperspectiveinmind,thisbookwillexplainsomeofthebasictheoriesand techniquesusedbytheseancientculturestoobtaingreaterinsightintothe energeticfoundationsofmanifestreality. EachvortexofenergycontributesspecificcharacteristicstothelifeIformsweview onearth.whatappearstooureyesasreal,doessobecausewecannotseethe substanceofwhichitismadewithoutapowerfulmicroscope.ifyoulookatyour handthroughanelectronmicroscope,younolongerseeahandbutratheraseaof vibrantdotsthatarequitefarapartfromeachother.althoughmostlyemptyspace, yourhandlooksquitesolidwithoutaidfromthemicroscope. Underneaththeappearancewefindtheenergyforcewhichcreatestheillusionof solidmatter,atypeofforcethatholdsthepartsoftheatomtogether ifimayuse

17 suchanantiquatedtermasthe atom. Inyogathisforcecreatesthefirstelement, earth,andmovesthroughthemuladhara,chakra. Thesecondmanifestationoftheenergyisaweaker,cohesiveforcethatholdsthe atomstogetherincombinationssuchash2o.itisamoreflexiblearrangementthat canbechanged,asinchemicalreactions,andmoved,asinfluids.thisisthe characterofthesecondelement water,whichcorrespondstotheswadhistana, Chakra. Thethirdformofenergycomesasfire,aforcethatsparkschangeand transformationinthemoresolid reality. Thissolarpoweristheradiantpartof naturethatweseeandfeelaslightandheat.itmanifeststhethirdelement,fire, whichexpressesitselfthroughthemanipura,chakra. Thenextphenomenonofenergyisagentlerforce,noteasilyseenorfelt,thatpushes apartthemoleculesintheairwebreathe.althoughmuchsubtlerthantheother forces,itdoestakeupspace,aswhenitfillsupourlungsoraballoon.thisisthe fourthelement,air,expressedinanahata,chakra. Thefirstenergy,evensubtlerthanthefourth,cannotbeseenortouched,tastedor smelled,butitcanbeheard.itistheenergyofvibration,theforcethatmakesand spreadssoundoutwardatathousandkilometersperhour,andthatwhichspreads lightwavesacrosstheuniverse(atthespeedoflightofcourse).thisvibratoryforce makesupthefifthelement,ether,(whichcouldmoreappropriatelybecalled electromagnetisminthiscentury),andrelatestovishuddha,chakra. InfactitcanbeverymisleadingtorefertotheelemtnsbytheirEnglishtranslations. Theveryword elemtn isnotevenappropriate.peoplehavemistakenlyassumed sincemedievaltimesthattheseelementswerephysicalentities.scienceintis developmenthadproventhatthereweremanymoreelementsinthephysical constitiutionoftheuniverse,nowscienceiscomingfullcircletoseethatallofthese physicalelementsaremadeupofamorefundamentalenergyindifferentquantities andconfigurations.whilemodernscienceisgrapplingwithhowmanytypesof energythereare,theoldestsciencehasalwaysmaintainedthereareonlysix essentialmanifestationsofenergy.thesecameotbeknowas theelements tothe Greeks,andfromGreecetolaterEurope,butsomewherealongthelinthe understandingthatthesewereelemtntalforceswaslost.asalchemistsbecame chamists,theyrealitystartedlookingforphysicalelements,whentheforcesnever werephysical.theywereoriginallyanexplainationoftheenergiesthatmakeup realityandtheystillare.besidesthefivethatcametobehighlightedinthe Europeanaristocracy,therewasonemoreelementthatwasimportantintheEast theelementofmind.thematerialistswhowerelookingforsolidevidenceofthee elemetnsmusthavediscardedthisone.evennowthemedicalorscientific commuintiydoesnotconsideritasanythingtangibleorreal.yet,asonoftheforces wehavebeendiscussing,itisthemagneticenergywhichpermeateseverything.it

18 maynotbeperceivabletooursenses,buttodaywecannotdenyitexists.it expressesitselfthroughthesixth,ajna,chakra. Microscopic,View, Nowwecanlookmorecloselyathowthesevariousenergeticforcesfunctionto createlifeinthisrealm.myresearchintotheseforcestookmethroughafew differentculturesovertheyears,andiwillbedrawingontheinformationifoundin thosecultures.thebasisofwhatilearnedaboutthebodyanditsphysiological connectionstothechakrascamefromindia,throughmyteacherdr.swami Gitananda.Also,Ileanedthattherewerepsychologicalcharacteristicsattributedto each.fromthemayanculture,igatheredinformationandexpandedmyviewof theseattributes.theirplacementofthechakrasinthecardinaldirections,in additiontothedirectionsaboveandbelow,orientedtheenergiesverywell. Descriptionsofjourneysundergoneintheindividualdirectionspaintedelaborate picturesoftheexperiencesweneedtohaveinordertodevelopthosechakras.the EgyptianPharaohsontheotherhandknewhowtomoveandunitetheenergies, creatingoneforcethatwasusedtogovernanddirectthenation.thesecultureshad acommonview,andaneducation,aimedatunderstandingthemselves. Thepicturethatunfoldsisoneofthewholehumanbeing:mind,bodyandenergy awholenessdiscoveredbyone sownintrospectionsothatitstruthcanbeseenin thelightofone sownexperience.otherwiseitmayjustremainanintellectual theory,andtheinnertruthmightwellbelostforyetanotherlifetime. Fromthequantumlevelofenergy,yogastepsdownintothebodytoseewhichpart ofthenervoussystemisinfluencedbyeachenergyfield.itthenlooksatwhichparts ofthemindandbodyareconnectedtothedivisionofthesystem.this look goes rightdowntothemoleculardetailsofbodyandbrainchemistry,sothatwemay developanunderstandingofhowenergybecomescodedintoour physical being. Infactonebeginstorealizethatourphysicalbeingismadeupofalltheenergies.As Imentionedpreviously,thisunderstandingcomesfromactuallyfeelingthedifferent energies.theyshouldbeexperiencedratherthantheorizedabout. Fromthisexperientialperspectivetheenergiescanbeadjusted,balanced,amplified, toneddownandshiftedasnecessary,andthisreshapingbringsabouttheresulting changesinourphysicalbodies.thisenergeticadjustmentinstigatesawholeprocess ofrejuvenationforourorgans,glandsandcells,rightdowntothechromosomesand molecularstructure,andisaccomplishedthroughthepracticeofyoga,usingbreath, movement,sound,meditation,etc.thepracticalapplicationofthescienceofyoga bringsustoexperiencetheenergyontheinside,withinouressentialcore. HerewecometowhatusedtobeafundamentaldifferencebetweenEasternand Westernphilosophy.BackinthedayswhenIwasfinishinghighschool,Iwastaught thatmindandconsciousnessdevelopedorevolvedoutofmaterialsubstances,a

19 contradictoryviewfromeasternphilosophy.accordingtoeasternteachings, consciousnessexistsasauniversal(spiritual)reality,apureawarenessthathas intelligentawarenessofitsownexistence.itmanifests,throughvibration,as electromagneticenergy,tobecometheuniverseinitsmaterialform.intelligent awarenessthenevolvesperceptionandsensestoexperienceitsownselficreation. Weashumansaretheperceiversoftheuniverse adivinemanifestation.inthe ancienttextsknownasthevedas,writtenbyindiansagesthousandsofyearsago, thisphilosophicalconceptisexplainedtimeandtimeagain.therehavebeen subsequentcommentarieswrittenaboutthesetextsdownthroughtheages.the viewexpressedthereinhasbecomeknownassamkhyaphilosophy,theunderlying principleofyogaforthousandsofyears.lookingatthestructureoftheuniverse throughthelensofsamkhyagivesusakindofschemeofenergyflow,fromits sourceinconsciousnesstoitsdestinyinsolidmatter.consciousnessinthiscontext ispureawarenessofbeing.theuniverseisawareof Being,onalargescale,and thisawarenessisatthecenterofeverything.we,asverylittlepartsofthatuniverse, havesmallpiecesofthatawareness,whichgivesusindividualperceptionof ourselves.

20 Asthisuniversalconsciousnessbeginstovibrateitbecomesacosmicenergy substancecalledprakriti.inmoderntechnology,thisinfiniteenergyfieldisknown astheelectromagneticocean.itcontainswithiniteveryaspectoftheenergyworld, fromthesmallestquantumtothelargestgalaxy.thewayinwhichitvibrates demonstratesintelligenceandorder whichwemightcallmindonthebigscale, (UniversalMind,calledBuddhiinSanskrit).Oneofthefunctionsofmindisthatof imagination,andontheuniversalscaleitbecomesthecreatorthatmanifeststhe world,kindoflikethedreamweaver.mindthenwordsthroughthatdreamto developthesenseofperception:hearing,feeling,seeing,tastingandsmelling, throughwhichawarenesscanexperiencelifeasithasbeencreated.whenwehear vibrationwecallitsound(music,voice,thunder,etc.).whenweseethevibration wecallitsight(yellow,bright,round,etc.).whenwetasteitwecallitflavor(sweet, salty,etc.),andwhenwesmellitwecallitscent,fromrosestocoffee.theseareall thewaysinwhichconsciousnessperceivesthevibratingenergyfield,andofcourse italloccursthroughthemind.inordertocompletevisiblemanifestationthere needstobeawaytointeractwiththesensesofperception.todoso,fiveorgansof actionareadded:thefeet,hands,organsofelimination,organsofprocreations,and voice.bythetimeallthisisdonewearewelloutinthematerialworldandusually outoftouchwithwhereourawarenessoriginated.thereisatypeofnaturalbarrier, calledahamkarainsanskrit,thatkeepsuspreoccupiedinourmindstuffandthe experiencesoftheworldsothatwedon ttendtolookinwardtothebuddhi.this createsthesenseofindividualegothatmakesusfeelseparatefromtherestof manifestedcreation. Bringingourawarenessbacktothatinnerrealization,toaplacewherewecan experiencetheonevibratingenergyfieldoftheuniversalreality,isthegoalofyoga. Toattainthatgoal,manymethodsandtechniquesweredevelopedoverthe centuries.asaresult,yogabecameanelaboratesciencethatconsideredallaspects ofourbeing,fromthemostphysicaltothesubtlestenergyvibrations.theword yogaitselfmeanstounite,andtoyokeorharness;infacttheenglishwordyoke comesfromthesanskritrootyog. Whatareweunitingwith?Andwhatdoweharness?Itisourindividualawareness thatneedstobeunitedwiththeuniversalawareness,because That awarenessis eternalandcomplete.spiritualliberationisachievedthroughthisunion.inorderto bringaboutsuchliberationweneedtoworkonbecomingmoreawareofeverything thatweare,includingourphysicalbodies.thatishowthephysicalaspectofyoga, HathaYoga,developed.Thephysicalexercisesthathavebecomepopular throughoutthewestarereallydoneformentalandspiritualpurposes. Improvementsinhealthcomeaboutassideeffects,orfringebenefits.Thephysical benefitsofyogamayaccountforthegrowingpopularityofthedisciplineinthe West,especiallyinlightofthemultitudeofdiseasesallaroundus,butthisphysical aspectisonlypartoftheprocess.

21 Patanjali s,ashtanga,yoga,,the,eight,limbs,of,yoga, YogaChittaVrittiNirodha IPantanjali ChittaVritta translatesasthemindstuff,mindchatter,modificationsofthemindor turningsofthemind.nirodhatranslatesascessation,stoppage,suppressionor suspension.yogacanthusbedefinedas thecessasionoftheturningsofthe mind theinhibitiionsofthemodificationsofthemind. Thisisthetranslationof theabovephrase,whichpatanjali,indianscholar,sageandauthorofthesacred texts,theyogasutras,laysoutasthetrumeaningofyoga.theyogasutrasarea compilationofstanzasonthephilosophyofyogacompiledbypatanjaliaround600 BC.Theword yoga isderivedfromthesanskritroot yuj whichmeanstounited, yokeortojointogether.inthephilosophyofthisancientscience,yogaisconsidered tobethesacredunionfothe individualself withthe universalcosmic consciousness.thisunioncanonlytakeplaceafterthepurificationofthemind. Whathasmadeusblindisindeedthemindrunningwildwiththoughts,imagination, intepretations,memories,judgments,expectations,fears,etc.whenalloftheseare broughttoastandstillwefindpeaceofmindandclarityofpercetptiion.wealso regainthevisionofamagicalworldlosttouswhenwewereyoung,when,as children,westarted thinking. Itmaytakeawhileforsomeofustoregainthatlevel ofcolorfulperception,butifallthewhilewearegainingbetterhealth,vitatlirty, happier,emotions,andourknowledgeisdevelopingintowisdom,thenwhynotgo thisroute? Accordingtoourresearch,themasterPatanjali,spentmanyyearsobservingthe natureofhumanbeings.fromhisobservationsaswellasfromhisvastknowledge ofthecosmicuniversalforces,patanjaliwasinspiredtohelpmankindattainthis masteryoverthemindandunionwithdivinesource.itwasfromthese contemplationsthathelaidoutthe eightlimbsofyoga calledastangayoga.inthe Sanskritlanguage asta translatesaseightand anga means limbs.astangayogais consideredtobethe eightifoldpathofyoga aswellasthe eightifoldpathofthe purificationofthemind.theseeightstepsofyoga,aslaidout,in,the,samkhya, philosophy,by,patanjali,isalsoreferredtoasragayoga.rajaisasanskritword whichtranslatesasroyal.thusthispathisalsoknownasthe royalyoga ;the completemasteryofthe mindovermatter. TheHatha%Yoga%Pradipikaliststhestagesoftheseeightlimbsofyogaasfollows: 1. Yama 2. Niyama 3. Asana 4. Pranayama

22 5. Pratyahara 6. Dharana 7. Dhyana 8. Samadhi% InthesubsequentchaptersonthechakrasDaviddefinestheseeightIlimbsandthe yamaandniyamarelatedtoeachparticularchakra.foryourleaningand knowledge,wewilltakeamomentinthenextfewpagestolistanddescribeeachof theeightlimbsinsequence. 1. Yama:,abstentions,;,ethical,practices, Thefiveyamasareasfollows: Ashimsa:nonIviolenceinthought,word,deedoractiontoanylivingthing Satyam:truthfulness;sincerityinthoughtorspeech Asteya:nonIstealing,nonIholdingornonIaccumulationforthingswhichdonot belongtoyou Brahmacharya:sexualcontinence;celibacy;ethicalsexualpractice;theabstaining fromsexualrelationsforspecificperiodsoftimeduringaspiritualpractice; moderationinsexualconduct Aparigrabha:nonIgrasping;nonIgreediness AccordingtothewritingsofHiroshiMotoyamainhisbook,THeriesoftheChakras, theyogasutrasstatethattheobservanceofyamaalsogeneratecertainspiritual powers: ForexampleifamanpracticesnonIviolencehewillfindthathisenemiesand Conflictswilldisappear.Onewhopracticestruthfulnesswillfindhiswishes fulfilled.nonistealingmayaccruegoodfortuneandwealth.alsocelibacywill generatepowerfulenergyinthebody 2. Niyama:,virtuous,conduct;,cultivation,and,observances,of,virtues, Thefiveniyamasareasfollows: Saucha:cleanliness;personalhygiene;tidinessofpersonalenvironment Santosha:contentment;abilitytobehappyinthepresentmoment

23 Tapas:austerity;discipline;practice;chantingthesacredscripturesandmantrasto thedivine;studyofthespiritualtexts Swadhiyaya:selfIstudy;selfIobservation Ishwara-Pranidhana:-worshipoftheDivine;surrendertoGod.Inthescienceofyoga thisisbetterdescribedaspayingattentiontotheintuitivevoiceoftheguruwithin. Thepracticeoftheyamasandniyamasteachestheyogiandyoginitodevelopa good,moralcharacter.thestudentfollowsasetofethics,principlesandvaluesto helpuplifttheirmind.thepurposeoftheyamaandniyamaistopreparetheseeker fortheirspiritual,yogaicpath. 3., Asana:,sanskrit,for, seated,posture ;,84,classical,hatha,yoga, asanas, Someofthebenefitsofclassicalhathayogaasanasare: Createsflexibilityinthephysicalbody Tonesthemusclesandstrengthensthebones Increasescirculationofbloodandbodilyfluids Improvesthefunctionoftheendocrineglands Rejuvenatesthecellularbody,glandsandorgans Rejuvenatesandbalancesthecentralnervoussystem Maycurediseaseinthebody Calmstheheartrate Releasespranaintobody Activatesthechakracenters;stimulatesthenervegroups Increasesbrainactivity Helpstoclearthenadichannels&meridianpathwaysinthebody Goodforrelaxation;calmsthemind Kundaliniawakening PreparesthebodyformeditationandunionwiththeDivine IntheYogaSutras,Patanjalidiscussesthepurposeandbenefitsofpadmasana(full lotus)andardhapadmasana(halfilotus).hethatsaidifthebodycansitinagood seatedposturewithastrongbackandstraightspine,onecanexperiencethemany benefitsofmeditation.astraightspineenhancestheflowofpranicenergythrough thenadichannelslocatedwithinandalongthespinalcolumn.thisflowofpranic energyenhancesthemeditator shigherstatesofconsciousness.itissaidthatthe purposeofhathayogaasanasistopreparetheyogi sbodyforthehigherpractices ofconcentrationandmeditation. Asanaskeepthebodystrongandflexibleforlongperiodsofmeditation.Aswell,itis saidthatthepracticeofbreathingandasanaspreparethenervegroupsalongthe

24 spinalcolumnfortheincreasedflowofvibrantpranicenergythroughtheprimary nadichannelsofida,pingalaandsushumns.)seechaptervi Kundalini) 4., Pranayama:,releasing,of,prana,with,control,over,the,breath;, distribution,of,prana,through,particular,breathing,techniques, Inthepracticeofyoga,suspensionofthebreathisoneofthetechniquesusedto calmthemind.khumbhaka,whichisretentionfothebreath,directlyaffectstheflow ofpraniccurrentsintheenergybody.rechakaisthesanskritnameforholdingthe bodyemptyofbreath.thispracticeisalsoveryenergizing.thereareamultitudeof pranayamabreathingtechniqueswhichenhancetheawakeningofthepraniclife force,kundalini,locatedatthebaseofthespine.alternatenostrilbreathingpurifies thenervoussysteminpreparationforthehigherstatesofmind.thepracticeof pranayamabreathingtechniquesinconjunctionwiththepracticeofasanas, bandhas,mudrasandmantraareveryawakeningfortheyogapractitioner. Purificationofthemindandbodyisimportantbeforedoingadvancedpracticesof yoga.pranayampreparesthemindforconcentration,visualizationandmeditation., 5., Pratyahara:,withdrawal,of,the,senses,from,outer,worldly, stimulations;,the,withvdrawing,of,the,mind,from,the,major,sense,(taste,,smell,, sight,,touch,and,hearing), Inpracticeofpratyaharaonemaywithdrawthemindbyclosingone seyes, pluggingone searsandclosingone smouth.byremovingone ssensesfromthe outermaterialworldonecanbeginthepracticeofconcentrationandmeditationin thepresentmoment., 6., Dharana:,concentration;,the,stilling,of,the,mind,by,focusing,or, concentrating,on,one,point,,an,object,,yantra,symbol,,chakra,center,or,a, mantra;,onevpointedness, Thisformofconcentrationmaybedonewitheyesclosedoreyesopen.Inthe traditionalyogicpracticessomeofthepointsofconcentrationareusuallydoneby lookingupwardtothethirdieyeorsixthchakra,lookingtowardsthetipofthenose, focusingontheheartorconcentratingonaparticularchakracenter. Inhisbook,Mediation-and-Mantras,SawmiDevanadateachesthattraditionally,ajna chakraconcentrationisrecommendedformeditatorsofanintellectualnature,while Anahatachakraconcentrationisrecommendedforthoseofanemotionalnature.It isimportanttoexperimentwiththesepracticestofeeloutwhichpointof concentrationresonatesmorenaturally. Saguna:translatesasconcrete;meditationonanexternalpictureorobjectisaform oftangible,concreteconcentration.

25 Nirguna:meditationpracticethatismoreabstract;concentrationonaconceptsuch aslove Sagunameditationissuallypracticedalongtimebeforetheyogiisreadyforthe nirgunapracticeforitiseasiertoholdthemindonaconcreteobjectorimagerather thanjustanideaorconcept. Tratak:thepracticeofsteadygazingonaparticularobjectsuchasaburningcandle flame,aumsymbolorapictureofadivinemasterordeity.onemayconcentrateon theobjectforaperiodoftime;thenclosetheeyesandvisualizetheobject.thisform ofconcentrationcalmsthebusy,wanderingmind. Themainobjectiveoftheseformsofconcentrationtechniquesistoprepareand clearthemindforthepracticeofmediation., 7., Dhyana:,sustained,and,uninterrupted,meditation;,unbroken, meditation, ThroughthepracticeofdharanaandoneIpointedconcentrationtechniques,the mindbecomescalm,intuitionandawarenessareincreased,andonecanachievea higherstateofmeditation.dhyanaistheformofmeditationwheretheyogibegins tomoveintoanelevatedstateofhigherconsciousness.theindividualselfandthe universalselfbegintomerge.swamigitanandawascleartopointoutthatafteryou havepreparedthebodyandclearedthemind,thehigherexperiencesofdhyanaand Samadhisimply happen,youarenolongerattemptingtodoanything., 8., Samadhi:,state,of,blissfulness;,union,with,the,divine;,selfV realization;,attainment,of,union,with,the,divine,consciousness;,liberation, from,the,bondages,of,the,material,world, TheSanskrittermSamadhicomesfromtheroots sam whichmeanscomplete, a whichmeanseternal,and dhi whichtranslatesasbuddhiandinnerwisdom.*in thestateofsamadhioneisfreeofawarenessoftheindividualself,timeorspace. Samadhiisthecompetestateofeternalblissfulness,orSatChitAnadawhich translatesas truth,consciousness&bliss Aham(IAm). Samadhiisthefinalresultofthevariouspracticesofthe Science-of-Yoga- -Chakra- System. Aham-Sat-Chit-Anada- IAMTRUTH,CONSCIOUSNESS&BLISS AUM

26 ThoughthetermsYamaandNiyamaaretranslatedasdieandnotdie,theycould roughlybetranslatedintothewordsdon t,doanddo.therearefivetypesof behaviortobeavoided(whichneedtodie),andfivetypesofconductwhichshould continue.mostofthesearerulesofsocialbehaviorthatkeepusinnonistressful relationshipswithourfellowhumans.theyarerequiredbecauseduringtheprocess ofexploringthemindweleantoseeourselvesmoreclearly,andanywrongdoingwe havebeeninvolvedwithcomeupinthemirrorofintrospection.introspectionor selfiobservationisoneoftherulesofconductthatneedstobehighlighted(niyama: nonideath).aswebecomeawarethatkarmaappliestoallouractions,wemight wellchooseactionsthatbringusdesirableresults.incomingtorealizethatkarmais anactionmirrorworkingthroughuniversalenergyfields,weseethatrightbehavior istheonlywaytogo.whateverwedotootherswillbedonetousinsuchawayas toalwayskeepthingsinbalance;socially,allourconsiderationandhelpfulactions tootherscomebacktous.karmaisnotgoodnorbad,itisquitesimplytheresultof ouractions.sometimesthereisabacklogofactionsweneedtogetcaughtupon, fromourpastyearsorevenfrompastlifetimes.butinevitablytheeventsbalance themselvesout,andwithyogatheprocessacceleratesuntilwemaycometoaplace called instantkarma. Itisawonderfulplacetobe,orshouldbe,butforsome peopleitcouldbelethal,dependingonwhatyouhavebeenupto;.ifweseeitas actionireaction,anduseitassuch,lifebecomesawonderfulexpressionofwhatever wearecreating. Atamorepersonallevel,thisruleofactionIreactionworksquicklytoouradvantage whenwebegintuningiupourbodies,eatingthefoodsthatarebestforourhealth, andbreathingdeeply.theresultscomefastandweareencouragedtocontinuewith ourpractice.becausewecanclearlyseetheprogress,itbecomesselfievidentwhy weshouldcontinuecreatinghealthandhappinessforourselvesandothers. Sometimeshealthmaybedifficulttoattainwhenwehavenotbeentakingcareof thebody:notuneiups,longperiodsofbaddiet,headfullofdiseasepossibilities,lead toanaccumulationofnegativestuff,likethechemicalpreservativesfromfoodthat havesettledinthebodyforawhile.thereitis thebacklogofveryphysicalkarma. Withagoodyogaroutineofposture,movementandbreath,thecleansingprocessis awakenedandbeginseliminatingtheundesirableelementsfromoursystem. Rejuvenationandhealthareontheway.Butwefirstneedtounderstandwhatwe havebeendoingtointerferewiththenaturalhealingforces,andtheceaseour destructivepatternsinordertocometoarealizationofourownbodilykarma. Whenwecometoanunderstandingofkarmainthisway,itbecomesmoreobvious whythereneedtobeguidelinesforourbehavior.theyamaandniyamaarethereto showushowtodirectourenergiesinawaythatwillcreateapositivelifefor ourselves.iwillenumeratetheseguidelinesbelowbutwillelaborateonthematter intheappropriatechaptersonthechakras.eachchakrastimulatesacertainkindof action,andthisactionneedstobeguidedsothatenergiesdon tgowild.energylikes tomove,infactitcannotstopmoving,soitisimportantthatitgotherightway,

27 otherwiseitcouldbedetrimental.asnaexample,awaterhosewithhighpressure waterflowingthroughitneedstobeheldfirmlyanddirected,otherwisethehose willflyallovertheplaceandwatergoeseverywhere.sincethepracticeofyoga generatesahigherenergyflowthroughthenervoussystem,theenergyneedstobe directedintomentalandspiritualdevelopment,otherwiseitmaygowild,andso willyourdesires,thoughts,fearsandfantasies. InthefieldofHathaYogaoneoftherequirementsofthepracticeisthatofmental involvement,notinthesenseofthinking,butofmentallyobservingthefeelings whicharisefromeachpostureormovement.thereisno thing tothinkabout, rather,onejustconcentratesonthemomentaryexperienceofallthesensations comingintothemind nothinking,analyzing,comparingorjudging.theseareall distractions,whichdilutetherichnessofthepresentmoment.formostpeoplethe focusandstillingofthemindisachallenge.wehavebeenconditionedwithsomany yearsofcontinualthinking,inaeducationalsystemthatneverexplainshowtostop theprocess.consequently,itnowtakesalotofreconditioningtochangeentrenched thoughtpatters.becauseyogaisawhilemind/bodymethodofdealingwithlife,itis importantforstudentstotakethementalsideofitseriouslyratherthan mechanicallydoingposturesandmovements. ForthementalpartofthisselfImastery,fourstepsarerequired.Thefirstoftheseis relaxationofthenervoussystem,withoutwhichthemindcouldwellbeinfrantic nonistopthinkingmode.thisrelaxationdoesnotjustmeanhavinganap,itgoestoa muchdeeperlevelcalledpratyahara atermwhichmeanswithdrawaland detachmentfromallsensorystimulation.thisprocessallowsthemindtorelax. Concentration,(Dharana)meditation(Dhyana)andSamadhifollow.Beforeanyof thesecanbeachieved,contemplation,(swadhyaya,oneofthenuyamas)asan analytical thinking processneedstobepracticed.hereyouareobservingthe thoughtswithoutbeingcarriedawaybythem.itinvolvesadegreeofdirectingthe thoughts choosingwhattothinkaboutandremainingonthesubjectratherthan randomthinking.writingthemoutonpaperisoftenagoodwayofslowingdown andobservingtheprocess,togetherwithvariousrelaxationtechniques.tothiswe addconcentrationtechniqueswhichfocusonsightorsound themandalaigazing methodsforinstance,whereonestareswithfixedattentiononanexternal geometricdesign,followedbylookingontheinsideattheafteriimagethatcomes up.oronecanconcentrateonanappropriatesound(mantra)tostimulatethe energyofaspecificchakrathroughvibration.focusingonsomethingratherthan randomthinkingfallsintotherealmofconcentration.whenthisisaccomplishedfor aperiodoftime(notnecessarilylong),itleadstoastateofmeditation. Fornowitisenoughtohaveanideaofhowthevariousphaseofyogafittogether intoasystemthatisselfisupporting.whenyouaddalittlebitofexperiencetothe idea,itbecomesclear.ifyouspendahalfihourpracticingavigoroushathayoga routine,followingthatwitharelaxationthatutilizesslowdeepbreathing,theyou willprobablyfindthatcontemplationandconcentrationcomemucheasier,thena meditativestateofmindbecomespossible.

28 Energylikestomove,infactitcannotstopmoving,soitisimportantthatitgothe rightway,otherwiseitcouldbedetrimental.sincethepracticeofyogageneratesa higherenergyflowthroughthenervoussystem,theenergyneedstobedirectedinto mentalandspiritualdevelopment,otherwiseitmaygowild,andsowillyour desires,thoughts,fearsandfantasies. THE,FORMS,OF,YOGA,whichwewillbeworkingwithduringthisteachers course are: Hatha%Yogaisthatformmostpeopleconsidertobeyoga.Itconsistsof physicalposturesandmovementsdesignedtostimulateandrejuvenatethephysical cellsofourbeing.manyposturesnadpositionsareaimedatstretchingouthebody tomakeitmoreflexible.otherposturesandmovementsareforgainaingstrength andempowerment,whilethedandhalseriesisspecificallyforbodybuilding. Overall,yogainvolvesadetailedknowledgeofourphysiologyandbringsustoan understandingofhowtheglandsandorgasfunctionandwhatcausesthemto malfunctionsometimes.welearnhowtoinfluencetheglandsandorgans,whatto feedthebody,howtodetoxify,strengthen,etc.allfothisinformationandmoreis incorporatedintothefirstphaseofyogawhichisconnectedtoourphysicalbodies, relatedtothefirstchakra,themostmaterialelement. Jnana%YogahastodowithachievingwisdomthroughthepathofselfI analysis.itleadsustounderstandtheemotionalaspectofourbeinganditsruling effectonourmind.asapractice.itisanapplicationofmanydifferentrelaxation techniques,alongwithintrospectivemethodsforstudyingtheemotionalmotives forouractionsandreactionsinthesocialworld.thetechniqueofpratyahara,for example,isawithdrawalfromtheouterworldofdistractionstorefocusthe awarenessontheworkingsoftheminditself.bystudyinghowthemindisled aroundbythesensesanddesires,thisformofyogabecomesaninidepthstudyof psychology.,thephilosophicalprinciplesofsamkhyaarethenrealizedfollowedby theapplicationofyogatechniquesforchangingadistractingsituationuntil consciousnessleadsanddirectsthemindratherthanbeingletaroundbyit. Pranayama%Yogabeginswiththeartofproperbreathing;fromthereit movesthroughdozensoftechniquesaimedatrejuvenatingthenervoussystem throughcontrollingtheflowofenergyinthenerves.ultimately,pranaiyamameans energycontrol.manyofthemethodslearnedherearecombinedwiththeother formsofyoga.itisafundamentalpartofhathyogapractice(traditionally),asthere arespecifictechniquesforrejuvenatingeachglandororgan,forreleasingstressor boostinghormonalproductions,forempoweringthemuscles,etc.likewisethere aretechniquesforclearingthemind,weedingoutoldnegativethoughtpatterns, andbringingpeaceofmind.someofthebreathingmethodsareusedtoinducedeep relaxationandmeditativestates;thereareevensomeforleavingthebody,as consciousnessexpandstohigherrealms.

29 Karma%Yogaisamoresubtlestudyofthelawsofcauseandeffectasthey applytoourpersonallife.inessenceitisastudyofhowwehavecreatedthe situationweareinnow,andasubsequentlookatwhatwewouldliketocreatein ourupcomingyearsandlifetimes.techniquesinvolveselfianalysisofthoughts, emotionsandfeelings,leadingtoinsightsaboutwhereitallcomesfrom,and methodstochangetheundesirableaspects.inpracticeitcomesdowntobeing helpfulandcompassionatewitheveryone,therebycreatingpositivekarma. Raja%Yogamaybemorecommonlyknownastheyogaofthemind.Herewe findmanymethodsofworkingwithmentalfunctions,suchascreativevisualization andtheverbalandvocalprocesses(thesewillbedistinguishedandexplainedmore fullyintheappropriatechapter,5).thereisalotoflearningaboutthefunctionsof themind,followedbytheapplicationofwhatislearned.byskillfuluseofmental energies,certainresultsareachievedwithinthebody,suchashealing,andoutinthe world asinmanifestingyourdreams.meditationpracticesthattakeyououtofthe normalworldtoexploretheinnerworldarealargepartofthisroyalyoga(raja meansroyal).herewecometoknowthatmindrulesovermatter,thatmindisthe king. Yantra%Yogahastodowiththestructureofmind,energyandtime.Oneof theleastknownformsofyoga,itislikeastudyofcosmicgeometryand mathematics,asinthemeasurementoftimeandthebiorhythmsofthechakra energies.sometimesreferredtoassacred%geometry,yantrayogainvolves numbers,symbolsandcolors,leadingustoanunderstandingofhowtheseinfluence themindwhileasapracticeitappliestheuseofartasafocusedconcentrationin designingmandalas.throughthetimecyclesapersonalcalendarcanbemadeto helpusseehowtheenergiesofthechakrasareaffectingusbytheday,month,year, etc. Mantra%Yogaisanintricatestudyofsoundanditsinfluenceonenergy,mind, andtheexternalworld.morethanjustthechantingofcertainsounds,thisformof yogagoesdeeplyintotheessenceofwhatsoundisavibration,whattypesofsounds affectwhicharesofthebodyandmind thementalreactions,etc.thencomesthe applicationofcertainsoundformulastocreatethedesiredresults.fundamentally,it comesdowntotherealitythatallisenergyandthatenergyisinastateofvibration. Soundisoneofthewaysweperceivevibration.Itisalsoaneasytooltoworkwith aswecancreatesoundsthatbringthemindtoameditativestate. Laya%Yogainvolvesconcentrationtechniquestomoveenergyincertain waysforthepurposeofawakeningdormantforcesinthebody,soastousethem alongtheevolutionarypath.theseforces(ortheforce)aresomewhatmagicalin theirnatureandshouldonlybeusedbyanadeptfordharmic(right)purposes, healingorhelpingothersalongthespiritualpath.othernamesbywhichthisyogais knownarekundaliniandtantra.knowledgeabouttheenergycentersknownas chakrasiscontainedinthisrealmofyoga.

30 Bhakti%Yogaisthestudyoftheonenessoftheuniverse.Itattemptsto understandhowitallfitstogetherintoapattern,allowingustoseethatthe universeisunfoldingwithintelligence,beautyandpurpose.throughastudyofthe energyfieldsweeventuallycometoarealizationthattheenergy,whichmakesup thestarsandplanets,theheat,light,etc,isthesameasthatwhichmakesupour ownbodies.withthisunderstandingwecangowiththeflowandtrustthatweare partofthisunfoldingprocessaswell.bhaktiyogaismorethanaphilosophyabout hisoneness;itutilizestheotherformsofyogainbringingaboutaheartfelt realizationofthistruth.bhaktiliterallymeansdevotiontogod;inindiaitisknown asthepathoflovetogod(whilejnanaisthewisdompath).throughdevelopingan awarenessofoneness,onearrivesatthewisdomthatweareallpartofoneinfinite energyfield,inastateofvibrationthatfeelslikelove. The,PANCHA,KOSHAS:,The,five,bodies., Intheyogicsystemwearesaidtohavefivebodiesratherthanonlytheone attributedtousbywesternscience.thewordkoshameansasheathorcovering, panchameansfive:thesereferothefivecoveringsoverourconsciousawareness, fiveveilswhichlimitourconsciousness. ANNAMAYAKOSHAisthefirstofthekoshas.Itisourphysicalbody,themost obviousandtangibleenergyformthatwetaketobearealitybecausesolidityis whatwearetaughtisreal.annareferstophysicalfoodandthewordmayameans illusion.thedensestpartoftheillusionisourbody,(infactmostofusbecome trappedinit),andithastobesustainedbyfood. PRANAMAYA%KOSHAisthesecondsheathoftheillusion.Thewordpranameans energy,thevitalessence(comparechiinchinese).ourenergybody,oretheric body,consistsofalltheenergymovingalongthenerves,withinthecells,inthe brainandthroughoutthephysicalbody;itisthepowerthatanimatesthephysical, makingitmoveandthink thelifeforcewithoutwhichwewouldonlybeacorpse. Whentheenergybodyseparatesfromthephysical,wesaythephysicalhasdied. MANOMAYA%KOSHAisthethirdlayeroverourconsciousness,andthisoneis composedofthoughtpatternsinrelationwithoursenses.theenergymoving throughthebrainandnervoussystemformscertainpatternsofthoughtand behavioraswelearnandgrow.muchofthishastodowithsurvivalandbasicneeds likeeatingandmovingaroundtoacquirethefoodandbuildshelters.let ssayyou noticeyouarehungry,soyoureactbymakingsomethingtoeatandconsumingit. Allofthisrequirescertainmentaldecisionsandwillfulaction,whichareinthe realmofthelowermind:basicfunctions.animalshavesimilarmindfunctionsthat allowthemtosurviveinthesameway,thoughnotsocomplex.

31 VIJNANAMAYA%KOSHAisthesheathcomposedofhigherintelligenceandis comprisedofbothintellectandintuition.itcoversourconsciousnesswithalayerof knowledgeaboutmoreuniversalconceptsandideals.morelikeaphilosophical mindset,itdoesn thavealottodowiththebasicsofsensualexistence.becausethis mindisconnectedtotheuniverse,itisexpansiveandactuallymuchlargerthanour physicalbodies itsenergyismoreelectromagneticandwithoutbodylimitations. Wecouldsaythatitisaneternalpartoftheuniverseanddoesnothaveanyserious attachmenttothebody.however,itcanbeaveryungroundinginfluenceduetothis, asitcanleadusintoadreamworldofendlesspossibilities. ANANDAMAYA%KOSHAisthebodyofbliss.Atthislevelofourexperience,we perceiveourwholeenergybeinginastateofvibration,consequentlyitfeelslike bliss.interferencefromthemindisabsent,leavingusfreetobeinthatbliss.since everythingismadeofthesameuniversalenergy,thisstateofconsciousnessallows ustomergewiththecosmicenergyfieldandexpandcontinuously.whilewearestill ontheearthplanewecantapintothislevelofourbeingwithouthavingtodissolve ourphysicalexistence.infact,wheneverwearehavingablissfulmomentwearein touchwithit.ifimaystateanunexpectedexample,duringorgasm,whenweare shiftingintofeelinganintenseenergyflowthroughthelowercenters,weare experiencingpartofourblissfulbody.imagineanorgasmaslargeasthegalaxy

32

33 ,,,,

34 CHAPTER,1, Muladhara,Chakra, Foundation-Root-Center- Muladhara,theenergyofcompression,isthecreativeforceunderlyingthe materialworld,pullingparticlestogetherlikebuildingblockstomanifestthe earthelement. Atthemolecularlevelthisenergyisthestrongintegrativepowerthatholds eachindividualatomtogether;thenuclearcoreofthematerialworld. Attheuniversallevelitisthegravitationalpullthatholdsindividualstars andplanetstogether,andcreateswhatweexperienceasthegravityofthe earth thatpullthatkeepsusontheground. Atthephysiologicallevelitistheforcethatempowerscellstogather nutrientsforgrowth,asinchildren sbodieswhereanabundanceofthis energyisrequired.hormonesandneuroipeptidesproducedbythesex glandsreflectthisenergyanddistributeitthroughoutthebody. Atthepsychologicallevelthoughtsstimulatedarearoundtheself, possessions,survival,andacquisition. ELEMENT, Earth=Theearthelementistheprimaryforceinmaterialcreation.The energy/powerofgravitation,(energythatdrawsinuponitself,pullingintowards thecenter),itisastrongbindingpowerthatholdstogetherthephysical componentsoftheuniverse.wecouldsaythatitistheforcethatholdstheenergyin patternswhichgiveustheimpressionofphysicalmatter.onthelargeplanetary scaleweknowthisforceexistsasgravity,astrongpowerthatkeepstheearthintact. Thisdynamicforceisalwaysinfluencingusontheoutside,butitalsoaffectsuson aninternallevel.justaswetakegravityforgranted,weoftenoverlookthe importanceofthisintegrativepoweruponourphysicalbeings.onthemicrocosmic scale,thissameenergykeepseachatominourbodiesintactandgiveseachcellits integrity,eachorganitsindividuality;itgivesusourindividuality,keepingour bodiesfrommeltingintothegroundbeneathus.oncewelosethatforcewedoin factdissolvebackintotheearth.thesanskritnameofthiselementalforceis Prithivi. MuladharachakraisthenamegiventothiscenterofenergyintheSanskrit language.thenamemeansrootcenteramongstotherthings,becauseitisatthe rootofyourbeing.itcanbefeltatthebaseofyourspineinitspureessence,though thisenergyispresentinmanyareasofyourbody(eachcellactually).wecan visualizethenervoussystemastherootsthroughwhichwedrawenergyfromthe bodyintothechakrarealm.feelingthisenergyemotionallycanbethebeginningof

35 developingconfidence,whichbecomesquitestrongasoneworkswithmanyofthe techniquessupportingmuladhara. Allthatissolidisheldtogetherbytheforceofthiscenter.ThisworksatthesubI atomicorquantumlevel,thenupwardsandoutwardsastheseparticlesaddupto becomethebuildingblockswerefertoasmolecules,andthesegrouptogetherto becomepartsofcells,thencompletecells.thecellsgroupthemselvesintoorgans andglands,andtheseformanorganizedgroupthatintegratesintoacompletebody. Allismadewiththebuildingblocksoftheuniverse,andtheseblocksareheld togetherwiththesamekindofenergy:thatprimaryforceofmuladhara.withinthe centeroftheblocksknownascellsarethegeneticpatternsthatdeterminewhatthe formwillbe.eachcellhasitsownholographicimagebuiltinsothatit knows its placewithinthestructure.similarly,eachpartofthebodyfollowsadevelopment blueprintthatiswithintisowncore,whileatthesametimebeingpartofthegreater picture. Thisideaofthesmallblueprintbeingpartofthelargerone,andsimultaneously reflectingit,takesusbacktotheconceptofmacrocosmandmicrocosm,theatom beingasmallmodelofthesolarsystem(figs.1a&b);thestructureoftheuniverse beingreflectedinourownmolecularstructure. Ifwelookoutasfaraswecanineverydirectionofspaceweseestarsradiating energytowardsusintheformoflight.thatiswhywecanseethem,buttheycan alsosendingawiderspectrumofelectromagneticenergywhichwedonotsee.as theseenergywavescrossatvariousanglestheycreatedifferentphenomenaherein thematerialworld,andwhenthatangleis90degreesthewaveswraparoundeach otherinabindingdancethatcreatesatoms,andappearstousasmatter.oneofthe primarysymbolsusedforthisenergyboundtogetheristheyellowsquare.yellowis thecolorweseewhenwelookatfireorthesun,sowemaythinkofitasthecolorof energyingeneral.

36 ThesquaremeanwhileisaboxIlikefigurethatcontainsfourrightanglesandholds thisenergy.atthecrossingpointofthetwowavesmentionedearliertherearefour suchanglesfacingoutward;inasquaretherearethosesamefour90degreeangles facinginwardtocontaintheenergy,energycondensedwithintheatom(fig.1c). Thus,therearefouranglesontheinside,fourontheoutside;oneisthereflectionof theother.thesedays,asnuclearphysicistskeepexploringtherealmwithinthe atom,theykeeprenamingtheinnermostparticles.thelatesttermfortheseis gluons,whichaptlydescribeshowthesewavesgetgluedtogether.sinceweare totallyimmersedinthesetrillionsofenergywavescominginfromtrillionsofstars, theyendupformingthezillionsofatomsthatmakeupourmaterialreality.thiswas theviewheldbymostoftheancientcivilizations.ifounditverysynchronisticthat thesymboloftheyellowsquarecanstillbefoundinthefadedtemplesofegyptand themayanlands,aswellasinindia. AnotherclassicsymbolusedforoneoftheaspectsofMuladharabyeachofthese culturesisthatoftheserpent.thesnake,movinginwaveslikeenergy,wasdepicted inmanyscenestotellthestoryofwhatenergywasdoinginavarietyofsituations.

37 Whatwefindinthefirstchakrasymbolismisaserpentcurledupandresting.In Indiaitiscurledupinthreeandahalfcoilsandreferredtoasthedormant Kundalini%Energy;inEgyptitistwoandahalfcoils.OneofkindTut sfavorite treasureswasasolidgold,twoandhalfcoiledserpent.theenergyoftheuniversein motiontakestheformofelectromagneticwaves;whenthisenergycondensesinto matter,itspiralsarounditself,givingusthecoiledoftheserpent.inthematerial elementoftheearthwefindthetwocrossingenergywavescirclingaroundeach otherinavibrantcosmicdancethatiscontainedandboundwithineveryatom.this condensingeffectispresentthroughoutthebody,thoughitsimpactisstrongestat thebaseofthespine.astherootchakra,thisenergyisstronglyconnectedtothe coccygealandsacralplexuses,aswellastothesexglands;thefirstofthosebeing moredirectlyrelatedtothedormantforceofkundalini(itiscalledjundain Sanskrit),whilethelatteristhemoregeneralareawherethisenergyvortices.Note thatmanymodernyogabooksrelatethesacralplexustothesecondchakra.my experiencesinconcentrationandmeditationlatertookmeintothecentersofthose vortexes,andverifiedforme,(asswamigitanandawasspecificinpointingout), thatmuladharaisdefinitelyvibrantintheareafromthesacrumtothecoccyx.the contractingfeelingofthisenergyisnoticeableinamusclethatisheldtight.inthe centerofthechakraitbecomesthemostsolidformofbliss.inthiscaseasinmany, theexperienceisrequiredtomakethedifferencebetweentheoryandknowledge. (Level2) ENDOCRINE,GLANDS, TheTESTICLESorOVARIESaretheendocrineglandsdirectlyinfluencedbythis energy.lookingathowthisenergywords,itisinterestingtonotethattheseglands haveagravitationalcondensingpowersogreatthattheytaketheessentialelements ofyourbeingandpackthemintoamolecularstructuremuchtoosmalltobeseenby thenakedeye.theessenceofyourphysicalandpsychologicalselfareallhere, withinthespermortheeggiiithemacrocosmwithinthemicrocosm.thetesticles andovariesalsofabricatehormones,whichcanbeconsideredaschemical messengers.therearemaleandfemalehormones.themalehormone,testosterone, travelsthroughthebodytowardspecifictargets;oncethere,itsomehow communicatesthefunctionofgravityorpulliinpowertothecellsinneedsothat theycandrawinthenutrientsneededtogrow.itgiveseachcellthepowerto attract.somevariationsofthishormonebeginsurveyingthebodyatpubertyand guidethesexualdevelopmentoftheindividual.anotheraspectorversionofthis substanceplaysalargepartintheutilizationofproteinbyvariousbodycells, includingthegatheringandcondensingoftheseproteintomakehairandother solidcomponents.testosteroneisresponsibleforthemaleprimarysexfeatures, suchasgrowthofthegenitals,andsecondaryfeaturessuchashairgrowthallover thebody,especiallyatthepubis,faceandarmpits;muscledevelopment;and enlargementofthelarynxcausingthevoicetodeepen.itstimulatesthegrowthof

38 bonceandcausesittohardenwhencomplete.itevenhelpsthebloodtocondensein certainareasinordertoformclots.allofthesefunctionscanbeseenasdirectly relatedtotheearthelement,condensationintohardnessbeingaprincipalfeatureof thegravitationalenergy.sexualfunctions,spermformulation,andphysicaldriveor motivationincreaseordecreaseaccordingtotheproductionofthishormone, productionwhichisimmediatelyinfluencedbythepracticeofhathayoga. Thebalancingeffectsofestrogenandprogesteronearesubduedbytheforceof Muladharachakra,andstimulatedbytheeffectofthesecondchakraenergy,aswill bediscussedinchaptertwo.eachoftheforcesneedtobebalancedwithineach chakra. OTHER,PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS, Muscle,and,Bone, Manyofthebody sphysicalcomponents,suchasbonesandmuscles,aregoverned bytheforceofthefirstchakra.inthecaseofmuscles,theirveryfunctioningcanbe seenasadirectresultofthecontractingforceofmuladhara.musclecellscontract whenfibersofactinandmyosinslideintoeachother.whatpullsthemtogether? Polaritiesactingatmolecularlevelsarecausingthefiberstopullthemselves together.eachcellusesthepullingpowertocontract,causingthemuscletoshorten. Youcanobservethisfeelingwhenyoutightenandholdamuscle.Thatsamefeeling istherenearthebottomofyourspineatalltimesbutbelowthelevelofnormal consciousness.inthepracticeofyogathereisonetechniqueknownasmula-bandha (beginningwiththecontractionofthesphinctermuscle)thatisusedtobringusin touchwiththefeelingofthisforce.itfeelsverytight,hardandstrong,likeafirmly contractedmuscle.also,thereisaverycenteredexperiencethatcomesalongwith thehereiandinowperceptionofthemusclesatwork.thisphenomenoncanbefelt ineachofthemuscles,andcanbeamplifiedwithcertainmethodsofexerciseinthe HathaYogasystem:thosetechniquesknownastheDandhals(bodyIbuildingand strengtheningexercises). Hardnessisaprimarycharacteristicoftheearthelement.Bonesareobviouslysome ofthehardestpartsofourbeing.theenamelonourteethistheonlyharder substancewehave,andofcourseitalsoreliesongravitationalpowertopackthe atomssocloselytogetherintogeometricpatternsthatfittogetherlikebuilding blocks,formingaverysolidsubstance.inbothofthesesubstancesthemolecules becomeboundtogetherinarigidstructure,likebricksinawall,asopposedtoour morefluidsofttissuecells. Red,Blood,Cells,

39 Redbloodcells(alsomadeinsidesomeofthebones),aremainlymadeof hemoglobin,anironicontainingprotein.hemoglobingivesredbloodcellstheircolor andissohighlyconcentratedinindividualcellsthatitalmostformscrystals.this crystallizingprincipleisastrongpartofthefirstchakrapower;packinginthe energyuntilitformsasolid.hemoglobinisanimportantproteininthetransportof oxygenandcarbondioxide;itutilizesthegravitationalpullofmuladharatoattract themoleculesitneedstofunction.redbloodcellsaremanufacturedinmyeloid tissue.betterknownasredbonemarrow.thisredbonemarrowisfoundmainlyin thesternum,ribs,andcranialbones,althoughafewotherbonesalsocontainsmall amountsofthetissue. ANNAMAYA,KOSHAandDIET Aswasmentionedintheintroduction,ourphysicalbodiesarereferredtoasannamaya-kosha,-threewordsthatareliterallytranslatedasfood,illusionandsheath. Ourphysicalbodyismadeofthefoodweeatintherealityofthisworld.Althoughit maybeanillusionwhenlookedatfromtheenergyperspective,fleshandbonedo havesubstanceandrequirefoodfortheirmaintenance. Fromtheviewpointofyoga,theprimaryfoodforthephysicalbodyisoxygen.Every cellinourbodiesrequiresthisfuel,hencewehaveaconstantneedforit.oxygenis oneofthemaincomponenetsinalmosteverychemicalreationinthebody.mostof theothernutritionwetakeinneedsoxygentobeutilized.everymoleculeof nutritionrequiresanatomofthissubstance,otherwisemetabolismcannotoccur. Fireneedsairtoburninexactlythesameway.Duringthelastdecaderesearchhas beendonetotryandestablishtheroleoxygendeficitplaysindegenerativediseases. Theresultsofthatresearchhaveshownbeyondanydoubtthatmanyofthemost commondiseases(likecancer)aredirectlylinkedtoalockofo2.oxygendeficitis consideredtobeoneoftheprincipalcausesofcellmalfunctionanddeterioration.as Dr.OttoWarburg,twoItimeNobelLaureateWinneroftheNobelPrizeforCancer Research,notes: Cancerhasonlyoneprimecause.Itisthereplacementofnormal oxygenrespirationofthebody scellsbyananaerobic(i.e.,oxygendeficient)cell respiration. Withtheoxygenweabsorbthroughourbreathcomesprana,thevitalenergywhich bothnourishesthenervoussystemandreplenishestheessentialforcesthatpower thebody.thoughthisconcepthasbeenunderstoodforthousandsofyearsinthe East,itisonlyinthelatterpartofthiscenturythatscientistshaverealizedthat thereareextraelectionsattachedtosomeofthemoleculesoftheairwebreath (ionized).theseareinfactthelittleelectricalchargesthatadduptomakeourvital force:prana.weabsorbthisforcewitheverybreathwetake.inaworldwherethe averagepersonisonlybreathingwithoneitenthoftheirlungs,wedonotgetenough

40 ofthisimportantenergy,nordoweobtainenoughoxygen.thiswechangewith yoga. Naturalfoodscomenextonourladderofnutrition.Naturehaslongprovidedus withalargevarietyofveryedibleanddeliciousproducethatisdesignedtofulfill ourbasicphysicalneeds.thesefoodscontainnutrientsintheformofvitalamino acids(vitiamin),proteins,carbohydrates,minerals,andevenprana.yogahas advocatedthevegetariandietforalongtime.somethinkthisdietmaynotprovide enoughproteinorhaveanadequatesupplyofthebvitamins.thesedoubtsarenot presentedbypeoplewhocomefromgenerationsofvegetarianism,butratherfrom thosewhocomefromameatieatingbackground.ourbodiesdobecomehabituated inthewaytheydigestfood,justastheyadapttomanyotherinternalandexternal conditions.becauseofthishabituation,aradicalshiftindiet,likegoingfromameat andpotatoesdiettototallyvegan,cancausediscomfort.aperiodofadjustmentis necessaryforthestomachandotherdigestiveorganstolearnhowtodigest differentfoods,aswellasforthepersoneatingtoknowhowtogainadequate nutrientsfromthenewdiet.proteindoesnotcomeinthesamedensitywith vegetables,asaresult,somehighiproteinvegetablesandgrains,butsandseeds, needtobeaddedtosupplythedailyneeds.manynewvegetariansdonottakethis intoaccountandfindthemselvesweakandlosingweight.thetypesofvegetable foodsthatsupplyproteininabundancearethelegumes,likebeans,peasandlentils. (Theseareeasiertodigestandgreatlyenhancednutritionallyifsprouted.)From soybeanscomesuchfoodsastofuandtempeh,bothveryhighinproteinandmuch easiertodigestthanmeat.greenssuchasspinach,broccoli,kale,wheatgrass,havea higherproteincountthanmeat.othervegetarianproteinsarenuts(almondsare especiallyhighinproteinandcalcium)andseeds(sesame,sunflower,pumpkin,etc.) Avocadosare15%protein,aswellassupplyingessentialfattyacids.Somegrains, e.g.,buckwheat,spelt,arealsohighinprotein. Someoftherulesforhealthylivingcanbethefollowing: Breathewellanddeeplytogainmoreoxygenandprana. Exerciseandmovementtokeepthebodyfluidcirculatingwiththenutrients. Eatliveorganicfoodsforvitaminsandprana. Includeproteininsufficientamounts:beans,tofu,seeds,nuts,etc. Addsomeherbsandteastodetoxify.Otherhelpfulfoodsarespirulina,wheat grass,powderedgreens,microhydrin,etc. Maintaingoodemotionalstatusbyincludingpleasurableactivities. Ifrightlivingisfollowed,thenitiseasytomaintainhealth.Inthismodernage, however,wealsoneedtoconsiderthepollutionfactor.somanyundesirable componentshavebeenaddedtotheairwebreathe,thewaterwedrink,thefoodwe eat,andeventoourteeth.mostoftheseadditiveshaveaverydetrimentaleffecton ourimmunesystemandourhealthingeneral.wecantakestepstoavoidsomeof these,othersweneedtoeliminatethroughcertainmeans.

41 Avoid:, Pollutedairandwater Processedfoodandanythatmighthavestrangeadditives Dairyandanimalproducts Sugar,particularlytherefinedtype. Overthelastcoupleofdecadesmany healing dietshavebecomepopularinour culture.mostoftheseareforcleansinganddetoxifyingthebodyoftheunwanted chemicalresiduesthatcomefromprocessedfoods.virtuallyeverythingweeatfrom normalgrocerystoreshasbeen treated insomeway,ifnotgeneticallymodified. Themajorityofpeopleeatwithoutthinkingabouttheresultsofputtingthese strangesubstancesintoanorganicbeing.asthisishappening,ontheonehand,we seeanalarmingriseindegenerativeand incurable diseases,ontheother.afew peoplearewakinguptoseetheconnection,butmostarestillsleeping. Thereasonmostpeoplearestillsleepinghastodowithoureducation.Whatwe leanedinschoolandwhatwearebeingtaughtnowdoesnotpresentacomplete pictureofhealth,butratheranongoingbattleagainstdisease.oneexampleofthis incompletepictureisthestoryofsugar.wheniwaslivinginl.a.inthe 70s,Iheard abroadcastreportaboutresearchthathadjustbeendoneontheeffectsofsugaron thehumanimmunesystem.thisreportstatedveryconclusivelythatwhenblood sugarwasatahighlevel,whitebloodcellswerewithdrawnfromcirculation, resultinginasuppressionofourimmunesystem.itwentontostatethattherewas enoughsugarinonebottleofpoptosuppressourimmuneresponseby40%.the effectlastedforaperiodoffourhours,thenbegantodiminish.notedalsowasthe factthattheeffectwascumulative,sothatifapersonhadtwobottlesofpop(ora largerbottle),theeffectonwhitebloodcellswas80%suppression.thatleftuswith a20%chanceoffightingoffanyinvadingbacteriaforthenextfourours.most peoplewhodrinkpopwouldprobablyhavesomeothersweettreatlater,likea chocolatebar,withtheongoingresultthatthebody sdefenseagainstdiseasewould bevirtuallydysfunctionalmostofthetime.theresearchhadbeendonebythe AmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA),andthereportbroadcastoveranFMradio station. AtthattimeIrealizedthistobeawonderfulconfirmationofmyowndietary experimentsofthepreviousyear.duringthattimeihadbeenplaguedwitha seriousinfectionofgangreneandaftermonthsoftryingdifferentfoodsandfasting, foundthesugarlessdiettobetheonethatpromptedaverynaturalandpainless healing.themedicalsolutionofthetimewastocutoffmylegassoonaspossible. Nowcomingbacktoeducation,IthoughttheAMA sdiscoveryaboutsugarcould haverevolutionizedthewesternapproachtohealing,asmyownexperiencehad changedmyview.however,ineverheardanythingaboutitagain.sugarmeanwhile remainsoneofthemainingredientsinhospitaldiets.

42 ORGANSOFPERCEPTIONANDACTION IntheSamkhyasystemofyogaourperceptionsandactionshaveallbeen categorizedsothatwemaybetterunderstandourselvesandhowwefunction.in Sanskrit,the organsofperception arecalledjnanendriyas;weknowthemas healing,seeing,touching,tasting,andsmelling.the organsofaction arecalled karmendriyas,andtheseweexperienceasourfeet,hands,anus,genitals,and larynx.thereisoneofeachconnectedtoeachofthechakras.

43 JNANEDRIYA Thejnanendriyathatfunctionswiththeenergyofthefirstchakraisthesense perceptionofsmell.asasense,smellpullsinmoleculesofacertainsubstanceand eitherattractsorrepelsus,dependingonwhetherwearesmellingaroseoraskunk. Eitherwayitisprimalandhasastrongimpact. Withthesenseofsmell,ithasbeenestablishedthatwecannoticethescentofarose ifthereisonlyonemoleculeofitsaromaenteringournose.withdogsandother animals,thesensitivityofthenosecanbeamazing,butbecauseofourenvironment andthemodernlivingconditionsofhumans,wenolongerpaymuchattentionto thissense. Anotherfunctionofthissenseasseenfromtheyogicside,isthatitalsoabsorbsa formofenergyfromtheair.thisenergy,calledpranainindia,whilethechinese refertoitaschi,istakeninthroughanelaborategroupofnervesstemmingfrom theolfactorybulb,(fig.1d).iwillelaborateonthedetailsbecauseitisavery importantpoint.weneedtounderstandhowourintakeofpranaworksandutilize itintherightway;thiswillhelpustograspwhybreathingthroughspecificmethods ofinhalingthroughonenostrilandexhalingthroughtheother.thesetechniquesare basedonadeepunderstandingofthedifferentenergycurrentsthatrunthrough eachnostril.oronecouldsaymoreappropriatelythatwhentheinflowofairis throughonenostrilithasachargingeffectononeaspectofthenervoussystem,and wheninhalingthroughtheother,adifferentpartofthenervoussystemis influenced.oneotherpointtomentionhereisthebiofeedbackloopthatis completedwhenweexhalethroughthenose.justastheolfactoryreceptorspickup smellandpranafromtheairwetakein,theyalsotakeinthescentsfromtheairthat iscomingoutofthelungs.thisinformationgivesanindicationofwhatisbrewing downinthere,allowingforbiologicaladjustmentstobemade.perhapsthelungsare fullofmucousthatneedstobeeliminatedforinstance;ifthisinfoisfedtothebrain, thebodywillreactaccordingly. Thesmellandpranareceptorsarelocatedatthebaseofthetinyhairs(cilia)located inthemucousmembraneatthetopofthenasalcavity.thereareabout50million nervefibersleavingthesmellmembranesoneachsideofthenose.theselinkwitha further50,000nervefiberswhichcarrymessagestothefrontallobesofthebrain, givingusanindicationofitsimportanceatthementallevel.theolfactorybulbisan extensionofthecortex,situatedimmediatelyabovethenasalcavity.fibersfromthe olfactorybulbpassintotheolfactorytract,whichbranchestovariousstructureson ornearthelowersurfaceofthecortex.itisnotablethatsomeofthesestructures areresponsibleforouremotionsandresponses.observehowquicklywereactto strongfoulsmells,almostinstinctively.thelargegroupsofnervesandtheir uninterruptedrouteintothebrainareprimarilyforenergyassimilation;theenergy pranagoesdirectlyintothebrainandnervoussystem.

44 Smellisthemostbasicandmostprimitiveofthesenses.Itissome10,000times moreacutethanoursenseoftaste.infact,mostfoodflavorsaresmelledmorethan tested.inaclassicpsychologicalexperimentdonedecadesagotheynotedtheability oftestsubjectstodifferentiatebetweenanappleandanonionwiththeirnasal passagesweretotallyblocked,andthesubjectscouldnottellthedifference. Similarly,thoughnottothesameextent,nasalcongestionpreventsthelittleeddies ofair,stirredupbytheactionofchewingandswallowing,fromreachingthe receptorsintheroofofthenasalcavity,andasaresultwehavemuchless flavor in ourfood.humansmellreceptorsarecapableofdistinguishingseveralthousand differenttypesofsmell.thenosealsoplaysanimportantroleinconditioningthe incomingairforthelowerrespiratorytractaswell.thisconditioningincludeste controloftemperature,thecontrolofhumidity,andtheeliminationofdustand infectiousorganisms. KARMENDRIYA Thekarmendriyaforthefirstchakraisthefeet.Whenwesmellsomethingvery strong,ourprimaryreactionswilloftenbetakeinwiththefeet,aswewalkaway fromtheskunkforinstance.(itmightevenbeourfeetwearesmelling).thisprimal urgetomovetowardssomethingorawayfromithastodowithmuscularreactions thataredirectlylinkedwiththeenergyofmuladhara.alsotobeconsideredisthe factthatourfeetareinclosestcontactwiththeearth.perhapsitisalittlelesstrue todaybecauseofshoes,floorsandconcrete,butinournaturalstateitisourfeet whichtouchtheearthstepafterstepaswewalkaroundontheplanet.becauseour feetarehemeansbywhichwe(usedto)travelaroundontheearth,theyare consideredtobetheorgansofactionconnectedtotheearthelement. Thescienceofyogahastaughtforthousandsofyearsthatourfeetarenotmerely somethingtowalkwith,butthattherearenerveterminalsinthesolesofourfeet thatareconnectedtoeverygland,organ,andpartofourbody(fig.1e).aswewalk alongtheearth,theseterminalseitherdischargestressfromthenervoussystem,or elsetheyabsorbsomeoftheplanet sgroundingenergy.whetherwearewalingon soil,sandorgrass,thereisanenergyconnectionwhichkeepsuswholeandkeeps ourenergyflowing.toalargeextentthisislostduetoourhabitofwearingshoes mostofthetime.inouryogapracticethereforeitisadvisabletotakethetimeto standfirmlyontheearthandimaginethatconnectionasifourrootsweregoing deepdownintothesoil allthewaytothecoreoftheplanet.

45 OneoftheotherpointsIwouldliketomakeisaboutthenaturalacupressurethat occurswhenwewalkonthesurfaceofthesoil,sometimesitisevennatural acupuncture.iamreferringtosteppingonsmallstonesorthornsthatinevitably findtheirwayintoourfeetwhenwedaretowalkintheforest.theareasofourfeet thatarethemostsensitiveareconnectedtotroubledareasofourbodieswhere stresslevelsaretoohightobehealthy.theseareasfeelpainfulwhenastonepushes upintothem,justaswhenareflexologistputspressureonthem.inthesameway thatthetherapist spressurecanrelivethestressintherelatedglandororgan,a barefootwalkinnaturecanbeverytherapeutic.infig.1r,ihavemappedoutsome generalareasandpointsthatarerelatedtobodyareas,organs,etc.thisisavery generalmap,aslaidoutintheyogachiketsasystemtaughtbyswamigitananda, includedheretogiveyouageneralidea.(thesepointsmaynotfitperfectlywith chartsfollowedbyareflexologistorothertherapistinthefield).

46 CHARACTERISTICS Therearebothpositiveandnegativecharacteristicsbornoutofeachenergyand manifestingaspsychologicaltraits.somemaybeconsistentandothersmaychange withthecyclesofthemonth,dayorevenhour.asaresult,wemayseeourselves havingboththepositiveandnegativequalitiesofaparticularenergy.habitscreated duringonephasewilllingerthroughthenextandsometimescreateconflicting behavior.alsotoconsideristhefactthatwearealwaysmadeofacombinationof forcesandinfluences. Someofthepositivecharacteristicsarisingoutofthisprimalenergyfloware individuality,originality,uniqueness,strength,creativityandapioneeringspirit.if theenergyisstuck,ornotflowingwiththeothers,itcanmakeone spersonality tendtowardsdominance,egoism,bluntnessofactionandspeech,andlackof considerationforothers. Whenthisenergyisflowingandbalanced: 1. Wearegroundedandcomfortableinourphysicalbody.Weenjoythe sensationsfromourmusclesandfeelmotivatedtowardphysicalactivity. 2. Ourphysicalenjoymentextendsoutintotheworldbywayofacquiring materialpossessions,whichgiveusafeelingoftangiblesecurity.thisenergy createsdesiretohaveahome,orbuildone. 3. Goodsurvivalinstinctsandstrongpersonalboundaries. 4. OurselfIimageisgoodandconfidenceisnormaltous;wefeeladequateand capable.wehavenoproblemlikingourselvesanddonotdoubtourrightto behereonearth. 5. Wemaintainasenseofhappinessaboutbeingactiveandsuccessfulinwhat wearedoing,andwearequiteokaboutbeingprosperous,whichwedefend ifneedbe.weliketomaintainaseadyincomethatsupportsstabilityinour lives.ourmaterialgoalsarefocusedandwedon tminddoingphysicalwork toachivewhatwewant. 6. Ifsomefothethingswewantareoriginalbutwecannotfindthem,we inventthem.asindependentbeingswecancreateandbuildthingsfromour owninsights. 7. Happytobealone,doingthingssolo,someofthetimeatleast Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. Maybeoverlymaterialistic;maygobeyondjustacquiringpossessions,allthe waytograbbingandstealingthem.

47 2. Bodycanbecometoughandtoosolid,stiff,perhapstooheavy.Lazinessand stagnationcanresult. 3. SelfIconfidenceturnstoselfIcenteredness.Weeasilydominateothers withoutnoticingwhattheyhavetosay. 4. Greedcandevelopasourindependencecausesustothinkmostlyof ourselves. 5. Theboundarieswehavedevelopedinthesocialworldbecomebarriers whichfewareallowedtotraverse.ourstrengthbecomesdefensive,likea fortress. Whentheenergyisweakanddepleted: 1. Stabilityandstrengtharelacking;itiseasttoloseourgroundandourcenter. Physicalhealthmaybeweak,andenduranceismissingwhenitcomesto strenuousactivities. 2. Wemightbeuncomfortableinthebody,andfinditeasiertositandthink aboutdoingsomethingratherthanactuallydoingit.wemightwanttospend moretimeoutofthebodythanit,whichcanleadustodaydreamsand fantasies,evenleadtooutiofibodyexperiences.wemightnotwanttobe hereatall. 3. Itmightbedifficulttomaintainourstanceinasocialsituation.Strong criticismfromsomeonecouldbeacrushingexperience.ifthishappenswhen weareyoung,itcandamageusforlife. 4. Fearofsurvivalbecomesprominent. 5. Doubtsassailthemind;webecomeparticularlypronetoselfIdoubt.Wefail toseeourownworth,whileourboundariesareweakorundefined. MENTALDIRECTION Thementaldirectionofthischakraisdown.Astheearthisdownunderyourfeet, soyourphysicalbodyisdownunderyourhead.atthelevelofthemindwefindthis energypullsintothebody,andfromtherewemoveoutintothematerialworldin whichthebodyisgrounded(orshouldbe).weseethoseobjectsintheouterworld thatattractusandstrivetogetthem.acertainpossessivenatureevolvesfromthis energy,butwithitcomestheabilitytoacquiretheobjectsdesired.theegogains muchofitsstrengthfromthisenergy,givingtheindividualasolidindependence thatcanleadonetoselficenteredthinkingandcanevendevelopintoadegreeof toughnessanddominance,sometimesattheexpenseofothers.aseachcellinyour bodyusesthisenergytomaintainitself,socollectivelythesetrillionsofcellsaddup tocreateaselfipreservationinstinctthatisquitestrong.oursurvivalashumans wouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthisinstinct,soithasitsplace.aswegrowup

48 andevolve,however,theinstinctneedstobebalancedoutwiththemoresociallyi considerateandcompassionateforcesoftheotherchakras. Thisisthecenterofourphysicalbeing,anditispossibleforourmindstogoinward toexperienceourexistencerightdownintothecellularandmolecularlevelsofour bodies.asindividualswefeelthatthebodyisindependentofwhatotherpeople aroundusarefeeling.youstandonyourownground,andistandonmine.butyou arenotjustontheground,youareinit.yourindividualconsciousnessiswithinour independentmindsittingsecurelyinthefortressofyourphysicalbody.youmay perceivealotoffeelingfromyourbodyifyouareconsciousofsomeofwhatisgoing oninthere.thinkingwillinterferewiththeobservationsofthesefeelings.where youareinthiscenterandyourphysicalbeingisintopcondition,movementswhich requireefforthaveanexhilaratingsidetothem.itfeelsgoodtogointo cardiovascularexercise,andwegreettheopportunitieswithenthusiasmrather thanresistance. Whenyoutakeadeepbreathanddirectlyperceivethatactionofbreathing,you havecreatedapersonalfeeling.feelyourselfinmotionandbegroundedinyour ownexperience;youarefeelingyourenergyinmotion.eisforenergy,andwhen youputitintomotionitbecomesemotion whichiswhatyoucallyourfeelings.at themuladharalevel,youcreateandexperienceyourownemotionsthroughphysical action.hereistheplacewhereweareinourcenterandfromwhichwemoveout intothefourdirectionsoflife sexperiencestodevelopourminds.itis

49 recommended,however,thatwereturnintothecenterandintegratetheselesions withinourselves.doingsoisnotsuchagreatchallengesinceitcanbedonewithina second,orwithonebreath.aneasymethodistotakeadeepbreathandfeelthe sensationsproducedbythatbreath.theexpansionandcontractionofthechestcan bephysicallyfeltinthemoment,bringingyoubacktothecenter,tothehereand now.yourphysicalbodyisyourfirstchakra,everycellbeingamanifestationofthe solidrealitywerefertoastheearthelement.althoughthisgravitationalforcehas itscenteratthetailbone,itsenergycanbefeltthroughoutyourphysicalbeing.any movement,exerciseorpracticewhichmakesyouconnectwithandexperienceyour ownsolidity,isagroundingpractice. TheMuladharasitesatthebaseofourspinewithitsfourpetalsopeningoutintothe fourdirections.eachoneofthesedirectionsisspecificallyrelatedtooneofthenext fourchakras.thisisnotjustinasymbolicsense,norisitacoincidence.atavery deepleveltheenergyofeachchakraresonateswiththeactualfrequencyandtypeof forcethatflowstoorfromthedirection.inthiswayweareinfluencedatan energetic,emotionalandmentallevelwhenwefaceeachofthesedirections. IntheMayansystemofyogathechakraswerelaidoutandexplainedwithregards tothefourcardinaldirections.theinitiateneededtogoonjourneysineachof these,inordertodevelopanunderstandingoftherealitiesinvolved.the journeys alsoledtophysical,emotionalandmentalcharacteristicsevolvingoutofour potentialsource andthisnurturedawisdomaboutlifeandthespiritualpurpose behinditall.theinitiateinthiswaybecameawiseman,orwhatwasreferredtoas a TruthMan intheirtradition.this True manwasonewhohadseenand understoodthetruthaboutlifeandthemultidimensionalrealityinwhichwelive.i wouldwellimaginethattherewerealso TrueWomen. ThepracticeofgoingonthesejourneyswasalsofollowedbytheNorthAmerican nativepeople,andsomeoftheirjourneys,tothesouth,tookthemintothelandof themayawheretheywereeducatedinthewaysoftheirsouthernbrothersand sisters.ofcoursethequalitieswhichdevelopedthroughthesejourneysarejustas presentinthechakraswhichunfoldasblossominglotusesalongthespineinthe Hindusystem. Theapproachmaydifferaswelookfromonesystemtotheother thevarious perspectivesmightevenleadonetoassumedifferentthoughts.butunderneath thoseviewswefindthattheconceptofthechakrasremainsasauniversalreality.in thetemplesofsouthindiaifirstobservedthehugetowersrisinguptotheheavens ineachofthefourdirections.whenivisitedthemayancityoftikalacoupleof yearslaterisawthesametemplestructurewiththesamerespectgiventoeach direction.yearslateriwenttoegyptandwasstruckbytheprecisionwithwhich theyhadalignedtheirpyramidsandtemplestothefourdirections.inthegreat KundalinitemplesofAngkorWatinCambodiathisorientationtothefourdirections isaconstantreality.

50 SothesefourpetalsofMuladharachakraaremorethanmereflowerpetals,theygo asdeepinmeaningasthedirectionsgobackintime.doweknowhowlongthe earthhasbeenspinningtotheeast?iwillbedescribingeachdirectioninthe appropriatechapter,relatedtoitschakra.thoughtheyaredifferent,theyareall connectedtothecenter thatbeingthefirstchakra.intheegyptianpyramidthe fourpetalsarefourtriangles,allbroughttogetherinonepoint,upwards.infig.1f wecanseethathecentraltowerisgoingup,abovealltheothers.letuskeepthisas areminderthatthemuladharacenteristhefoundationuponwhichtheother chakraenergiescancometogetherandriseup. THE,GUNAS, IntheEasternteachingsthereareconsideredtobethreemainforcesthatgovern lifeinthemanifestworld.thefirstoneiscalledtamasandislinkedtoinertia.the secondone,calledrajasisthoughtofasatypeofmomentum,sortoflikeaballthat startsrollingdownhill;itdoesnotjuststoponitsown.thismomentumcanbe appliedtoournervousenergyandeventotherollingthoughtsofdesireand fulfillmentwhichmotivateournormallives.thirdlywehavetheforceofsattva,a highermentalforcewhichcreatesourspiritualthoughtstreamsandisconsidered tobetheseedbankforthisworld.ofthesethree,thefirstoneisdirectlyconnected tothefirstchakra,sowecanelaborateonithere.rajaswillbeexplainedinchapter 3andSattvainchapter5. Tamo%guna,asitiscalledindividually,isthatforceintheuniversewhichkeeps thingsastheyare.withoutiteverythingwouldbeinacontinualstateofflux.the universeinitsgaseousstate,beforeitcondensedintomatter,waslackingtheforce oftamas.onceithassolidifiedhoweveritbecomesmuchmoredifficulttochange. Weoweourmaterialexistencetothisforce;itkeepsustogetherinawaythat preventsmeltdownanddeterioration.italsokeepstheworldfromerodingtoofast. WhatTamasdoesagainstusiscreateresistancetochange thatis,whenweneed tochange,asdescribedinthefollowing. THE,GRUNTHIS, Threemainbarriersareknowntobeinhibitingourawakeningenergyflow.These arelikethreeblocksthatstopourevolutionandkeepuslivinginourordinary consciousness,passingtimeawayinthematerialworld,eating,sleepingand growingold.oftheethree,oneisdirectlyconnectedtothemuladharachakra: BrahmaGrunthi.Thesecondone,VishnuGrunthi,isfurtherupthespineandrelated tothethirdchakra,manipura,whilethethirdone,shivagrunthi,isrelatedtothe throatchakra,vishuddha.eachoneofthesemustbeunderstoodasamajor resistancetoourdevelopment,andsubsequentlyweneedtotakeactioninorderto passthroughthebarriers.thesanskritwordgrunthiliterallymeansaknot.seenas

51 such,itneedstobeuntied,untangled.theseareareasinouretherealbodywhere theenergyhasbeenprogrammedintopatternthatitishardtogetoutof.changing thesepatternsmeansbreakingoldhabits. BRAHMA,GRUNTHI, Brahmaisthepower(deity)ofphysicalcreation.Becauseofthephysicalnatureof matter,orduetoitssolidity,ittakesoncertaincharacteristicsthatmakeitresist changesinmotion.inphysicsthisiscalledinertia.asanexampleofthisforce,takea largerboulderandtrytomoveit.alotofenergyandeffortarerequired.onthe otherhand,onceitisinmotion,trytostopit;thisrequiresjustasmucheffort. Inertiaandmomentumarebothattributesofmassandmatter.InSanskrittheycall thisresistancetochangetamas.itisoneofthethreeforcesweneedtocontendwith inthematerialworld.theothertwoarecalledrajasandsattva(theywillbedealt withintheappropriatechapters).resistanceisfoundnotonlyinbouldersbutalso inanythingwhichhassolidmass,includingourbodies.consequently,inthefieldof HathaYogaitbecomesaforcetobereckonedwithsinceitcreatesastumblingblock alongourspiritualpath.thenameofthatblockisbrahma%grunthi;thefirstmain barrier.thisobstacleisresistanceattheveryphysicallevel.wefellitasakindof inertiawithinthebody,whichwantstokeepthebodyatrest.theresistanceto movingiswhatwefeelwhenwewakeupinthemorning;thebodydoesnotfeellike jumpingoutofbedandrunningimmediately.likewise,whenwearesitting comfortablyandit stimetogetupandpracticesomeyoga,thereisoftenalittle sluggishoppositioncomingfromthebody.itcaneasilymakeusprocrastinate.willi powerandeffortarerequiredtoovercometheresistance. OneofthemethodsusedtoovercomethisresistanceisintheapplicationofMula% bandka,therootlock.here,theenergyispulledbackintothebaseofthespine.the processisbegunwithasimplecontractionofthesphinctermuscle,tighteningthe anus.theactioncanbeappliedtocertainbreathingandmovementpractices.later itprogressesintomoreelaborateandadvancedpractices(level2).thistechnique canhaveanawakeningeffectondormantforceswithinthebody(kundalini), sometimesarousingtoomuchenergywithinthenervoussystem,soshouldbe practicedwithmoderationinthebeginning.itisaverycreativeenergyandcan easilycreateamplifieddesireswhennotdirectedproperly.forthepurposeofthis courseitisgenerallyappliedwiththeexhalationofthebreathandsometimeson retentions.awarenessshouldbedirectedtofeelingthesphinctermuscleasit contracts,andobservingthecontainmentofenergyatthetailbone.visualizationof thefirstchakramandalacanbeaddedtothefeeling,sothattwosenseareinvolved simultaneously. YAMA/NIYAMA(EthicalRulesofConduct)

52 AsmentionedintheIntroduction,certainnaturaltendenciesarisewiththeenergies ofeachchakra,stimulatingactionsthatareprimalandnotalwaystoouradvantage onthespiritualpath.consequently,witheachchapteriwilldiscussoneofthemoral guidelinesandoneoftheethicalbehaviorsthatareappropriatetothatchakra.since takingandpossessingisacharacteristicofthefirstforce,wewillstarthere: YAMA:,Asteya(NonIstealing) Onemustnotstealthingsthatonedesirestohave,norshouldonedesiretohave thingsthatbelongtoanother.evenwhentheobjectsareapparentnecessitiesand thereisnootherwayofobtainingthem,oneshouldavoidstealing;itistooeastto rationalizeanddecidethingsarenecessary.weshouldunderstandthatallthings thataretrulyrequiredforlifewillcomeattherighttime.objectswhichare desirableforthepleasurestheygivearedistractionsatbest,soforthematerial worldtheruleisstraightforward:donotsteal.thiswillalsosavealotoftimeand energyotherwisewastedinscheminghowtoattaintheseobjects,nottomentionall thepretendinginvolved.onthespiritualpath,lossoftimeshouldbeavoided; consequently,onemustalsobecarefulnottotakeotherpeople stimeandwasteit. Thisissometimessosubtlethatmostofusareunawarethatwecontinuallytake eachother stimeanduseittotalkabouttrivia,e.g.theweather.sometimesofthe spiritualpathsilenceistoberespected.thereisalsoanothersubtlethief,theego, whichwilloftentakefameorcreditthatshouldgotosomeoneelse.oneshould thereforebeawareanddeterminedtotakeonlywhatisdeserved,andgivecredit andrecognitiontoothersaretheysodeserve. Holdingbackwhatoneowestoothersisalsothesameastakingfromthemwhatis rightfullytheirs.karmacomesfrominappropriatelackofactionasmuchasitdoes fromaction.ifyouholdbackwhateveryouoweothers,whetheritisobjects,time andattention,oreffort,youwillcausethemtodothesametoyou.remainonguard againstallthesetrickydesiresandgamesoftheegoandyoumayfindthatother peoplearealwaystherewheneveryouneedthem,withwhateverelseyoumight need.anyparanoiayoumayhaveaboutpeopletakingfromyouwillalsodisappear, sincefearsofthiskindstemfromthesubconsciousmemoriesofyourowndishonest behavior.behonest.thereisnoneedtostealbecausetheuniversealreadybelongs toyou. NIYAMA:,Swadhyaya(SelfIstudy) OneshouldpracticeselfIobservationinordertocometoabetterunderstandingof howtoimproveoneselfandlivemorefully.studyingemotions,thinkingprocesses, behaviorhabits,andanythingelsewhichispartofyourpersonallife,canonlybring adeeperunderstandingofhowthehumanmindnormallyworksthroughdesireand motivationoftheego.whydoyoudothethingsthatyoudo?forpleasure?for yourself?tohelpothers?tohinderthem?doyoureallyknowwhyyoudomanyof thelittlethingsthatarepartofyourdailyroutine?areyouawareofhowyoudo

53 manyofthesethings?welldone?halfdone?yourhandsaredoingonethingwhile youheadisthinkingofsomethingelse.howcoordinatedisyourthoughtwithyou action?howcoordinatedisyourthought,period?wheredoyouthoughtscome from? Theseandotherquestionsshouldbeasked.Weneedtobeabletodistinguish betweenpureintellectandselfishthinking.oneisobjectivethought,knowledge, inspiration.theotheralwayshaspersonalgainsattached,somerewardforoneof thesenses.therearetwolevelsofmindtobeconsideredalongthespiritualpath, whichwewilldiscussinchapter5.whenyouthinkaboutyourself,whattypeof ideasdoyouhave?whenyouthinkaboutotherpeople,whatkindofrelationshipdo youimagine?noticethatwheneveryouarethinking,thatis,puttingthingsinto wordsmentally,youbecomedividedintotwopersonalities:onetalking,theother listening.observewhenyouimagineyourselfinconversationwithotherpeople howyoumustplaytheroleoftheotherpeopleaswellasyourself.whatarethese otherpeoplelikeinyourfantasiesascomparedwiththeirbehaviorinreallife?how differentisyouwonbehavior?ifyouimaginethingsasdifferentfromwhatthey actuallyare,notethedifference;seeifyoucandiscoverwhyyoucannotputyour imaginedbehaviorintoaction.alsostudyyourbehaviorwithpeopleascompared withwhenyouarealone.simplybeawareofwhatyouarelikeinsideandout. Knowyourself.Thisknowingneedstobeappliedtofeelingsaswell,fromthemost physicalsensationstotheemotionaltointuitiveandspiritual.becomingawareof thephysicalsensationsthatarecomingupfromyourbodytoyourmindisoneof theexpansionsinawarenessthatneedstobefullyregardedinthisprocessofyoga. Itisadiscoveryofmanyphysicalfeelings,towhichyoumayneverhavepaidmuch attention.noticewhatneedstostretch,whatpartsofthechestneedtoexpandto getamorecompletebreath.wherearetheachesandpains?gettoknowjusthow yourbodyfeelsandraiseyourselficonfidencebydissolvingthenegativesensations andcreatinggoodfeelingsrightdowntothecellularlevel.emotionalfeelingsare alsoregisteredinareasofyourbody,soyouwillseetheserisingintoconsciousness, tobedealtwithfromyourpresentstateofbeing.thereisoftenalotofclearing requiredatthislevelbeforethehigherrealmsofintuitionandinspirationcanbe seeninabetterlight.observecarefullythementalinterpretationsofthefeelings thatcomeup;alotofmentalreiarrangingmayneedtotakeplace.takethetimeto dealwiththesethingsinanappropriatemanner.incountriessuchasindiaand Thailandithasbeenapracticeforthousandsofyearstostepoutofmainstreamand dedicatedspecifictimetoselfdevelopingthisknowledge.inthailanditisa requirementforeveryyoungman(thoughnoteveryyoungwoman)tospendsome monthsinthemonasterylearningaboutthemindandpracticingmeditation. HATHA,YOGA, HathaYogaisthetypeofphysicalexercisethatawakensanddevelopstheenergyin themuladharacenter.itconsistsofmovingtheenergydownatthebaselevelofthe

54 muscles.someofthatenergybecomeslodgedinthephysicalcomponentsofour being,likethemuscles,tendons,ligamentsandjoints,creatingasolidifyingeffectwe callstiffness.wecanlookatthisasanovericondensationofthefirstelemental force.withthestretchesofhathayogasomeofthisenergyisreleasedasthe musclesandtendonsareelongated,resultinginaliberationofenergywecanfeelas vitality.energythatisstuckinthemusclesastensionduetostress,forexample, thenbecomesaflowingelectricalenergythatcangivethesamemusclespowerto moveandact.wecaneasilyfeelthisshiftwithonlyashortroutineofgoodyoga, particularlywhenthebreathissynchronizedwithmovement. Thefreeflowingenergythroughthenervesandmusclesofourphysicalbodythen createsapositiveflowofenergyupintothebreathing(andmind),afeelingofwelli beingthatleadstoemotionalhappinessandbecomesasenseofblisswhenthe currentisstrongenough.infact,itistheblockageandinhibitionofthissameenergy flowthatcreateslowerstatesoffatigueanddepression.thisisseentobeeasily reversiblewithyogapractice. OneoftheformsofHathaYoga,whichisstillrelativelyunknown,isthatoftheHath YogaDandhals.TheseareveryoldIndianmuscleIbuildingexercisesthatdifferfrom WesterngymnasticsorbodyIbuildingprimarilyinthattheydonotconsistof thoughtlessrepetitions,buttheexercisesareperformedwithfocusonfeelingthe movements,andsynchronizedwithbreathingtechniques.themovementsare performedinsuchawaythatweexertourwillipowerandimaginationwhilewe observethemovingmuscleswithfeelingandsight,andwesendaflowofprana fromthebreathtothesemuscles.theseexercisesweredevisedwithoutpropsor aids,wheretheimaginationwasusedtovisualizeanactionsuchasthrowinga spear,liftingaheavyobject,orpullingbackonabowstring.theresistancefroma complementarymuscleinfactcreatestheeffortofthemuscle. Inmyownexperienceofworkingwiththesetechniques,theeffectsonthemuscles weresodramaticthationcegained6poundsin48hoursandthencontinued gainingapoundeachdayforthenext30days.admittedlyiwasquitethinwheni began,neverthelesstheexperimentandtheexperienceprovedtobeadramatic demonstrationoftheeffectivenessofthesedandhaltechniques.ididuserocksas weightstostarttheprocessandmakemefeelmymuscles. Foronetosucceedwithsuchtechniquesitisnecessarytoputinthetimetopractice, theconcentration,andtheeffortrequiredtodoitwell.severalhourswerespent practicingeachdayintheaboveexperiment. IntheChakraYogaSystem,theroleoftheasanasisconsideredimportantsinceitis thefoundationofthepractice,butpostures,flexibilityandstrengtharenotthefinal goal.theyarethesteppingstonesonwhichtostandwhilereachingforhigherlevels ofconsciousness,thoselevelsintheenergyworldwherethevortexesknownas chakrascanbeexperiencedandwebecomeawareoftheblissthesevibrant

55 energiescreate.inordertogenerateaflowofenergywiththepostures,breathand movementareadded,synchronizesthosewithmentalfocusonfeelingthewhole process. Energyiswhatanimatesandgiveslifetoourphysicalbeing.Indoingso,italso rechargesournervoussystem,replenishesourreserves,andrejuvenatesourglands andorgans.thispositiveenergeticeffectisachievedthroughstimulating circulation,whileincreasingtheoxygenandnutrientswhicharebeingcirculated. Paralleltothis,theprana(energy)isalsoincreasedandcirculatedthroughthe energybody(nerves).theresultisrejuvenationofthevitalsystemswhichsustain lifeinthebody.flexibilityoflimbsandjointsisalsoachievedbutconsidered secondary. Asthebodybecomesmorevitalandhealthy,theenergyflowingthroughitcreatesa feelingofpeacefulbliss,andthisblissbecomesthefoundationforhigher meditationalpractices. Active,Practice, BasicBreathTraining ADHAM%PRANAYAMA:AbdominalBreathing. Sitinvajrasana,thethunderbolt.Sittingupontheheels,thebackisheldstraight, headup.inthispositionpracticetheabdominalbreathing,adham-pranayama,by movingthediaphragmdownandup.feelthemovement.thismovementofthe

56 diaphragmpushesthedigestiveorgansdownandtheysubsequentlymoveforward duetotheelasticityoftheabdominalwall,causingtheabdomentobulgeoutlikea balloon.inthiswaytheairissuckeddownintotheinferiororlowerlobesofthe lungstofillavacuumcreatedthere.thediaphragmmusclemovesdownontothe digestiveorgansduringinhalationandbackupintothechestduringexhalation. Whentheairisexpelled,theabdomenispulledinaswell,thenavelbeingdrawnin towardsthespinesoastosqueezealltheairout.thismovementofthediaphragm muscleinthelowersectionofthetorsoprovidesamassageforalltheorgansinthe lowerbodyarea,stimulatingbetterfunctionofthoseorgans,goodcirculation,good digestionandelimination,andhealthiersexualfunctions. Themovementofthewholeabdominalareaactsasasecondheatpumpingthe bloodinandoutofthearea,aswellasthelymphaticfluids,providingthemotive forceforcirculationintheentirelowerbodyallthewaydowntothetoes.many physicaldisordersthatoccurbelowtheribcagecanbepreventedthroughthisform ofbreathing,andcanbehealedwhenthissimplebreathingisdoneincombination withvariousasanas,kriyas(movements),andproperdiet.thisincludesallthe digestiveorgansdowntotheintestinesandbowels,thereproductionorgansand prostategland;abdominalbreathingalsohasapositiveinfluenceonthekidneysand adrenalglands. Whenteachingstudentswhohaveproblemsinanyofthoseareas,thisabdominal breathingshouldbeincludedintheroutines,bothbyitselfandinconjunctionwith certainposturesandmovements.withthelowersectionofthebodyinagood healththenervoussystemintheareabecomesabetterconductor,andenergyfrom thefirsttwochakrasaccumulatesandbeginstoriseuptothebrainformental evolution. Sapurna%shashasana,theincompleterabbit.Fromthethunderboltposture,lean forwarduntilyourelbowscometothefloordirectlyinfrontoftheknees.thehead isheldup,shouldersarebroughtforwardtocompressthechestandforcethe breathdownintothelowerlobes.feelthepressureagainstthethighs.#28 Purna%shashasana,thecompletedrabbit.Herethehandsareplacedonthefloorin frontoftheknees,armsandbackarestraight,headisup.breathingisdirectedto boththelowerandmiddlesectionsofthelungs.#29 MADHYAM%PRANAYAMA:MidIchestBreathing. Sittinginthethunderboltagain,practicethemidIsectionofthebreath,Madhyam pranayama,sothattheribcageopensouttothesides.thiscontrolledmovement channelstheairintothemiddlelobesofthelungs,theribsmovingouttothesides likeanaccordionandoutwardinalldirections.thismotionpullstheairintothe middleareaaroundtheheart.expellingtheairhererequiresasqueezingeffortthat feelsabitunnaturalatfirstbutgoodtogetusedto,sinceexhalingcompletelyisjust asimportantasinhalingfully,inallareas.

57 Themassagingeffectisthusraisedfromthelowerbodyorganstotheareaofthe heartandthethymusgland.thethymusisinchargeofourimmuneresponse systemandcanbeeasilyreactivatedbythistypeofbreathing,inmostcases,while theareaaroundtheheartcanbeclearedoftheusualcholesterolandfattydeposits thatinevitablyleadtohearttrouble.thelungsthemselvesgetamassageand workoutwiththismovement.thecirculationoflymphthroughthebodyiscarried onpartlybymovementandpulsationoftheheartandarteries,butmoresobythe expansionandcontractionofthemidichestarea.thereisalsoaslightmassaging effectontheupperdigestiveorganslikestomach,liver,gallbladderandpancreas withthisbreathing.whentheareahasbeendetoxified,energybeginstochargeup thenerveplexusassociatedwiththethirdandfourthchakras,andmoveupfrom there. Whenteachingthisbemindfulthatitcancreateacleansingeffectonthelungs, whichstudentswillexperienceascoughingupmucous.peoplewithheartdisorders andimmuneproblemsshouldspendextratimefocusingonthismethodof breathing. Sapurna%ushra%asana,theincompletecamel,isdonebycomingupontotheknees toadeepinibreathandthenbendingbackwardswhileholdingthebreath.thebend isdonewiththeupperback,andthelegsstayperpendiculartothefloor.donothold long,justgobacktofeelthechestbeingstretchedandthenexhaleimmediately whilegoingbacktotheoriginalsittingposition.goodformovingtheairintothe abdominalandmidisectionofthelungs.#24 Purna%usthra%asana,theextendedcamel,isdonefromtheabovepositionby reachingbacktograbholdoftheheels.withtheheadhangingback,youinhale throughthenoseandblasttheairoutthroughthemouthvigorously,makingsure theribsaremovingoutandinusingmidichestbreathing.#25 Vyagra%asana,thetigerpose,isdonefromanallIfoursposition.Armsarestraight withhandsonthefloordirectlyundertheshoulders,kneesareonfootapart.asthe breathistakenin,thebackisbentdownwardsandtheheadbroughtup.care shouldbetakentobeginthebackbendfromthesacralarea.withtheexhalation,the backisarcheduphighandtheheadhungdownbetweenthearms.getthe movementgoingasfaraspossibleineachdirection.verygoodforlooseningthe wholechestareasothaticanmovewiththebreath;alsoquitebeneficialforallof theinternalorgans.#33 Thetigressisdonebychangingthemovementtothesides,exhalingtoeachsideand inhalinginthemiddle.theheadgoesrightaroundasiftolookatyourtail.trya variationholdingthebreathinwhilebendingtoeachside;thisstretchestheribsa littlefurther.#34

58 Comeuptoastandingpositionwithfeetapart.Takeadeepbreathinthestraight poseandexhaleasyoubendovertotheside.feelyourribcageasyoudothisand observehowtheribsarecompressedonthesidetowardswhichyouarebending, whiletheribsontheothersidearebeingspreadapart.comebackuptoan inhalation,thenexhaledowntheotherside.thearmcancomeupovertheheadto helpthestretchoneachside.tryitafewtimesoneachside.toextendthiseven furtheryoucandoitwitharetention.#109 FollowupwithafewlooseningIupmovements,including: Warriorchestexpansion:Standingwithfeetapart,inhaleasyourhandsandarms moveouttothesidesandaroundbehindyou,asifyouwereswimming.thenasyou exhale,thearmsrelaxandbend,handsarebroughtdownundertheshouldersand stretchedforwardwiththepalmsfacingupasifholdingwater.fromthereyou beginthenextinhalationbyturningthepalmsoutandmovingthehandsand straightarmsouttothesidesandaroundbehindyou.goodchestexpander,works themiddleanduppersectionsofthechesttoenhancethebreath.#95 ADHYAM%PRANAYAMA:UpperBreathing Sittinginthethunderboltonceagain,doafewroundsofAdhyam-pranayama,upper breathing.theairisdrawnintotheuppermostsectionofthelungs,upintothe clavicularlobes.thisisaccomplishedbyraisingthewholechestareaupwards,asif theneckissinkingdownintothechest.agoodwaytopracticeinthebeginningis withtheshoulderrolls,liftingthemupandbacktotheinhalation.thiscangreatly helptoloosenuptheupperchestarea,althoughparticularcaremustbetakennotto tenseuptheshouldersduringinhalation,nortoholdthemupduringretentions. Whenexpellingtheairitfeelslikethechestandshouldersaredroppingdownand theneckisstickingout;acertainamountofdownwardpressuremustbeexertedto actuallygetalltheairout.withenoughpracticeitbecomesaflowingupanddown motionthatcreatesaveryfulfillingfeeling;atthatpoint,onlythebreathingmuscles areusedwithouttheexaggeratedshouldermovements.obviouslythisbreathing willemostbeneficialtothehigherbodyregion,fromtheupperlungstothetopof thehead.thepulsationofthelungshereprovideanextraboosttothecirculationin theclaviculararea,affectingtheneckwiththethyroidandparathyroidglands,and continuingupthroughthevoicebox,tongue,mouthandentireheadarea.thebrain itselfisthemostenergizedandhighlystimulatedorganwhenthisbreathingis performed,somethingtoberememberedwhendoinganyformofintellectualwork. Disordersinthehead(fromheadachestobraintumors),canbealleviatedthrough properbreathinginthisarea,andoncethingshavebeendetoxifiedtheenergyflow fromthebreathwillbeamplifiedandempowertheopeningofthefifthandsixth chakras.

59 Nikunjasana,thebabypose.Fromapositiononallfourstheelbowsarebentsothat theupperchestcomestorestonthefloor.slideforwarduntilyouarenotonyour chinorneck.buttocksarehighupintheairandtorsoweightisonthechest;headis turnedtoonesidethentheother,whilebreathingdeeplyintheupperchest.iffeels asifeachbreathispushingthebodyupawayfromthefloor.thisstrengthensthe breathingmuscles,astheyareworkingagainsttheresistanceofthebodyweight. Phlegmandmucuscanalsomoreeasilybedrainedfromthelungsinthisposition. #37 Sharabasana,Thecricketposeisdonefromapositionsittingontheheelswiththe handsoutinfrontoftheknees.thebreathistakeninwhilecomingupandlifting therightlegstraightback,thenheldwhilegoingdowntotouchthefloorwiththe chin,bendingthearms;atthesametimethelegisliftedupashighaspossible. Alternatefromonesidetotheotherthreetimeseach.Goodforforcingtheairinto theextremitiesoftheupperlungs.nowtrythesamemovementwhileexhalingas youlowertothefloor;goodforsqueezingalltheairout.#30 Sarvangasana,theshoulderstand.Startwiththedoubleleglift,continueuntilyour feetareupoveryourheadandalmostdowntotheflooroveryourhead;nowplace yourhandsonyourbackforsupportandstraightenthelegsupward.breathefairly deeplywiththeupperchestandfeelhowtheairmovesinandoutofthisarea. #130 Matsya%asana,thefish,isdonefromacrossIleggedpositionbygoingbackontothe elbows,hangingtheheadbackuntilthetopoftheheadcomestorestonthefloor. Thechestisarchedup,andinthecompleteposturethehandsholdthefeet. BreathingisdeepandtendstogointothemidIsectionofthelungs.Rememberto squeezeoutasmuchairaspossiblebeforeyoutakeineachbreath.ifthecrossi leggedpositioncannotbedone,thentryitwithlegsstraightout.#32 NowsittingontheheelsorcrossIlegged,bringtheshouldersforward,upand around,breathinginastheshoulderscomeupandexhalingastheshouldersgo down.nowwhileholdingadeepbreath,movetheshouldersupanddown,forwards andbackwards.feelwhatisgoingonandinnovatesomemoves.verygoodfor looseningtheareaandexpandingthechest,allowingmoreroomforair. Mahamudraisamovementdonefromthethunderboltsittingpositionbytakinga verydeepbreathintheuprightposition,thenbendingforwardanddownwhile expellingtheair.handsareclaspedbehindtheback,andasyoubendforwardthe armsareraisedupashighastheycango.headisbroughttoapointwherethe foreheadcomestorestonthefloor.payspecificattentiontoexhalingalltheair, squeezingitout.whenyoucomebackup,trytotakeacompletedeepbreathas muchaspossible.onebigproblemmanypeoplehaveintheirnormalbreathing habitsisthattheupperlungsarenevercompletelyemptied,sotheycannotreceive freshair.asthmacomesfromthisproblemoveralongperiod.#38

60 MAHAT%YOGA%PRANAYAMA:CompleteDeepBreathing. Thisconstitutescompletedeepbreathingandisthebaseofmostofthebreathing techniquespracticedinthescienceofyoga.itcombinesthethreepreviousmethods ofsectionalbreathingtoformonecompletecycle,inhalationandexhalation,where thelungsarebothfilledandemptiedfromthebottomup.takethesamesitting position,invajrasana.theabdomenispushedoutasthediaphragmisloweredto pullairintothebottomofthelungs;thentheribcageisexpandedouttothesidesto fillthemidilungs;andfinallythewholechestisraiseduptopulltheairintothetop lobes.exhalationfollowsthesamesequence:thediaphragmisraisedandabdomen pulledintosqueezetheairoutofthebottomlobes;ribsarethenpulledintowards thecenter,forcingtheairupandout;finallythechestisdroppeddown,forcingthe lastoftheairoutofthetoplobes.trytomakeahabitofbreathinginthismanner,as itwillgreatlyhelptopromoteimmunityandincreasevitality youwillknowifyou practice.

61 Mukha%bhastrika,thecleansingbreath,isdonefromvajrasanabyexpellingthe breaththroughthemoutheitherinonerapid whoosh, orinaseriesofshort coughilikespurtsbyforcefulmovementofthediaphragm.whendoingbreathing exercises,ofanyphysicalexerciseormovement,carbondioxideisreleasedfromthe cellsofthebodyintothebloodstream.thiscleansingbreathisagoodwayto eliminateitfromthebloodviathelungsandmouth. GROUNDING,PRACTICE, Usedforsolidifyingourconnectiontotheearth,dischargingnegativeenergy(stress etc.),forstrengtheningour1 st chakra,personalstabilityandempowerment. Beginbystandingontheearth,preferablybarefoot,withfeetalittlewaysapartso thatyoufeelstableandbalanced.visualizeyournervoussystemastherootsofa tree,spreadingdownthroughoutyourbody,downyourlegsandfeet.nowextend andfeelthoserootsgoingdownintotheearth.imagineit,seeit,andfeelituntilyou sensethatyouareatree.lookatfig.1h,beforestartingifyouneed,tohelpyou imaginewhatitlookslike. NowwiththeinIbreathfeelastreamofenergycomingupthroughtheroots,upinto the1 st chakralevelofyourbody.holdthereandapplymulabandha.withthe exhalationletitgoandlettheenergyflowbackdownintotheearth.continuewith thisuntilyoufeelasrootedasalargetree. EKADASI%KRIYA:11Vday,activity Herewehaveaprofoundpranayamatechniquewhichtakes11daystoperformand isaimedatgoingdeeplyintothelayersofthesubconscioustoclearoutenergy blockages.mostofthesehavebeencreatedthroughemotionalexperiencesthat wereunresolvedinthepastandneedtobesettledtocreatepeaceofmindforthe advancedpracticesofyoga.isay most hereasageneralstatement;itdependsalot ontheindividualandwhatheorshehasexperiencedinlife.formany,blockages aremostlyemotionalinnature,butforsometheremaybealotofphysicaltrauma aswell.thenthereisthementalsidewhichmaybefulloffearsandstrange expectationsresultingfromallthemovies,othervisualimpressionsandallthe bad news wehaveread. Thisbreathingtechniqueisspecificallyforclearingoutthenervoussystem.Ifyou lookatthenervesaswiredwhichconnectthebraintothebody,youwillquickly realizehowmovingenergythroughthosewireswillhaveaneffectonboththebody andmind.infact,withthenewrealizationscomingthroughalternativetherapies thatinvolvebodywork,peoplearebeginningtoseehowmanyemotionalmemories areactuallystoredinthebody.asthingsarereawakenedyoumayfinditcommon tofeelasthoughyouarerelivingcertainemotionalexperienceswithout

62 understandingwhyyouarefeelingthewayyoudo.infact,oldphysicalpains(even toothaches)canreturnforadayorsoandthensubsideagain.donottakethese symptomsseriouslyatthistime,itisonlyyournervoussystemawakeninganold memory;bestnottoreacttoanythinguntilafterthe11days.formostpeoplethis maybeamoodyandfrustratingperiod,andinmanysocialsituationsyoumayseem irritable.yourmindmaybegoingthroughallkindsofconfusingthoughts,dreams maybewildanderratic;justallowitalltopassandmaybekeepajournalofwhat youaregoingthrough.youcandividetheyearsofyourlifeby11,andlookfora chronologyofeventstocomeupinsequencefromthedifferentpartsofyourlife. Thefirstdaywillbethefirstfewyearsoflife,thenextdaywillbethefollowingfew years,etc.,untiltodayisreached.foraneasyexample,whenyouare33yearsold, dividingby11givesyouthreeyears eachofwhichwillberepresentedbyoneday. Ondayone:ages0I3,ondaytwo3I6etc. Tobenefitthemostfromthisprocedure,itneedstobeperformedwelland accurately.firstofallonemustknowhowtobreathedeeplyandcorrectlyinall thesesectionsofthelungsusingmahat-yoga-pranayama,completebreathing.itis doneasasequence,bybreathingindeeplytoasixcount,twocountstoeachsection ofthelungssothatyouendupcompletelyfilled.followthisbyasimilarexhalation throughthethreepartsuntilyouarecompletelyempty Irepeat,completely empty.itisveryimportanttosqueezealltheairout,atleastasimportantasfilling upcompletely.immediatelygointothenextinhalationandcontinueuntilyouhave takenthethirdsuccessivebreath,andholdthatoneforaslowninecount,atleast. Atthispointyoumustknowhowtodoaproperretention,withrelaxedchestand shoulders.thenyouletthebreathoutanywayitwantstocomeout.pause momentarilyifyouwish,withoutbreath,beforebeginningthenextnumber sequence. Takethreesuccessivebreathsandholdthethird. Takefivesuccessivebreathsandholdthefifth. Takesevensuccessivebreathsandholdtheseventh. Thisiswhatmustbedoneonthefirstdayofthetechnique.Ontheseconddayyou repeatthiswholesequence,(3i5i7),twotimes.onthethirddayyoudoitthree times.keepaddingthemupdaybydayuntilyoureachtheeleventhday.itmight takeyouonlyfiveminutesthefirstday,butbytheendittakesanhourormore, dependingonthelengthofyourretentionsandpauses. Thetimeofpracticingthetechniqueshouldbethesameeachday.Forthefirstfour daysatleast,itcouldbedonetwiceadaytogettheprocessjumpistarted.following thatitisacceptabletodoitonlyonceperday. Whileitisbeingdonetwiceadaythereneedstobeaminimumofsixhoursbetween times,otherwisetheywilladduptothewrongnumberofroundsforthatday. Anotherthingtoconsiderwhendoingthisbreathingtechniqueisthetimecycles

63 youarein.tomakeitmosteffectiveitshouldbedoneattherighttimeofyearfor thelatitudeinwhichyouare,andshouldbestartednoa1karmicreactivecycle. ConsultaYantraYogiforyourbesttime.Whendoneingroups,thepersonalkarmic cycleneednotbeapplied,asthegroupinfluenceisstronger. Thetechniqueworksbystimulatinganenergyflowthroughthethreemainareasof thenervoussystem.insanskritthesearecalledida,-pingala,andshushumna,and theycorrespondroughlytothesympathetic,paraisympathetic,andcentralnervous systems.intheyogicsystemtheenergyflowsareconsideredmorerealthanthe nerves,sothatmostofthesanskritterminologyisnottalkingaboutthenervesbut rathertheflowsconductedbythosenerves.energytravelsthroughthesystemin impulses,sowhenyoutakethreebreathsitmakesthreeimpulses;likewisethefive andseven.thesespecificnumbersofimpulseswilldirecttheenergytospecific areasandcreatethedesiredresults(timetestedandapprovedoverthelastseveral thousandyears).nowyourtestistoperformthisexperimentandmake observationsonyourmind,emotionsandbody. Afterthe11daysareover,itisnecessarytostopdisturbingeffectandbalance thingsout.savitribreathingtechniqueshouldbedoneforaminimumof20minutes, twiceadayforseveraldays,soastoaccomplishthisbycalmingdowntheenergies churnedupwithekadasi.ekadasicanbedoneeverythreemonths. Muladhara,Chakra,Routine, Theexercisesfordevelopingthefirstchakrawilltendtoputyouintouchwiththe mostphysicalpartofyourbeing.someoftheseexercisescomefromthehathayoga Dandhaldepartmentandareforthepurposeofbuildingandstrengtheningthe musculature.musclesaredirectlyconnectedtothisenergy,soworkingwiththe variousmusclesandfeelingthemintheirstrengthisakeytocenteringatthislevel. Itsenergyfeelslikegravity,theearthelement,apullingtogethertowardsthecenter. 1. Sittinginvajrasana,thethunderboltposition,dothreeroundsofcleansing breath. 2. FollowthiswiththeAIUIMdonewiththethreesectionsofbreathing. 3. Sevenroundsofcompletedeepbreathingdonewithfullattention. 4. Warmupwithsometigerandprancingtiger.#33,35

64 5. Squatsdonefromastandingpositionwithfeetapart.Inhaleatthelower positionandpushoutthebreathasyoupushyourselfup.continueuntilyou feeltheeffort,andthemusclesinyourlegsstarttofeelfatigue.followwith severalroundsofbreath.nowsinglesquatsoneachside. 6. Fromthesamestandingpositionbendforwardwiththebackstraight,with yourhandsonthefloorgofromonefoottotheother,feelingthestretchfrom thekneesupintothetailbone.thiswillstretchoutthemusclesthathave justbeencontracted,therebydeistressingthemandpreventingstiffness.# ImaginaryweightIlifting,usingthearmstolifetheweightupfromthe shoulderstillthearmsarestraight.pushoutthebreathasyoupushup,feel musclesworking.shakeoutthearms. 8. Stillusingtheimagination,dosomecurlsandtricepsmoves. 9. Rapidtwistingwithemphasisonexhalation.Armsareflungaroundyou.# BringyourselfbacktofeelingthemusclesanddotheimaginaryspearI throwing.feelallthemusclesofthebodytighteningasyoudothisinslow motionwithdeepbreathing.loosenupwithsomebouncing. 11. Onecleansingbreathfollowedbyvigorousabdominalbreathing,mulabandha,maybeaddedtothis. 12. Ekapada,%dwi%pada%uttanasana,singleanddoubleleglifts.Lyingdownon yourback,dosingleanddoubleleglifts.thenbringonelegupandcrossit overthebodytobringthefoottothefloorbesideyou.shouldersstayflaton thefloor.inhaleontheupiliftandexhaleonthedown;continuebreathing deeplyifyoustaydown.#54,57, Paschimottanasana,theforwardstretch.Youpullyourheaddowntoyour kneesfromthesittingposition,exhalingasyoudoso.inhaleup.addsome movementandvariationsifyoulike.# Navasana,theboatposture,isdonebysittingupfromthelyingdown position,straighteningthelegsandback,liftingthelegsupuntilthetoes comeintoalignmentwiththenose.holdthepositionandbreatheasdeeply asyoucan.# Nava%Kriya.Therowboatisliketheabove,butthenyougrabanimaginary pairofoarsandtrygoingacrosstheriver;threestrokestotheinibreathand threetotheoutibreath.#62

65 16. RollontoyourstomachanddopushIupseitherfromthetoesorfromthe knees.againyoupushupthebodyasyoupushoutthebreath.doasmanyas youcan,followedbyrestingwithyourheadturnedtooneside,withvery deepbreathingandretention. 17. Dobhujangasana,thecobra,withaturntoeachsidefromtheupposition. # CometoacrossIleggedsittingpositionanddoaspinaltwist,goingsideto side. 19. Sittingwithastraightback,breatheintheratioof8I8I8,beingsurethatthe 8Icountretentionisdonewiththechestandshouldersrelaxed.Mulabandha, therootlock,isappliedheretoo.whileitisappliedandthebreathisheld, tenseupthemusclesyouhavebeenworkingwithandfeelthegravitational forceofthefirstchakra. Polarization, Followwithrelaxationintheformofpolarization.Lyingdowninastraightlinewith headtothenorthandfeetsouth,wiggleyourfeet,handsandheadarounduntilthey cometorestinacomfortableplace.thenbeginbreathingtothesavitrirhythm, findingapacethatisappropriateforyou(8i4i8i4isideal,unlessyouaredoing Ekadasi,inwhichcaseyoudroptheretentions).NowwiththeinIbreathfeelawave ofwarmgoldenenergycomingthroughyoufromtheheadtothefeet,andrightout throughthefeet,(fig.1i).withtheexhalation,imagineandtrytofeelaflowofcool silveryenergycomingupthroughyourfeet,passingthroughyourlegs,torso,upand outthroughyourhead.withtheheldiinorheldioutbreath,yousimplyextendthe distanceoutwardbeyondyourheadorbeyondyoufeet.continuethisprocessfor15 minutes.attheendofthattimeyourelaxthebreath,andsimplyfeelyourself, pluggedinandhighlyenergized.breathingshouldbeverydeepformaximumeffect. Youmanalsoimaginetheseenergyflowsinotherwaysthatareappropriatetoyou. Theimportantthingistostayintouchwithfeelingtheflowsweepbackandforth throughyourbody.everycellinyourbody,everymolecule,atomorquantum,has itspolarity.thisispartoftheuniversalstructureofthings.bythisprocessof

66 sweepingtheenergytoandfro,adjustmentsandrealignmentoccuratthecellular andmolecularlevels;also,ofcourse,inpranamaya-kosha,theenergybody.inany areaofthephysicalbodywheresomethingisoutofalignment,thereisablockageof energyflow,andthisiswhereproblemswilldevelop.thistechniquecanbeusedto alignthefivebodiesandbringmanyaspectsofyourbeingintoalignmentandinto harmony. Muladhara,Technique, SittinginacrossIleggedposture,fulllotusifpossible,beginbysettingyour breathingpatterninsavitri.nowwiththeinibreathvisualizeandfeelenergy comingdownfromtheuniverse,throughyourbodytothebaseofthespineand fromtheremovingforwardseveralfeetinfrontofyou.allowtheenergytomovein anarcratherthanstraightperpendicularlines.withtheheldiinbreath,feelthe energycontinuingtoflowthatwayandfillingalargetriangleorlotuspetalinfront ofyou,(fig.1j).ontheoutibreaththeenergyispulledbackintothebaseofthe

67 spinewithaprogressiveapplicationofmula-bandha.withtheheldioutbreath,the bandhaisheldtightlyasyouvisualizealltheenergybeingdrawnintothispoint.if youwanttoadvancethetechniquealittlefurther,youcanaddfourwaveilike contractionstothemula-bandhaasyouholdoutforacountoffour. Withthenextbreathyoumovetheenergyfromabove,downthroughyourbody againandouttotherightsideofyou,fillingupthetriangleorlotuspetal,holdand thenpullitbackinasabove. Thethirdbreathbringsthewholeenergymovementdownandbehindyou,then backintothebaseofthespine. Thefourthbreathtakesitouttotheleftsideandbackin.Thenyoucontinuegoing aroundyourselfinaclockwiserotation,eachbreathbeingonofthedirections.once youarefamiliarwiththemantras,youcanaddthemtoeachofthedirectionsas well.(level2) Forthetimebeingpracticeonestepatatime,firstregulatingthebreath,then addingthevisualizations,thenthefeelings.

68 SYNOPSISofMULADHARACHAKRA ELEMENT:Earth YOGA:HathaYoga GENDER:Masculine FORCE:Gravity MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:Down YANTRA,SYMBOL:YellowsquareinfourIsidedmandala

69 ENERGY,COLOR:Red SOUND:Lung SENSE,PERCEPTION:Smell ACTION:Feet NERVE,PLEXUS:SacralPlexus PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Gonads ORGANS:Muscles OTHER:Bones PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, Individual Original Pioneering Independent Strong Witty NEGATIVE:, Dominant SelfIcentered Demandingofattention Unsympathetic Materialistic Crude

70

71 ,, CHAPTER,2, Swadhistana,Chakra, Dwelling-abode-of-the-Self- Swadhistanaistheenergyofcohesion,aforcethatgentlypullstogetherand unites. Atthemolecularlevelitcreatesthebondsbetweenatomstomakethe moleculesofalltheknownsubstancesinnatureaswellasinthesynthetic world.

72 Itisaflowingenergythatallowsflexibility,adaptabilityandchange.This energy,addedtothesolidityofthefirst,generatestheabilitytomove, creatinglivingmatterratherthanrock.attheuniversallevelitcreatesthe flowingorbitsofmoonsaroundplanets,andofplanetsaroundsuns.itisthe movabilityoftheentiresystem. Atthephysiologicalleveltheenergyofthesecondchakracreatesbonds betweenhemoglobinando2andco2,andamongvariousnutrients,tocreate proteinandcomplexmolecules.aswell,itisresponsibleforthousandsof chemicalbondswhichoccurattheneuroipeptidelevelofbodyandbrain chemistry. Atapsychologicallevelthisforcepullspeopletogethertoshareenergy, emotions,ideasetc.itisthesocialenergyonwhichsocietyisbased. ELEMENT, Water=theenergy/powerofcohesionorcovalence.Likethefirstelementalforce, thewaterelementalsoattracts,butisamuchmoreflexiblemolecularforcethat bondstheoxygenandhydrogenatomstogetherinordertomakeawatermolecule. Thisenergypullsorattractsatomsthatareofcompatibleenergyfieldsandbonds themtogetherinavarietyofmolecules,(includingwater).thecombinationcanbe rearranged,wheretheatomsareinterchangeable.forinstance,thehydrogeninthe watermoleculecanbereplacedbycarbontomakeco2.thesameforceappliesin hemoglobinwhenitsironmoleculesgiveupoxygenandtakeonco2,aprocessthat iscontinuallygoingonwithinourbodychemistry. Water,thesecondelementalforce,iscalledApasinSanskrit,orApanawhen referredtoasaprana.herewearelookingatamoresubtlepowerthanthefirst,yet itsoverallenergyisresponsibleformuchofwhatwefindinnature.thiselementis accountableformostofthecompoundsubstancesthatmakeuptheworld.veryfew

73 thingsweseeandexperiencearemadeofsimpleelements;almosteverythingis madeofcombinations.thesecomplexarrangementsofatomsintomoleculesareall heldtogetherbytheforceofcovalence,avariableandpliablebondthatkeepsthe elementsinrelationforawhile,yetsimultaneouslyallowsformotionandflow.in thetheoryofchemistrythisfluidarrangementoccurswhencompatibleatomsshare someoftheirelectrons. Everythingfluidinnatureiscontinuallyinmotion.Thingsdonotfallapart, however,astheyareheldtogetherinabondthathasacertainstrengthandyeta flexibilitythatallowsustomoveandplantstobendinthewind.watermakesup80 to90%ofplantandanimalbodies.thefactthatwatermoleculessticktogether, formingapoolorevenadropofwater,isadirectresultoftheattractingenergyof thesecondchakra.cohesionisafundamentalcharacteristicofthisforce,without whichwemightonlyhavesomewatervaporintheair.initsfreestatewaterlikesto remaininmotion,acharacteristicthatweseeintheoceanasitforeverflowsfrom shoretoshore.itispartofaperpetualdancethatweseeinnatureandsometimes feelwithinourselves.whenthetemperaturedrops,watermoleculesfitthemselves intoapatternofsixasseeninanysnowflake,orinthefreezingwatercrystalinfig.2 bontheleft.the60degreeanglereflectedbytheseflakesisademonstrationofa geometricreality,onewhichgivesusthematerializationoffluid.inthefirstelement theangleofintersectionoftheelectromagneticlines(waves)measures90degrees, whileforthesecondelementthatangleis60degrees.thelesseninganglestakeus fromsolidtoliquid.

74 Thiselasticcovalentbondgoesbeyondwater:itisthesamebondwhichmakesup mostofwhatwesee,woodandeveryplant,peopleandeveryothercreatureare composedofandsustainedbythesecondelementalforce.swadhistanaisthe nurturingpowerthatbringslifetomatterbyunitingthebuildingblocksofthefirst chakraintoworkingcombinationsthataremoldable,variableandforeverevolving intonewlifeforms. Justasatomsshareelections(someoftheirenergy)whentheycometogether,sodo peopleshareenergywhentheycomeintorelationshipwithoneanother.thissocial elementisoneaspectofswadhistana,andwillbediscussedfurtherinthesectionon mentaldirection. Theenergyvortexofthesecondchakrarevolvesaroundthehypogastric,plexus. Althoughitsenergyreachesdowntothesacralarea,itscentercanbefeltabovethe sacrumanditismuchmoreactiveandconstantlyflowingthroughouttheabdominal area.inthisregion,thehypogastricnervesaremonitoringanddirectingmanyofthe secondaryaspectsofdigestion,suchastheabsorptionofnutrientsfromthe intestines.itisaverysensitiveplexus,highlyreceptivetoallinternalprocessesand providesconsciousandsubiconsciousfeedbacktoourbrain.itthushasalottodo withhowwefeelphysicallyandemotionally.thisvortexhasdirectconnectionsto theendocrineglandsknownastheadrenals.thiseveryalsoinfluencesallofthe bodyfluidandanyorgansthatdealwiththesefluids. ENDOCRINEGLANDS Theadrenal,glandsaresmallcurvedglandslayingoverthetopofeachkidney. Althoughtheyappeartobejoinedtothekidneys,theyareseparateglands.Each glandsappearstobeoneorgan,thougheachoneisactuallymadeupofanouterand aninnerpart,weighingabout¼ounceeach(7grams). Theadrenal,medulla(innerpartofzonaglomerulosa)isanagentofthe sympatheticnervoussystemstimulateddirectlybynerveimpulses.inyogathispart ofthenervoussystemiscalledpingala,andisconsideredtobethesolarcurrent; thatis,theactiveforcethatstimulatesactivity.theadrenalmedullasecretesthe neurotransmittersepinephrine(adrenalin)andnorepinephrinedirectlyintothe bloodstream.whenthesympatheticnervoussystemreactstointenseemotions, suchasfrightoranger,largeamountsoftheseneurotransmittersarereleased.this maycausea fightorflight reaction,inwhichbloodpressurerises,thepupils widen,andbloodisshuntedtothemostvitalorgansandtheskeletalmuscles.the heartisalsostimulated. Theadrenal,cortex(theouterpart,orzona-fasciculata)isstimulatedby adrenocorticotrophichormone(acth)sentoutfromthepituitarygland.it

75 respondsbysecretingtwohormones,cortisolandaldosterone.theyhelpthebody respondtostressbyrebalancingtheenergylevelsandareessentialforlife.cortisol, anenergygenerator,regulatesconversionofcarbohydratesintoglucoseanddirects reservestotheliver.italsosuppressesinflammation.aldosteroneregulatesthe mineralandwaterbalanceofthebody.itpreventsexcessivelossofsodium,andby sodoingpreventsthelossofwaterthroughthekidneysandmaintainsthebalance betweensodiumandpotassiuminthebloodstream,subsequentlyinallcells throughoutthebody.thisbalanceisimportantforallcells. IdaNadiistheenergychannelrelatedtothisphenomenon,knowntohavea relaxingandhealingeffectonbodyandmindwhenitisflowing. OTHER,PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS, Kidneys, Thekidneysareresponsibleforfilteringtoxins,wastes,ingestedwater,andmineral saltsoutofthebloodstream.theyarealsoresponsibleforregulatingthephfactorof thebloodbyexcretingalkalineoracidsaltswhennecessarytomaintainbalance. ThetwobeanIshapedorgansarelocatedintheposterior(back)partofthe abdomen,flankingthevertebralcolumnapproximatelybetweenthetwelfth thoracicandthirdlumbarvertebrae.withinthekidneyarethefiltrationunitscalled thenephrons,ofwhichtherearemorethanamillionwithineachkidney.ingeneral, blood,whichpassesintothekidney,transmitssolublewastewhichfiltersthrough thenephrons,andtheliquid,calledurine,ispasseddowntheureterandintothe bladdertoawaitdischarge.sometimesthemineralsaltsfilteredoutcanprecipitate andsolidifyintostonestoolargetopassthroughtheureter.inordertoprevent theseconditionalsitisnecessarytoworktheareaofthesecondchakrasoasto increasecirculationofthefluidswithintheglandsandorgans.inyogathereare veryeffectivemethodsofputtingpressureonthekidneysandreleasingthebuildi up,withtheresultthatthestonesgetflushedout.theseneedtobedone periodicallyasameasureofpreventativemaintenance. Lymphatic,System, Thelymphaticsystemanditsfluidaredirectlyconnectedtothesecondchakra.A subsystemofthecirculatorysystem,thelymphaticsystemcollectsinterstitialfluid andrecyclesittotheblood.itisconsideredtobepartofthecirculatorysystem sincelymphcomesfromthebloodandreturnstothebloodbywayofthelymphatic vessels.lymphcarriessomenutrientsaroundthebody,especiallyfat.italso distributesgermifightingwhitebloodcells;thisdistributionisoneveryimportant partofourimmunesystem.lymphresemblesplasma(theliquidpartofblood),but ismoredilutedandcontainsonlyabout5%proteinsand1%saltsandextractives.it isformedfrombloodplasmaandotherbodyliquids,(calledinterstitialfluidor tissuefluid),thatispresentinthespacesbetweencells.someoftheinterstitialfluid

76 goesbackintothebodythroughthecapillarymembrane,butmostentersthe lymphaticcapillariestobecomelymph.alongwiththisinterstitialfluid,thelymph alsopicksupanyparticlesthataretoobigtobeadsorbedthroughthecapillary membrane.theseincludecelldebris,fatglobules,andtinyproteinparticles.the lymphthenmovesintothelargerlymphaticvesselsandthroughthelymphnodes andeventuallyentersthebloodthroughtheveinsintheneckregion.withinthe lymphaticductsystemarealargenumberofoneiwayvalveswhichallowthefluid tocirculateonewayonly,ensuringthatthereisaperiodicpassagethroughthe nodesandspleenforfiltration.thelymphaticsystemisthusasecondarytransport system.fig.2cgivessomeindicationofhowextensiveitis.lymphhasnopumpof itsown,however,andthusitsflowdependsonpressurefrommovementofthe muscles.therefore,physicalmovementisrequiredforitscirculation,suchaswe haveinsomeflowingformsofhathayoga,taichianddance.withtheyoga posturesandcertainamountofpressureisputontospecificregionsofthebody, targetingcertainglandsandorgans.thepressurepushesoutthefluids,ormoves themalong,thenwhenthepressureisreleased,circulationresumeswithfresh bloodandlymphenteringthearea.thelymphaticfluidismovedalongbythe motionandpressureinonedirectiononlybecauseofsomeoneiwayvalveswithin thelymphaticsystem.withthereleasecomesaflowoffreshfluidalongwithsome interstitialfluidwhichhasbeenforcedfromthespacesbetweenthecells.theeffect createdislikeaflushingofourinternalsystem. Thespleeniscloselyassociatedwithboththecirculatoryandthelymphatic systems.itisanabdominalorganwhichliesontheleftsideofthebodybehindthe stomachandclosetothediaphragm.itplaysaroleinthequantityoflymphocytesin

77 theblood,andintheproductionorprogrammingofsomewhitebloodcells.itisalso involvedintheremoval(filtering)ofbloodcellsandbacteriafromtheblood. Becauseofitslocation,movementofthediaphragmdirectlyinfluencesit, particularlywhenwedodeepabdominalbreathing. Lymph,nodes,orlymphglandsastheyaresometimescalled,aresmalloval structuresnormallythesizeofsmallkidneybeans.theygenerallyarelocatedin clustersnearveinsatstrategicpointsalongmediumisizedlymphvesselsatthe knee,elbow,armpit,groin,neck,abdomenandchest.thefluidpartofthelymphis cleanedandfilteredinthelymphnodes,andgermifightingcellswhichresidethere aregatheredinquantitiesduringillness.thisfiltrationprocesshelpsprevent bacteria,cancercells,andotherinfectiousagentsfromenteringthebloodand circulatingthroughthesystem.thelymphnodesarethecentersforproductionand storageofsomeofthewhilebloodcells,namelythelymphocytesandmonocytes, whichareimportantelementsofthebody simmunemechanism.duringinfection, thenodesenlargeintheirarea,duetothemultiplicationoflymphocytesinthenode. Itisimportanttokeepcirculationactiveduringthistimeandevenmoreimportant tokeepahighlevelofoxygeninthebloodandlymphtoassistinthebattle.the oxygenisanautomaticboosterforthewholeimmunesystem.deepbreathingand movementneedtobeappliedonceagain.theotherpointtorememberisthatthe lymphocytescannotfunctionwhenbloodsugarishigh. Liver, Theliveristhelargestofthebody sorgansandisresponsibleforseveralimportant functions,nottomentionhundredsofothers;accordingtosomemedicaltextsover fivehundredhavesofarbeenidentified. Oneoftheveryimportantfunctionsoftheliverisdetoxification.Therearea multitudeoftypesofdetoxthatitperforms.ithastheabilitytotakesubstancesthat arequitepoisonousandrenderthemharmlessthroughsomekindofchemicalrei configuration.thinkofthemoleculesasachild sbuildingblocks,whichcanbe arrangedandrearrangedintomanydifferentstructures.thismolecularcombining istypicaloftheenergyofthesecondchakra,utilizingthatpowertorearrangeand recycleinnumerablemolecularpiecesoftoxicorwastematerialintouseful nutrients,sothatweinfactrequirelessfromtheoutside.consequentlyitis consideredquiteimportantinyogatokeepthisorganfunctioningandtohelpit alongwithvariouspostures,movementsandbreathingtechniques.itisunderstood inyogathatwhenthisorganisfunctioningatpeakefficientlyitbecomeslikeour ownvitaminshop.intheyogicviewitisconsideredquitepossibleforthisamazing organtorecombineaminoacidsintoneededvitamins,andindeedreicycleandrei arrangebodychemistrysothatwebecomemorelikeperpetualrecyclingorganisms. (NotedSaintsinIndiawhohavebecomebreathariansareamazingexamplesofthe

78 recyclingpoweroftheliver).anotherofitsmostinterestingabilitiesisthatof regeneratingitselfwhendamaged;theliverissomewhatuniqueinthatitcanrei growsectionsofitself. JNANENDRIYA, Thesenserelatedtothischakraisthatoftaste.Herewefindamultitudeof palatabletastescreatedforourcivilizedappetites;yet,whenweexaminethis phenomenonmoreclosely,wediscoverthatthereisverylittleactuallytobetasted. Mostofwhatweconsidertobetasteisreallythearomacomingtothesenseof smell.thetongueitselfhasonlyfivedistinguishingtastes:sweet,sour,bitter,salty andpungent.somuchofourgourmettastebudsareanillusionfromtheworldof smell.insometestsperformedduringpsychologicalstudies,thesenseofsmellwas totallyblockedoffandwhentheblindfoldedsubjectsweregivenapplesand/or onionstoeat,theycouldnottellthedifference.(mentionedinthesectionofsmell, chapter1).nevertheless,wehavecreatedasensationalworldofflavorfulfoodsthat cankeepustouringtheworldtocheckoutdifferentrestaurants.allofthishaslittle todowiththeactualfoodsthatourbodyneeds;infactitcantaeusalongwayoff track.thepastimeofeatingforpleasureandjudgingbytasteratherthannutrition hashelpedbringourstateofhealthtowhereitistoday.theworldofpleasureis oneoftheresultsofourcreativecookinghabits.oneofthenamesgiventothe secondchakraisthe pleasurecenter. Onceuponatimewhentheworldwasyoung,andwewerestilllivinginagarden, ourtastebudsweretheretotelluswhatourbodyneedswere.wehadan instinctiveknowledgeaboutberries,herbsandavarietyofnaturalfoods.whenwe atesomething,itstastewouldtriggerjusttherightdigestiveprocess.now,muchof thishasbeenlosttoourcivilizedappetite. KARMENDRIYA, Thekarmendriya(organofaction)connectedtothispleasurecenteristhatofthe hands.howmuchhavewelearnedtodowithourhands?itseemslikeagreatdeal ofcreativityisexpressedthroughourcultureduseofthehands.considerthearts: music,painting,sculpting,etc.;muchofourexpressiondependsonlearningtouse ourhandsinarefinedandsophisticatedway.thinkaboutmoderntimesandhow muchourhandsareusedincommunication,withkeyboardsinvirtuallyeveryone s homes.inthehindudepictionofthischakra,saraswatiishereasthegoddessofthe artsandmusic;sheisgenerallyshownplayingaveena,anindianstringed instrumentwhichrequiresdexterityandskillfuluseofthehands.

79 InmostofthedepictionsofthevariousdeitiesinHinduismorBuddhism,thehands areeitherholdingspecialobjects,orelsetheyareplacedincertainpositions.these positionsarecalledmudras,andareconsideredhandgestureswhichhavespecial significanceorcreateacertaineffect.inthescienceofyogathisisstudiedindetail atadeeperlevelbylookingattheenergeticsofournervoussystem.asweknow frombasicanatomy,therearenervesandnerveterminalsthroughoutthebody. Certainareas,likethehands,haveanextraabundanceofthesenerveterminals,the resultofwhichistoproducemuchgreatersensitivityanddexterity.wherethere arenerves,thereisenergy(hopefullyflowing).thenerveterminalsarehighly conductivetotheenergy,easilyproducingenergycurrentsthroughtheslight stimulationoftouch.whathappenswhenwetouchthetipoftheforefingertothe tipofthethumbiscalledconnection.thisconnectioncreatesanenergyflowswhich feedsbacktothebrain,resultinginacalmerstateofmind,forinstance.anywhere wemakeaconnectioninthiswayacircuitofenergyiscompleted,andourbrain reactswithsometypeofenergyresponse.thesehavebeenobservedandnotedfor millennia.sinceitwasknownthatourenergyextendswellbeyondthehands,we canfindmanyexampleswherethehandsarealsoinopenreceptiontoforcesfrom theoutside,orelseprojectingenergypatternsforspecificfunctions. Inthisteacher scoursewewilllearnsomeofthebasicfingerandhandpositions,as wellassomehandtobodypositions,andwewilldiscusstheireffects.itis recommendedthatthestudentpracticesomeofthesemudraswiththebreathing techniquesthatcallforit,andwithanobservingmind.thesepracticesare particularlysuitedtoconcentration,contemplativeandmeditativetechniques.in thisway,theknowledgeabouttheeffectsofmudrasbecomesarealityandnotjusta theory.grantedthattheeffectsofmudrasmaybemoresubtleandharderto distinguishthantheimmediateeffectsofbreathing,buttheseriousstudentneedsto developthesensitivityandawarenessanyway,sothetimeinvestedinthispractice willbequitebeneficial. Someoftheotherbenefitsstemmingfromtheseneurologicalconnectionsarethe calmingoftheentirenervoussystem;theeffectcanbegreatforpacifyingnervous disorders,evenforhaltingnervoushabitslikenailbitingorfingertapping.thehand preoccupationwithcigarettesmokingisanotherproblemthatcanbetreated,but shouldnotneedseriousconsiderationforstudentsontheyogicpath.aswiththe feet,thesenerveterminalsareconnectedtovariousbodyparts,andstimulating themthroughtouchcanhelpactivatecertainglandsandorgans.handmassagesare partofyogachiketsaaswellasofreflexology,andsuchactionshaveproventobe veryhealing. HereisareproductionofoneofmyoriginaldiagramsfromAnandaAshramin1971, withthenerveterminalpointsastaughtatthattime.

80 Thesepointsmayormaynotcoincidewithallreflexologypointsfromother systems;theydohoweverseemtoberelatedtotheareasmentioned.inyoga chiketsatheprecisepointsarenotasimportantastheenergyflowsthemselves,and theseflowsaredeterminedbythelevelofpranathatthetherapistsaccumulates,or isintouchwith.moreaboutthisinchapter4,whichdealswiththehealingenergies. CHARACTERISTICS, Asmentionedearlier,thesecondchakradoesnothaveenergyofitsown,justasits symbol,thecrescentmoon,hasnolightofitsown.boththeenergyandthelightare reflectedfromsomewhereelse.thisfactmustbekeptinmindwhenconsideringthe characteristicsofthischakra;forinstance,apersonwithastrongoropensecond chakraisvirtuallyastrongreflectionofthesocialsituationinwhichthatpersonis, orhasbeenimmersed. Whentheenergyisstrong,flowing,andbalanced: 1. Verygoodsocialskills,capableofgoingwiththeflow,easytogetalongwith others. 2. Veryopenminded,adaptabletoallsortsofsocialsituationsandacceptingof alargevarietyofideas.

81 3. Verynurturingandsensitive,appreciativeofothers. 4. Comfortablewithtouch,sensualityandsexuality. 5. Findsabalancebetweenworkandplay,andlikesphysicalmovement, particularlyifitisplayful,asindancing,orflowing,asinswimming. 6. Feelssafe,confidentandemotionallybalancedinsocialsituations. 7. Iscapableofassimilatingknowledgefromvarioussourcesandblendingit intoanacceptableformat. 8. Enjoystheartsandentertainment,especiallywhentheyareinteractive. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. TendstooverIindulgenceinmanysensualpleasures,suchaseatingforthe sakeoftasking,entertainment,andsocialgossip. 2. SexuallyoverIactive,sometimestothepointofaddiction. 3. Toosociallyactiveandhasinabilitytospendtimealoneorbestill. 4. Becomesconfusedfrompickingupotherpeople senergyandreactstoother people sexpectations. 5. FullofselfIgratificationandeasilyaddictedtostimulantsoradrenaline rushes. 6. CanbecomecrisisIorientedinordertogetattention. 7. Easilyputsotheraheadofselftothepointofforgettingpersonalneeds,and isoftenoverlyinfluencedbytheculturalwebinthesocialworld. 8. EmotionallydependentonothersandeasilycoIdependent. Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: Physicalbodymaybecometightandrigidwithnosenseoffluidmovement. Displaysinabilitytogowiththeflowandisnotadaptabletochange. Mayseememotionallycoldorimpersonal,sociallyincapableofrelating;sexually frustrated(thesefirstthreehavetodowithtoomuchchakra1energyandno balancefromchakra2). Maybewithdrawnandfearfulinthesocialworld,feelinginsecureanddisplaying littleinterestincommunicatingorinteriacting.selfiesteemislowsocially. Maybeindecisive,passiveandhavenosocialboundaries. Slowtotakeactionandeasilyprocrastinateswithanyprojects. Lackofpassion,sensuality,andnotexpressiveoffeelings. MENTAL,DIRECTION, Thedirectionofmindhereissouth.Thisenergyshowsitselfinoursocial developmentinfluencingallourrelationsandinteractions.itsattractiveand covalentpowerisevidentinthewayinwhichwepullinthepeopleweneedtohave inourlives,aswellasinourabilitytolearncertainthingsfromawhilevarietyof peopleandputthisinformationintoourownmentalstructure.whenthisenergyis

82 flowing,wegatherpiecesofinformationfromothersandputthemtogetherintoour ownpicture.intheflow,thisenergyleadstoanunfoldingofmanysocialskillsthat seemtodevelopwithouteffort.onefindsitveryeasytogetalongwithothers,to learnfromthem.justaswaterhasnotshapeofitsown,easilymoldingitselftothe containerintowhichitispoured,sowe,socially,canputonanymask,likeanactor, andplaytherolethatisexpectedofusinanysituation.oftentimes,though,the mentalstructurethatcomesfromothersasaculturalwebofbeliefsystemsis difficulttobreakfreeof.itcankeepusboundtoawayofthinkingthatwasnever reallyourstobeginwith,butsociallyacceptableamongstourpeers.hereinliesthe dangerofgettinglistinthesocialactandforgettingwhoweareasindividuals. Thesymbolofthecrescentmoonrepresentsthewayinwhichthiscenterreflects partofthelightofthesun.inthesocialworldpeopleoftenreflecteachother s energy.liketwoatomscomingtogetherandsharinganelection,inrelationships peopleshareenergyinvariousways.wemotivateandinspireeachotherattimes, bouncingideasoffeachother.themotivatorisoftenusingenergyfromthethird chakrawhiletherecipientwillreflectthatsameenergybackwithvibrationsadded fromtheirsecondchakra.studentsshouldalsocontemplatehowenergyisamplified whenitisreflectedbackandforthingroups,atparties,rallies,andhowpowerful thisforcecanbecome. Yetanotherimportantpointishowthischakramayalsobereflectingvarious perspectives.theknowledgecomingthroughthesereflectionsmayormaynotbe universaltruths.themoonhasnolightofitsown;itcanonlyreflectlightfromthe sun.thisprincipleappliestousinthesocialworld,wherewesooftentalkabout truths and realities thatweknow,notfromourownexperience,buthaveheard orread.secondihandinformationthatwereflectinoursociallifeislikethe reflectionsfromthemoon.oursecondchakra,inasense,isalmostnotoursbut ratherthereflectionofallthethoughtsandfeelingsthathavebeenpassedontous fromothers.consideritasasocialwebofmentalandemotionalactivity,onein whichweareasmallpartthusourinfluenceiscorrespondinglylimited.

83 Withintheweb,welearntoplaydifferentroles,towearvariousmasksorputon certainpersonalitiesthatfitwithwhatwearedoingorwhowearecommunicating with.inthisregardtherearesixspecificcategoriesintowhichthese personas, (Greekformask),canfall,dependingonwhetherweareinapositionofauthorityor subservienceorequality.(fig.2f)forexample,whenwearelittlewelookuptoour fatherasanauthorityfigure,yetwhenweareparentslateroninlifewebecome thoseauthorityfiguresandplaythatroletowardsourchildren.withourloveryet another,perhapsmorecharming,roleisrequired;thepowerofattractionworking hereisnature swayofrenewinglifeintheongoingcycleofgenerations.mostofour friendsfallintothecategoryofbrotherorsisterdependingonwhethertheyareof thesamesexornot.withthemotherrole,wehavealookeduptoourmothersfor nurturanceonetimeoranother,butnotallofusgettoplaythatpersona.authority andnurturancearebalancedbetweentherolesoffatherandmother.

84 Discriminationisrequiredheretoscreentheflowofinformationthathascome throughourancestors,parents,teachersandotherpeoplewemeet.withtheeyeof discrimination(comingfromthesixthchakra),wecanseemoreclearlywhatistrue, whatisopinion,theoryorgossip.aswithacrescentmoon,youonlyseepartofthe whole.youcannotseethemotivationofothers,northeinfluenceofthe subconsciousmind,(thelargestpartofthemind(90%)),whichcontainsand reflectsthesocialinfluencesrunningbelowthesurfaceofourconsciousmind,i.e., expectationsandopinionsofothersgoverningourthoughts,speechandactions. Alsotobeconsidered,likethedarksideofthemoonrepresentedhere,isthedark sideofpeople sminds.theseunseenportionsofthepsychearesooftenthe unwantedaspectsoftheirmindsandmemories alifetime sstorehouseof conditioning,memories,traumas,unresolvedconflicts,fearsandunfulfilled expectationswhichmayhavebeensweptunderthecarpetformanyyears. Theaspectofthischakraweneedtobeawareofisthecommunicationthatgoeson hereatthepsychiclevel.usuallybelowtheperceptionoftheconsciousmind,there istransferenceofenergyandinformationwhichthenfiltersinslowlythroughour subconsciousmind.iamreferringheretoavastamountofempathyandtelepathy thatisongoingatthislevelofthesecondvortex.ourconsciousmindisonlyasmall portionofthementalpicture.inwesternthought,telepathicabilitiesfallintothe realmofsuperstitionorthebizarre.intheyogicviewthesemethodsof communicationareasobviousasthoughtitself.swadhistanaisafeminine,sensitive andreceptivechakrathatisconstantlyfeelingandreadingotherpeople svibrations. Itcanfacilitateourknowledgeofothersconsiderably,ifweareaware,orelseitcan leadtofeelingsofconfusioninsocialcircles,andasenseofbeingoverwhelmedby otherpeople senergies,ifwearenotaware.confusionarisesbecausewecannot alwaysdistinguishourownthoughtsfromthoseofothers.ifwearecenteredand comfortable,however,wecangowiththeflowandblendintoacrowdlikeadropof watermergingwiththeocean. Thereisalsoalotofemotioninvolvedwiththiscenter,sincerelatingtopeople alwaysevokesfeelingsofonekindoranother.ideallywearebornoutofloveand fedonitthroughmostofouryoungeryears,inwhichcaseweareusedtohaving positivefeelingscomingthroughrelationship;whentherearenottherewefeelthe vacuum,asenseofvoidandincompletion.thisemptinesscreatesaneedforfeeling nurtured,whichformostpeoplelaunchesanalmostendlesssearchforrelationships whichprovidethemwithnurturingfeelings.theproblemisgreatlycompoundedif weenteredalifetimewhereeventhechildhoodsituationwaslackinginloveand attention.thesolutionliesinlearningtogiveattentionandlovingacceptanceto oneself,aswellasothers.alsorealizeyouareonlypartlyresponsibleforwhatyou are.theempowermentprocessthatyogatakesyouthroughcanwellempoweryou toberesponsibleforwhatyouarenowbecoming.inthiscase,lettinggoofpast beliefsandotherpeople sexpectationsisusuallyagreathelp.onthemorepositive side,itispossibletohavepeople ssupporttohelpyougreatlyalongyourpath.the influenceofotherscanbeahelporahindrance;italldependsonwhetherthey

85 understandwhatyouaredoing.becauseyogahasnotcomefromthewest,thereis oftenresistanceordoubtaboutitwhichmighthinderordiscourageyou.intheeast itiscommontogotoanashramtogetinvolvedmoredeeplyinthepractice.this providesstrongreinforcementfromyourimmediatesocialenvironment. NamasteisagreetingfromIndiathatmeans Iseethedivineessenceinyou. The divinepicturecomesthrougheveryone,thedivineseerwearsmanymasks.weneed toopenoureyesandseeit it sallinourperception.lettingthingsflowandgoing withthatflowisagreatpartofthisenergy.itisgregariousenergy,aswater moleculeshangouttogetherbutarenotstruck.partofthecharacteristicofthis energyliesintisabilitytostayconnectedbutnotattachedorrigid. Makara,theseamonster,isoneofthesymbolsusedinIndiatorepresentthenature andpowerofthesecondchakra.asanindividualyoumightnothavemuchofa chanceagainstit,especiallywhenyouareswimmingoutintheocean.youarenotin yourelementintheoceaniiithemonsterisiiiandyoucannotrunaway.itis importanttobecenteredonhomegroundandnotventuretoofaroutintothe ocean.thatistosay,fromamentalperspective,remainwithwhatyouknowtobe truewithinyourownbeliefsystemasyouexplorethevastworldofpossibilitiesout there.themulticulturalworldoftodayhasalotofconflictingphilosophiesthat makeyouquestionyourownbeliefs,soholdontowhatyouknowtobetrueinyour ownexperience.sometimesweneedasupportsysteminordertodothis,asitcan takealotofenergytomaintainyourstancewhenlargewavesaretryingtopushyou over.whilesurfinginaphilosophicalocean,theshirtfromwesternthoughtto Easternphilosophycanbeaquantumleapcapableofpullingyouunderthesurface, intoarealmoftheunknownsanity therealmofthemonster. YAMA/NIYAMA, YAMA:,Aparigrabha(nonIoverindulgence) Moderationisappliedtoallfieldsofendeavor:eating,sleeping,sex,entertainment, talking.onemustrestrainoneselffromoveriindulgenceofanykind.excessoffood, sex,pleasure,workoranyotherworldlythings,consumestoomuchenergyand thereforeinhibitsmentalandspiritualgrowth.whenyoucatertothedesiresofthe senseyounotonlyexpendyourenergychasingafterthedesiredthings,youalsoset patternsofbehaviorwhichthenbecomehabits.thesearehardtochange.byliving accordingtoneedratherthandesire,youwilltendtoeliminategreedand selfishnessfromyourcharacter.whenthisisdone,youwillfinditeasiertobeeager anddeterminedtosharewithandgivetoothers,helpingthemastheopportunity arises,withoutexpectationofdirectorindirectpersonalgain.thenthegently satisfactionandpositivefeelingswhichcomefromsharingandgivingaremuch morerewardingthangratificationofthesenses,andalsomuchmorelasting.one shouldconsequentlygivewithnostringsattached,andlikewiseoneshouldnot acceptanygiftsthathavesuchstringsattached.

86 Whentheegobringsthoughtsofindulgenceforpleasureorpersonalgain,youmust remindyourselfofhowshortilivedsensualpleasureisandhowlastingthekarma. Nomatterhowmuchyouenjoyasensualexperience,suchasstuffingyourselfwith agourmetmealforinstance,yourbodywillbesufferingtheconsequencesfordays afterwhiletryingtoeliminatealltheexcess.ifyoumakeahabitofit,thenyourbody simplycannotkeepupwithallthiscleansing,andasyourpoorbodygrowsoldand weakfromyoursofoverwork,youautomaticallyloseanythoughtofevolvingtoa higherstateofexistence.ifyourbodyisreasonablycleanalready,youwillnotice aftermostindulgencesanobviouslackofmotivation.soheedthisfirstwarningand maintaingoodrelationswithyourphysicalself. NIYAMA:,Saucha(cleanliness) Oneshouldstrivetobecleanmentallyandphysically.Theeasiestdirttoseeisthe onethatstickstothesurfaceofthebody.itisalsotheeasiesttocleanoffbytakinga simplebath.theimportanceofbeingcleanshouldn tbeunderestimated,sinceeven thedirtandpollutionyouarenotawareofwillaffectyousubconsciously.you shouldthereforechooseyourenvironmentcarefully;cleanairandwaterare fundamentalrequirementsforyogapractice.oncethisisdoneitispossibleto proceedtootherphasesofcleansing.dailybathing,haircare,teethcare,etc.,are simplerequirementsfortheouterworld.foracleansingoftheinnerworld,westart insidethebody.youmightbepollutingtheinsideofyourbodywithallthegoodi tastinggarbagefoodthatyouknowyourbodydoesn tneed.youcanbeginby eliminatingsuchfoodsfromyourdietandthenaddallthecleansingfoods,likefruits andvegetablesintheirnaturalstate.respectingtheneedsofyourbodyinthisway willkeeptheinternalscleanandflowing.variouscleansingandfastingtechniques, tomakesurealltheoldgarbagehasbeeneliminated,canassist.becausethe moderndietcontainssomanystrangeelements fromsyntheticchemicalsto geneticallyalteredfoods itmaytakealittlewhiletocleansethemallfromyour body.justtheactofbreathingdeepbeginsasystematiceliminationofthese unwantedpollutants;enhancetheprocesswithavarietyofdetoxificationprograms. Emotionalcleanlinessrequiressomewhatmoreeffort,butwiththeknowledgeof pranayamaandtheassistanceofwillpower,itisnotreallydifficult;itmayhowever bealongandmoretediousprocess.negativethoughtsandemotionsshouldbe broughtupintoconsciousness,examined,understoodfromsourcetoconsequence, andthenerasedwiththeappropriatetechnique.whenyoufindthesenegative thoughtpatterns,trytoputyourselfintheshoesofwhoeveroffendedyou,sothat youcancometounderstandtheirperspective.youmightfindothersofgreat assistanceindoingthisifyouencouragefreedomofexpressionfromthosearound yousoastoletinalittlelightfromthemembersoftheopposition.acceptingother people spointsofviewaboutyourselfandyourbehaviorwillhelptoridyourmind ofitscobwebsofpreconceivedideas.inyourassociationsitisalsoimportantthat

87 youexpressyourselffreely.ifyouhavemanythoughtsaboutanotherperson, whetherthesethoughtsaregood,badorugly,expressthemwheneverthetimeis right.outwiththeold,inwiththenew.thepracticeofswadhiyaya,asmentionedin Chapter1,isrequiredhere.Yourmindcanbeasdeviousandascleverasyou,so takethetimetotrulyobserveit.trytuningintothecompassionatemindand developingahelpfulattitudetowardseveryone. JNANA,YOGA, Thisformofyogadevelopswisdomandunderstandingofthemind.Inpracticeit comprisesrelaxationtechniquesthatproduceaphenomenoncalledpratyahara, whichisliterallytranslatedassensewithdrawal.whatitmeansisawithdrawalof awarenessfromalloftheattractionswhichthesensesdrawustowards something thatsmellsgood,looksgoodorwhatever.allofthe attractions areconsidered distractionsfromtheperspectiveoftheyogicspiritualpath.itiswhenwepullour awarenessbackinward,totheinnerjourney,thatwecanbecomewisetothe wanderingsofthemind,andweseehowweareledastraybytheworldofsensual gratificationanddesire.thesewithdrawalpracticesaretemporarywindows throughwhichwebecomeawakenedtothetruenatureofthemind,itsperceptions andprojections.thisprocessallowsustodetachfromtheconstantturmoilsthat cankeepusconstantlybusy.peaceofmindfollows,thenewcanpursue meditationalpractices.oncewehaveseenthebeautyoftheinnerworldwecan comebackouttoseethebeautyofcreationagain infactitwillseemmore beautiful.discoveringtheinnerbeautyputsmorebeautyintheeyeofthebeholder. PerhapsoneofthegreatestteachersinthisdomainwasGautamatheBuddha,who sawthroughallthegamesthatthemindcanplay.hetaughthisstudentsto disregardalltheattractionsandrepulsionscreatedthroughdesire,andsimply remainawareofconsciousnessasthataspectofourselvesthatgoesbeyondthe bodyandbeyondthemind.thisistheattitudeofjnanayoga;anattitudethat developsunderstandingofhowthesensepullthemindinsomanydirectionsaswe thinkaboutthisandanalyzethat.allofthesewanderingskeepawarenessinvolved insomanythingsthatweforgetthatthisawarenessisasilentwitnesstothedrama oflife,ordeathforthatmatter.themanytechniquesofpratyaharaaremeantto pullusoutofthebusinessofallworldlyactivities,bringingusbacktothatpeaceful placefromwhichwecanexperiencelifefromaplaceoffreedomandobservation ratherthancompleteentanglementineacheventandscenethatpresentsitself beforeus.withsomeoftheadvancedtechniqueswecanbringourconsciousnessup toaplaceofseeingitallasadream,andweeasilyloseourattachmenttothedream whenweseetherealitywecanwakeupto. Whentheminddoesbecomecalmthroughdetachmentandrelaxation,meditation becomesapossibility.meditationisnotsomethingyoucandobyforce;itismore

88 likesomethingthathappenstoyouwhenyouhavepreparedyourself.emptyingthe mindisasimportantformeditationashavinganemptycupintowhichyoupour yourselfadrink.ifitisalreadyfullofsomethingelseyouwillnotsucceedin experiencingthenewtaste.similarlywithmeditation,youwillnotfeeltheblissof beingthesilentwitnessinthecreationoflifeifyouarebusythinkingabouttheten thousandthingsyouneedtodo.this silentwitness iscalledtheatmaninsanskrit; itistheobserverofalllife sactivities,anobserverthatremainsintheaudienceeven thoughshe/hemaybedirectingwhatishappeningonstage.therecomesavery deeprelaxedhappinesstothosewhorealizewedonotcreatetheuniverse,butitis unfoldingasitshould. Meditation% Meditation-is-the-continuous-flow-of-one-thought-of-the-Supreme.- Concentration-opens-the-inner-chambers-of-love-and-is-the-sole-key-to-the-realm-of- eternity. - ISwamiVishnuDevananda Meditation,and,Mantras, Meditationisattainedthroughthedisciplinedpracticesofswadhiyaya(selfIstudy), contemplationofthoughtprocessesandconcentrationtechniques.meditation involvesadailypracticeofwitnessingthemind.afterselfiobservationand contemplationonefocusestheirattentionisoneipointednesstopreparethewayfor stillingthemind.inthequietingofthemindonecanbegintomoveintothehigher statesofblissfulconsciousness. Itisveryimportanttosetasidearegulartimeformeditationeachday.Theamount oftimemaybeshortinthebeginning.onemaystartwithapracticeofperhaps10i 15minutesandastimegoesononemaybeinspiredtomeditatemuchlonger.A goodtimeformeditationisbetween4:00and6:00am.thisisatimewhenthe meditatorcanattunemoreeasilywiththecosmicuniverse.accordingtoswami Gitanandaandtheteachingsofthescienceofyoga,beforetherisingofthesuninthe EasttheuniverseisblessedwithaspecialenergycalledushaShakti.Ifoneis meditatingatthistimeone spractice,visionsandaffirmationsaremoreenhanced.

89 SwamiVishnuDevananda,inhisbookonMeditation-and-Mantras,remindsusthat theearlymorningmeditationisamoresattvictimeofdaywhereone sthoughtsare upliftedtotherealmofpurity,truthandthedivinenatureoftheuniverse.hesays thatoncethesunhasrisen,theactivitiesofthedayareinmotionandoneisinthe presenceoftherajasicnatureoftheuniverse.theseforcesoftheuniversecalledthe gunas(tamas,rajasandsattvic)arediscussedintheyogamanual.ofcourseifone doesnotariseintheseearlyhoursonecanbeginmeditationbeforetheday s activities. Aftersunsetorbeforeretiringfortheeveningisalsoagoodtimeforthepracticeof meditation,though,atthistimeoneusuallyrequiresaperiodofcontemplationfirst, asthemindwilltendtoreviewtheeventsoftheday.theactivitiesofthedayhave cometoacompletionandthesettingofthesuninthewestprovidesthe opportunitytotakeone sattentionmoreinward,contemplateone sthoughtsand takethetimetoconnectwiththesacrednessoftheuniversalreality. Devanandaspeaksofthesamskarasinthephilosophyofyoga.Hedescribes samskarasasthoughtwavesthatareformedinthemind.hesaysthatthesethought wavescanbeeitherpositiveornegativehabits.everytimethemindhasathought todosomethingandactsonthethoughtoverandoveragain,hesays,thethinkeris creatinganeuralpathwayinthebrainwhichisturncreatesahabitualactionofthat thought.thesehabitualpatternsbecomepartoftheenergyknotsorobstaclescalled grunthis,inthescienceofyoga.thesearethebarriers(energypatterns)situated alongthechakracenterswhichimpedeonealongtheirspiritualpath.oneofthe waysinwhichthesenegative,habitualenergypatternscanbechangedisthrough thepracticeofconcentrationandmeditation.takingthetimetochooseaparticular formofconcentrationsuchasfocusingonthebreath,apositivethought,amantra,a Yantrasymbol,theimageofadeityorenlightenedmaster,theheartchakra,ajna chakraorthesupremenatureoftheuniverse,oneiscreatingnewneuralpathways whicharepositiveandupliftingforthemind,body&spirit. Meditationhelpstodissipateandremovethenegativememoriesandconditionings oftheegoimind.thetibetanbuddhist smastersandotherspiritualteachersname thepoisonsofthemindaspride,desire,anger,jealousy,greed,lustandhatred. Throughthepracticeofmeditationaswellasjapa(mantrachanting)onecan overcomethesecausesofsufferingandawakentoone sinnerwisdom.througha dailypracticeonewillopenuptotheiruniquedivineessencethroughthegateway ofanahata(heartchakra)andconnectwiththeircompassionatenatureof unconditionalloveandbliss:om-mani-padme-hum. The-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-return-to-the-understanding-and-wisdom-of-thepurusha,-one-consciousness-and-to-realize-one-is-not-a-separate-being-but-part-of-theessence-of-the-supreme,-cosmic-energy.-

90 ISwamiDevananda - Meditation-is-the-only-royal-road-to-attainment-of-freedom.-It-is-a-mysterious- ladder-which-reaches-from-earth-to-heaven,-from-error-to-truth,-from-darkness-to-light,- from-pain-to-bliss,-from-restlessness-to-abiding-peace,-from-ignorance-to-knowledge- and-from-mortality-to-immortality.- ISwamiSivananda (-Bliss-Divine-)- Meditation-is-not-something-you-do,-but-rather-what-happens-to-your- awareness-when-you-are-prepared.- ISwamiGitananda Benefits,of,Meditation, InhiscommentariesonmeditationSwamiDevanandatalkedaboutthevibrationof thought.hesaidthateverythoughtgivesoffacertainvibration.thisvibrationcan benegativeorpositivedependingonwheretheperson sstateofmindisseated.he saidthatwhenapersonisupliftedonecanfeelapleasantvibrationintheir company.ontheotherhandhesaidthatwhenapersonholdthemselvesina judgmentalandnegativestateofmindonecanfeelthelowervibrationthatisbeing transmitted.throughthepracticeofmeditationandmantrayogaone sthoughtsare changedandliftedintoavibrationofgratitudeandspiritualawareness.inholding thisvibrationonemayattractmanypleasantandfortuitousexperiences.devananda saidonewhomeditatesdailydevelopsamagneticanddynamicpersonality. Thepracticeofdailymeditationhasmanyphysical,psychologicalandspirituallyI evolvingbenefits.belowarealistofsomeoftherewardsofdailymeditation. Physiological,benefits:, Relaxestheheart&respiratoryrate Raisesthevibrationofthemolecularbody Slowstheprocessofaging Increasestheabilitytoconcentrate Increasesthememoryprocess Increasesthealphabrainwaveswhichareimportantforrelaxation Slowsthereleaseofhormonesinresponsetostress BalancesthesympatheticandparaIsympatheticnervoussystem Increasestheflowofpraniclifeforceintheenergybody

91 Lowersoxygenconsumption Improvesthefunctionsoftheimmunitysystem;permitslongevity Improvespalpitation&abnormalrhythmicalpatternsoftheheart Improvesmanychronicalconditionssuchasinsomnia,menopause,chronic fatigue&hypertension Helpstolessenmigraineheadaches,heartdiseaseandotherailments Psychological,benefits:, Meditationslowsdownthemindchatter Helpsonetoremaincalmandcenteredinthemidstofchaoticortraumatic situations Helpstocreateinnerstrengthandbalanceinone sbeing;innerpeace;joy; trust Meditationseasesdepression;helpstoraisetheserotoninlevelsinthebrain AprolongedmeditativepracticeinstigatesadeIprogrammingofoldbelief systemsandnegativeconditioningofthesubiconsciousmind Helpswiththeabuseofalcohol&drugs Breathingpatternsofmeditationlessenthefeelingsofworryandfear Helpstodiminishfeelingsofgrief,angerandlowselfIesteem IncreasesfeelingsofselfIconfidence;increasesmotivationinlife Helpstodiminishnegativehabitualthoughtpatternsandactions Increasesone screativeabilities;createsabalancebetweentheintuitionand intellect Enhancesvisualizationtechniques Spiritual,benefits:, EnergizestheKundaliniIshaktiatthebaseofthespine;energizesthechakras Upliftsone sconsciousnesstothedivineconsciousnessoftheuniverse Helpsoneattunewiththecosmicforcesoftheuniverse;attunementwiththe saints,sages Helpsonehearthevoiceoftheirowninnerguru(teacher):guruharidya mans Createshigherlevelsofspiritualawareness;opensoneuptospiritual guidance Deependone scompassionatenature;helpscreatesantosha(contentment) EnhancesthepracticeoflovingIkindness;unconditionallove;trust Help sonealongtheirspiritualpath;helpsdefineone spurposeinlife -

92 - Meditation-is-a-powerful-healing-force.-During-meditation-there-is-generally-atremendous-acceleration-of-energy-to-the-individual-cells.-Just-as-negative-thoughtspollute-them,-positive-thoughts-rejuvenate-them-and-retard-decay.-Penetrating-all-thecells,-the-vibrations-can-prevent-and-cure-disease.-Meditation-is-also-a-powerful-mentaland-nerve-tonic.-The-soothing-waves-that-arise,-exercise-a-favorable-effect-on-mind-andnerves,-resulting-in-a-prolonged,-positive-state-of-mind.- ISwamiDevananda Devanandapointedoutthatjustasheatandlightcanbetransformedinto electricity,socanangeraswellasothernegativepatternsbetransformedinto spiritualenergy.theteachingsofyogaremindthestudentofmeditationthat,in additiontonewsensationsandfeelings,oneacquirednewwaysofperceivinglife. Onemaydevelopacertainawarenessofthecosmicuniverseaswellasafeelingof unity,harmony,peaceandhappiness.throughtheprolongedpracticeofmeditation onemaybeliberatedfromthebondagesofthepastandmaterialworld.the meditativestateisablissfulunionwithnatureandthedivineenergyofthe universe. Misunderstandings,About,Meditation, Meditationisnotaparticularreligionbutyouwillfindthepracticeofmeditationin certainreligioustraditions.meditationisaspiritualpracticewhichembracesall religionsandbackgrounds. Meditationisnotcontemplation.ThepracticeofselfIstudy,swadhiyaya,(seeendof thissectionfortechnique),isactuallythepracticeofallowingthoughtsand memoriestocomeupfreelytothemindtoberuniofforcontemplatedforfurther analysisorresolution.itisimportantforonetolookatone shabitualpatters, relationshipsandactionsinordertounderstandthedynamicsofone slifeand createawarenessaroundhowtomakepositivechangeswherenecessary.this practiceofselfistudybeginstoprepareonefortheartofmeditation. Meditationisnotconcentration.Aslaidoutinthe eightlimbsofyoga,dharanais thedisciplinedpracticewhereonefocusesone sattentionsolelyonaparticular object,imageofadeity,amantra,achakra,oratafixedpointinajnaoranahata chakra.theseconcentrationtechniquesactuallypreparethemindforadeeperstate ofmediation.whenthemindbecomestrulystillthroughtheprolonged concentrationinoneipointedness,themindlosesconsciousnessoftheselfandthere isasweetcalmnessofuninterruptedthoughtsandinnertranquility.

93 Aswell,pratyaharaisnotmeditationbutagainitisthepreparationforthedeeper statesofmediation.asmentionedinthematerialonthe eightlimbsofyoga pratyaharaisthewithdrawalofthefivesensesawayfromthediestractionsofthe materialworld.fromherethemindmovesinwardtofocusontheperceptionsof theinnerworldandthedivineself.whenthefleetingsensationsofthemindare calmedandthemajorsensesarewithdrawnonecanbeginthepracticeofdharana, (concentration). InthepracticeofdharanaonepracticesoneIpointedness;inthepracticeofdhyana onemovesintoastateofpeacefulmeditation. Experiences,in,Meditation, Inameditationpracticedifferentexperiencesmayoccurforthemeditator.Inhis book,meditationandmantras,swamivishnudevanandasharessomeofthe teachingsofhisspiritualteacher,swamisivanandaaroundthedeeperpracticesof mediation. Sivanandapointsoutthatintherealmsofmeditationonemayhearparticular cosmicsounds.thesearetheunstucksoundswithinthecenterofanahatachakra. Theyaretheinaudible,undulating,symphonicsoundsoftheuniversalenergyfield. SwamiGitanandamentionedonseveraloccasionsvarioussoundsthatarerecorded inbothhinduandtibetanscriptures:drums,bells,undulatingwaves,hightreble staticetc.inmyownexperience,(david),ihearasymphonyofharmonicsounds whichresemblesynthesizednewagemusic.ihavebeenhearingthesesincebefore synthesizerswereinvented,andonlyinthequietestplaces.wewillbeplayingsome oftheseforyou. Inthethirdeye,Ajnachakra,onemayseeflashingcolorsandlightsoronemayview asymbol,suchasacircleoflight,amoon,asunoraparticularsacredyantra, (mandala). Indeepmeditationonemayseebeingsorobjectsfromtheastralworld.Sivananda saysoneshouldnotattachone sselftothesevisionsnormakethemistakeof believingonehasreachedastateofsamadhi,superconsciousness.inregardstothe appearanceofmastersordeitiesfromthelokas(otherdimensionsoftheuniverse), oneisremindedtolistentotheadviseofthewiseones.sivanandaencouragesthe meditatortoreceivethesevisitorswithhonourfortheycometohelponealong theirspiritualpath. Intheyogicteachingsoneisalsotaughtthatifbeingsappearaswrathfuldeitiesone shouldstayfocusedonthedivinenatureoftheuniverseandtrynottoreachina frightfulmanner.thesebeingswillleaveifoneremainsthewitness.tocalmone s

94 mindthemeditatormaybegintochantthesacredmantraaumwhichisconsidered tobethegreatmantraofprotectionandisthesacredsoundwhichdissipatesall negativeenergies. Whenseeingmanycoloredlightsorsymbolsoneisadvisedtoacceptthemforwhat theyareandrefrainfromtheneedtocreateanegotisticalattitudearoundthese experiences.oneistaughttowitnesstheseexperiencesandvisionsfromaplaceof detachment.fromhereonemayenterintosensationsofpeaceandblissfulness. SwamiDevanandapointsoutthat duringdeepmeditationtheaspirantmayforget theexternalworld,thenthebody;theideaoftimedisappearsandthefeelingof risingupisasignofgoingabovebodyconsciousness.(meditationandmantras) By-regular-practice-of-pratyahara-one-achieves-habitual-withdrawal-of-the-mind-fromthe-realm-of-sense-perception-and-fluctuations.-The-mind-learns-to-internalize-andbecomes-absorbed-unto-itself.-Consciousness-is-infinite:-the-mind-makes-it-appear-finite.- Through-the-mind,-consciousness-becomes-imprisoned-in-the-individual-consciousnessof- I,- me -and- mind.-pratyahara-helps-the-individual-consciousness-bring-about-acentral-state-of-mind-by-developing-in-it-a-habit-of-withdrawal-from-the-phenomenalworld.-through-dharana,-the-mind-is-fixed-and-stilled.-through-dhyana,-the-mindachieves-tranquility.-when-this-tranquility-becomes-a-habit-of-mind-it-enters-into-the- sheath-of-bliss -and-remains-submerged-in-the-ocean-of-nebulous-bliss-and-knowledge;- samadhi- IHarishJohari Chakras:EnergyCentersofTransformation The,Practice,of,Meditation, Therearesomehelpfuldetailstoconsiderforthepracticeofmeditation.The followinglistwillenhanceyourpractice. 1.Firstly,settingasidearegulartimeperiodforourmeditationpracticecreatesa positivehabit.thisregularpracticeconditionsandpreparesthemindtoslowdown thedailyactivitiestogetreadyforitsmeditationpractice.ofcourseifyougetupin theearlyhoursofthemorningthemindisalreadyinasemiimeditativestateunless youhavehadadisturbingsleep.themindandbodywillbegintolookforwardto thesehabitualregularpractices.asmentionedbefore,therisingsunandafterthe

95 settingofthesunareprimetimesformeditation.duringthesehoursthecosmic atmosphereisimbuedwithsacredenergies. 2.Beginwithashortpracticeof10I20minutesandthenincreaseyourtimeasyou begintoenjoythepracticeofmeditation. 3.Createaspacewhereyoucandoyouregularmeditativepractice.Itdoesnot havetobelargebutitisgoodtohaveaplacethatisyourprivatecorneroftheroom. Youmaywanttocreateanaltarwithflowers,water,incense,candles,malabeads, statuesorimagesofsomedeitiesaswellasamatorcushionforyoursitting posture.youmayalsositwithastraightspineinachairaswell.rememberthatthis isyoursacredspace.youwillcreateaserene,peacefulfeelingherewhichyouwill lookforwardtoreturningto.inthebhagavadgita,krishnamentionsthesitting place(yogamat)anditsrightfulpreparationsoutofnaturalmaterials;healso mentionedthatitistobeusedonlyformeditation. 4.Thechantingofamantramaybedonebeforethepracticeofmeditation.Mantra chantinghelpstostillthebusymindaswellasupliftone sconsciousnesstowards thedivinenatureoftheuniverse.chantingthesacred AUM mantraisatraditional practice.otherformsofchantingincludethechantingofthechakrabijamantrasor therecitationofoneofthemaha(great)mantrassuchasthatofthegayatri-mantra,- Om-Mani-Padme-Hum,-Om-Namah-Shiva,-Shri-Ram,-Om-Namo-Bhagavate,-Hare- Krishna-are-Rama-andsoon.(seechaptersV&VII) 5.Meditationisenhancedbyspecificpranayamatechniquessuchasalternate nostrilbreathingaswellassavitribreathing. 6.Accordingtothescienceofyogathedirectionoftheworldinwhichyoufacewill alsoaffectyourstateofconcentration.forexample,sittingfacingthewestdirection willallowone sthoughtstomovemoreinwardandoneisabletofocusoncertain concentrationtechniques.thesouthdirectiontendstostimulatethoughtsabout one srelationshipintheworld.theeastdirectiontendstostimulateone screative ideas.aswelltheeastdirection,homeoftherisingsun,isgreatforvisualization techniques.inthenorthdirectiononemaytuneintotheuniversallibrary,thehome oftheakashicrecords.itisthedirectionwhichstimulatestheintellectandinspires one sthoughtsandquestions. 7.Avegetariandietisrecommendedtoenhancethepracticeofmeditation. Stimulantsandanimalhormonesmakeitverydifficulttotametheunrulymind; withoutpeaceofmindmeditationisnotpossible. 8.Itisnotrecommendedtotrytoskipthestepsofpratyahara,swadhiyayaand dharanabeforemovingintothepracticeofdhyana,meditation.thesestepsare necessarytoclearthewanderingmindandbringittoaplaceofstillness.

96 9.Chooseafixedfocalpointforyourmeditationpractice.Thisfixedpointmayby lookingupwardstowardsthethirdeye,lookingforwardstothetipofthenoseor focusingontheheartchakra. 10.Forinspiration,itishelpfultoremindoneselfofthemanyphysiological, psychologicalandspiritualbenefitsofasincere,meditationpractice.takethetime torefertothe eightlimbsofyoga forthepracticesofpratyahara,dharanaand dhyana. Samadhi-or-superconscious-state-is-the-highest-goal-which-one-can-attain-throughmeditation.-It-is-not-a-thing-that-can-be-attained-through-a-little-practice.-Hiddenpsychic-and-occult-powers-are-awakened-by-understanding-and-realizing-the-powers-ofthe-mind.-One-can-see-distant-objects,-hear-distant-sounds,-send-messages-to-any-partof-the-universe,-heal-people-thousands-of-miles-away-and-move-to-distant-places-in-nottime.-There-is-no-limit-to-the-human-mind-when-one-has-learned-to-merge-with-the- Cosmic-Mind.- ISwamiVishnuDevananda Mayyourpracticeofmeditationdeepenyourconnectionandunionwiththe spiritual,universalawareness. Traditional,Meditative,Mantra(example) Sarvesham-Shantir-Bhavatu- MayPeaceBeUntoAll Sarvesham-Svasti-Bhavatu MayProsperitybeUntoAll Lokah-Samastah-Sukhino-Bhavantu- MayHappinessBeUntotheWholeWorld Sarvesham-Shantir-Bhavatu- MayPeaceBeUntoAll ***AUMSHANTISHANTISHANTIAUM***

97 SWADHIYAYA,TECHNIQUE, IntheYogicsystemofselfIstudyithasbeenfoundtobeasimportanttodividethe mindintoitsvariouspartsasitistodividethebodyintomanycomponents.these aredivisionswithinthemindandnotthebrain.likethebodyanditsmanyorgans, theenergybodywithitsmanynadisandchakras,themindisdivided,butintosix basicdirections.knowingwhatthesearecangreatlyhelpustoseejustwhatis goingoninthedifferentareasofourlives.thefourcardinaldirectionsthatwe mentionedinchapterone,addingaboveandbelow,giveusthesixmaindirections ofmind.forthepurposeofexaminingandgettingtoknowwhatliesinthefar reachingcornersofourminds,yogaemploysthisanalyticaltechnique.ournormal mind,functioninginthematerialworld,movesoutintothefourdirectionsofthat world.eachofthoseisadistinctareaofthoughtandalthoughwenormallythinkat randomandpaylittleattentiontowhereourthoughtscomefrom,orwheretheyare leadingus,itispossibletonarrowdownthescopeofourseeminglyinfiniteideas. Thismethodtakesadvantageofthefourtypesofenergieswhichareknowntobe attributedtoeachofthosedirections(fourofthechakras),byactuallyfacingthose directionsandobservingtheinfluenceeachhasonourstreamofthought.itis requiredthatthestudentpayspecificattentiontohoweachthoughtisoriginating. Priortothisonemustslowdownthemindwithabreathingtechniquesuchas Savitri,focusingonthebreathuntilonefindsthespacesbetweenthoughts(where wecansimplyfeelthebreathmovinginorout). West welooktoseeourownselfiimage.whatdowethinkabouthowwe arelivingourlives,howdowefeelaboutit,howdowefeelphysicallyand

98 emotionally?thisisthedirectionofthesettingsun,thedayisoverandwego intothedarkness.hereliesthesubconscious,andourpast South howdowestandinallourrelations?areweongoodtermswith everyoneweknoworarethereunresolvedproblems,unspokenthoughts needingtobeexpressed?dowefeelpresent,blissfulandflowingwith others? East thedirectionoftherisingsun,thecomingdayandwhatiscomingup foryou.whereisyourlifegoing,what syourvisionandhowactiveareyou inmanifestingthatvision?whatisyourlevelofoptimismandvitality?are youstuckinoldhabits?whatchangesareneeded? North Intellectuallyhowdoyoulookatlife?Doeswhatyouknowsupport whatyouaredoingwithyourlife ordoesyourheadcontainconflicting theoriesaboutanyofit?theoriesandconceptsaboundinthisdirection. Thedirectionsaboveandbelowareofcourseheavenandearth.The formerpullsusupintotherealmsbeyondthisworldandintofeelingsofeternal bliss,thelatterpullsusintothemomentofhereandnowwithtisbodysensations. AllofthesetogethermakeuptheriverofthoughtsofwhichtheBuddhaspoke,only afewofwhichreachthesurfaceofthemind(awareness).duringthispracticeyou maybecomeawareofthedepthoftheriverandhowmuchitisflowing.the directionscangreatlyhelpustounderstandthatsourcefromwhichourconscious thoughtsarise.

99 SAVITRI,PRANAYAMA:therhythmicbreath. Breathingratioforrelaxedevolutionarylearning. Forbalancingtheentirenervoussystem. Calmsemotionsandstabilizesthemind. Thisbreathisusedasthebasisforallpranajnanakriyas,(relaxation),pratyahara, (sensewithdrawal),andthedharana,(concentration)ofrajayoga. SavitriisthegoddessofrhythmintheHindusymbolism.Thisbreathisnamedafter herbecauseitcreatesrhythmicenergyflowsthroughthenervoussystem. Automatically,thetensionandstresspresentanywhereinthenervesisironedout. Thebreathistakeninandletouttothesametimecycle,anditisheldinandoutfor halfofthattime.fourpartsarerequiredforeachbreath:in,held,out,heldout.both theinhalationandexhalationareequalinduration,whiletheretentionsinandout arealsoequal;inthiswayitcreatesperfectbalance.asuitabletimecyclesfor generalpurposeis8x4x8x4,atonesecondpercount.energyandoxygenaredrawn inandabsorbedduringtheinhalation,puraka,absorbedandpushedouttoallparts

100 ofthebodyduringtheretention,kumbhaka,letoutandreleasedduringthe exhalation,rechaka,andsuckedordrawnoutduringtheheldoutbreath,shunyaka. Thegentlyrhythmicsurgeofenergyoutfromandintothecentralnervoussystem, createdbythisbreathing,hasapowerfuleffectontheentiresystem,movingenergy throughallareas,thenreleasingtheenergyflowtorelaxtheentirebeing.ourbasic breathingimpulseisastronggoverningforcethatinfluencesallotherenergyflows inthenervoussystem.infactitisused,alongwiththeheartbeat,tosetthebasic paceformostbodyfunctions.ourfeelingsandemotionsalsoworkthroughthe breath.forinstance,whenfearhitsus,weholdourbreath.whenhappywelaugh (usingthebreath),andwhenwearesadenoughwecry anotheractiontotally dependentonthebreath.itfollowsthen,thattakingcontrolofthebreathleadsto controlofthefeelings,emotions,(fear,joy,sadness),andoftheenergiesthat producethesefeelings.inregulatingthebreathwiththesavitrirhythm,whatwe takeinandwhatweletgo,becomeequalandthesame.theheldiinandheldiout breathsaretimesofabsorptionanddischarge,bothareequallength. Whenpracticingthetechnique,payparticularattentiontoallpartsofthebreath, completelyfillingandemptyingthelungseachtime.ontheretentionsbesureto relaxfully.tentotwentyminutesisagoodstartingtime;itcanbedoneforhours. Thisisagentlytechniquewhichcansafelybetaughttopeopleofallages allowing studentstofollowtheirfeelingswiththeretentionsandnotforceanything. MOKSHA%JNANAKRIYA:aliberatingrelaxationtechnique. Thiskriyashouldbedividedintofourparts: 1. Therecallofanegativeeventorhappening. 2. Visualizingthepersonresponsibleforthehurt. 3. Seethepartplayedbyyourself. 4. VisualizetheperfectselfIimage. AfterdoingatleastnineroundsofSavitripranayama,relaxwithhandsatyoursides, palmsup.recallsomehurtfulexperienceandthinkaboutit,visualizingitonyour hands,untilthehandsbecomeheavy.oneadeepinibreath,raisethehandsskyward andthenwiththeexhalationblowthememoryawayoutofyourlife.whenthe handsbecomelight,flopthembacktothesides,palmsup. Next,recallthepersonwhowasresponsibleforthehurt.Seethatpersonasclearly asyoucaninyourmind seye,placingthatpersoninyourhandsagain.withadeep inhalation,raiseyourhandshighuptothesky,thenblowthemaway.whenthe handsbecomelight,flopthembacktothesides,palmsup.

101 Nowrecallthepartwhichyouplayedinbringingaboutthishurtfulevent;takeas muchblameaspossible.thenputthisblameoutintothepalmsofyourhandsand withadeepinhalationonceagainraiseyourarmsupintotheskyandpushthe blameawayoutofyourmind,whilepushingoutthebreath.dropthehandsdown again. Finally,createthebestpossibleselfIimagethatoyucanofyourselfashappy, healthy,selfisufficientandspirituallyevolving.putthisimageintoyourhands,raise themuptoaninhalation,holdyourbreathinwhiletryingtoletgooftheimage.as youletgoofthebreath,allowtheimagetoflowdownyourarmsbackintoyour whilebody.thenrelaxthearmsbackdownslowly,andtakeafewrelaxedbutdeep breaths,savitriistyle,reintegratingthatimagebackintoyourself. NADI,JNANA,KRIYA, Thiskriyaiscalledthe runioff becauseitcleansesthenervoussystemof memoryimpulseswhichkeepbubblingupformthesubiconscious,justasastream cleansesthecreekbedofanydebrisandleechesitawayinthespringrunioff. Imagineyourbodytobealong,hollowtube,(abambootube,concretepipeora conduitofsometype).rumblingdownthroughthistubeisdirt,cinders,muddy water,gravel,rocks,oil,blackorgreysubstanceoranysimilarnegativesymbol. AfteraminimumofnineroundsofSavitripranayama,letthebreathbecomelight andshallow,(sukshmapranayama),andcontinuevisualizingthisrunioffasitslowly becomesmoreclear.graduallyitcomestothepointwhereonlyclearmountain streamwaterisflowingthroughyou.thenjustrelaxcompletely.

102 Active,Practice, Swadhistana,Chakra,Routine, Fluidlyandlackofstiffness,evenlackofform,aresomeofthefeelingsthat predominateinthisarea.imagineyourselfaswaterinaplasticbagwhileyouare movingfromoneposetoanother.themovementofbodyfluidscreatesfeelings withinus,sofeelthatprocess.whenintouchwiththischakraenergy,theflow becomeslikeadance,andwithadequatedeepbreathing,thefeelingsgenerated throughthatdancebecomequiteblissful. 1. BeginwithawarmIuproutinethatincludesbendingforward,backwardand tothesides,butnowdoitinawaythatisfocusedonthemovementrather thantheposition.movearoundintheposesoastowiggleyourwayfurther intoit.breatheasusual. 2. AIUIMdonewiththethreehandmudras,aftercleansingbreath. 3. Nowworkwithsomeoftheserpentpostures,sarpa%kriyas.Lyingonthe abdomen,headisliftedupfirst,thenneck,shoulders,andchest,withthe armsbytheside,andtheclaspedtogetherbehindthebackasafurther extension.addsomesideitoisidemotionwhenyouareintheliftedpose. Followthesewiththecobra,cominguptoaninIbreathandturningsideto sidetolookatyourfeel.#50 4. Dridhasana.Lieonyoursidewithyourheadrestingonyourforearm;with theinibreathraisetheupperlegstraightup,slidingyourhanduptograb yourankleandthenpullingthefootupoveryourhead.feelwhatis stretching.dobothsides#70 5. Fromtheabdominalposition,salabasana,thegrasshopper,isdonelifting onelegatatime.eachlegiskeptstraight;themovementupanddownis synchronizedwiththemovementofthebreath.focusonfeelingtheareaof thelowerback.#46 6. Comeupontoallfoursanddosometigerbreathing,thenthetigress.Feelthe bend,startingfromthetailboneandmovingupthespine.makesurethe motionremainsfluidandyou refocusedonthatflow.checkyourbreathing tomakesureitisdeep.#33,34 7. SitIcrossIleggedanddoatwisttoeachsidebycrossingonearmovertothe oppositekneeandcontinuingtoturnineachdirection.exhaleeachwayand feelyourspine.

103 8. Paschimottanasana.Sittingwithyourlegsoutfront,gointoaforward stretchwhileexhalingandsitbackupwiththeinhalation.dobothvariations ofthisone,tryingtobringyourheaddowntoyourknees,andthesecondone whereyoukeepyourbackstraightertoprovideagreaterstretchtothelower back.nowmakeitmoreflexiblebymovinggentlyfromsidetosideand gettingintouchwithyourfluidity.#72 9. Standupforsomemoreflowingbends.Thistimeinnovatemovementsand keepdoingthemuntilyoufeelyouhavenorigidstructureleft.getyourwhile bodyinvolvedinthistwisting,turning,bendingdance.dothisfor10minutes ormore. 10. Sitinvajrasanaagainanddosomeabdominalbreathingforacoupleof minutes,thengointotheabdominallift,nauli%kriya.observehowitfeelsto putpressureinthereandthenletitgo. 11. Parighasana,thelockedgateposture.Comeupontothekneesandplaceone legstraightouttotheside.inhaledeeply,thenbendovertheextendedleg wilelettingthebreathoutandslidingthehanddownthatleg.onceyouare downthere,turnyourbodyfromthesidebendintoaforwardbendby twistingyourhipstotheside.movebackandforthwithit,thencomeupwith thebreathandchangesides.remembertostayinmotion.# Kakasana,thecrow.Fromthesquat,placeyourhandsonthefloorinfrontof youwithfingersspread.leanforwardontoyourhandsbyplacingyourknees ontoyourbentelbowsandshiftingyourwrightforwarduntilyourfeetcome offtheground.thereisaneedtodevelopbalancehere.shakeoutyourhands afterthis.# Sittingontheheelsagain,placeyourfingertipsinfrontofyourkneeswith palmsfacingawayfromyou.moveyourbodyweightforwardontoyour handssoastostretchyourhandsandforearms.stayforawhile,breathing deepandlettinggoofthetensionwitheveryexhaledbreath.attheend, shakeoutyourhandsagainuntiltheyfeeltotallyloose. 14. CleansingbreaththreetimesfollowedbythecorpsepostureandSavitripranayama.Onceyouhavebeenwellestablishedwiththebreathforaperiod oftime,letitgocompletelyandbeginnadi-jnana-kriya,the runioff technique.thisisamethodofcleansingthenervoussystemofconscious memoryimpulses. SYNOPSISofSWADHISTANACHAKRA

104 NAME:Swadhistana YOGA:JnanaYoga GENDER:Feminine ELEMENT:Water FORCE:Covalence,adhesion MEDITATIVEDIRECTION:South YANTRASYMBOL:Crescentmooninsix0sidedmandala ENERGYCOLOR:Orange SOUND:Wung(Wisbetweenvandw) SENSEPERCEPTION:Taste ACTION:Handactions NERVEPLEXI:Hypogastricplexus PHYSIOLOGICALCONNECTIONS: GLANDS:Adrenals ORGANS:Kidneys,Bladder OTHER:Lymphandotherfluids PSYCHOLOGICALCHARACTERISTICS: POSITIVE Diplomacy Goodsocialskills OpenIminded Appreciative Sensitive Nurturing NEGATIVE Procrastination Lackingpracticality Indecisive Passive Overlyinfluenced

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107 CHAPTER,3, Manipura,Chakra, City-of-Jewels- Manipurainstigateschangeandtransformationinthemanifestworld.Itis theforcethatbreaksapartsomeofthebondscreatedbyswadhistanaenergy andbringsaboutasubsequentliberationofenergywhichweperceiveasthe fireelement. AtthemolecularleveltheforceofManipuramovesintotherealmof quantumphysics,instigatingtheliberationofenergyfromthequantaof energythatmakeuptheatoms. Attheuniversallevelthisfireelementistheenergyweseeaslightandfeel asheat,whetherfromacampfire,alightbulb,orthesun.manipuraisenergy thathasbeenliberatedorreleasedfrommatter,ormatterthathasbeen transformedintoenergy. Atthephysiologicallevelitisresponsibleforthetransformationand liberationofenergyfromthefoodwehaveeaten.thisincludesthe destructionofwhatweeatsoastoenabledigestion,andthesubsequent changingofsomeofthosenutrientsintoenergyformotionandaction. Atthepsychologicallevelitmotivateschange,action,creativity(especially visual)andspontaneity.peopledominatewiththisforceareoftenperceived asnoniconformists. ELEMENT, Fire:theenergy/powerofcombustionandtransformation.Thisforcetriggersthe releaseofoneatomfromanother,liberatingheatandlight.energylinesfromthe universecrossatanangleof36degreestocreatetheelementalforcethatwemost easilyrecognizeasenergyitself.whentheelectromagneticlinesthatareweaving thefabricoftheuniverseintersectatsuchangles,theysparktheelementoffire.it s anotherholographicpartoftheillusion.wedon tneedtolookfaroutintothe universetoseethisone:thesunitselfisthemostblazingexampleofthis transformativefirepower.withthispower,matterischangedintoenergywhichwe seeaslightandfeelasheat.withoutitwewouldnotseeanythingatall,norwould anyorganiclifeexist.justasthesunprovidestheheatforthingstogrowonthe planet,withinthemicrocosmitisthesolarcenterofeachatom,theradiantnucleus thatgiveslifeandlighttoeachatom.thisfireelementgiveseachcellitsheatand

108 energy;itisthetransformingpowerofthedigestiveprocessthatbreaksdownthe foodintocomponentsrequiredforbuildingandenergizingthebody.takentoofar however,andwithoutthebalanceoftheotherelements,thisfirecandryandwither things,evaporatingthewateroutofthemandthusdestroyingthelifethatwas originallythere.atthecellularlevelitcancreatetoomuchheatandterminatecell activity,asinahighfever.fireintisdestructivenaturecanburn. Transformationisakeywordinallthechemicalreactionswhichtakeplacewithin thedigestiveprocess,aswellasthroughoutthebody.wearelikelaboratories, whereorganicchemicalchangesarecontinuouslyprovidinguswithenergyinthe formsofheatandactivity.inthelaboratorywecanproducethesimplestofthese changes:forexample,wemakeawatermoleculebybringingtogetheranatomof oxygenwithtwoatomsofhydrogen.inthatprocesstheatomsinvolvedjoin togetherandbeginsharingsomeoftheirelectrons.thatleavesanexcessof electrons,whicharethenliberatedandleavethenewmoleculeasradiantheat,or

109 light,orifitiswithinourbodythatenergycanbecomepowerforactivity.ofcourse themultitudeofchemicalchangesthatoccurintheprocessofdigestingevena simplemealcanbeconsiderablymorecomplexthantheformationofwater,butthe basicprincipleremainsthesame:electronsareliberatedfromatomsandbecome energy. AsIhavebeenpointingout,chemicalreactionsaremanifestationsofManipira energy.whenwelookatthechangesthatoccurinthesereactions,wecanseethat theelectronsplayamajorroleinjoiningatomstogether,orinseparatingthem.in anotherway,theseelectronsbythemselvesaresemiiindependentenergyquantum thathaveastronginfluenceonourwholesystem.lookingcloselyattheionization process,wefindthatanatomormoleculethathasanextraelectronhasanextra chargeofelectricity.throughouttheatmospherewecanfindionizedairinmany places,usuallyinrichquantitiesbytheseashoreorelseintheforest.theseare chargedparticles(withextraelections),andinchapter1welookedathowwe absorbsomeofthe charges throughourolfactorysystemwhenwebreaththrough ournoses.whatwearedoinginfactistakinginthoseextraelectionsandabsorbing themdirectlyintoournervoussystem.theseextraelectronsareknownasprana, theenergythatkeepsourphysicalbodyalive,andarethechargingpowerforthe fireelement,manipura(fig.3b). Pranacanbeabsorbedandaccumulatedinourbiologicalsystemjustaselectricity canbestoredinabatter.ineachcase,therawquantaofenergywearedealingwith isthesame,bothconsistofelectrons.inthepracticeofyogathispranaisgathered andaccumulatedintheenergyreserveswecallchakras.likevortexesofflowing power,theycanbecomehighlycharged,evenovericharged;consequentlycare shouldbetakentokeepthingsinbalance,throughawarenessandtheuseof appropriatetechniques. Oneofthesideeffectsofournormalbodychemistry,withallofitsreactions,isthe productionofatomsthatalsohavemissingelectrons.thesearetheoppositeof prana,andofcourse,havetheoppositeeffectonourenergy.theseatomsand moleculeshavecometobeknownas freeradicals (fig.3c)andareknowntocause damagingeffectsonthehealthycellswithinourbodies.evenoxygen,oneofour mostvitalnutrients,becomesafreeradicalanddetrimentaltous.freeradicals literallysuchtheelectronstheyneedfromothercellcomponents,thereby weakeningthecellsandcausingcellulardeterioration.thisonlyhappenswhenwe aredeficientinprana,which,unfortunately,isthenormalstateofmanyhumansin today sworld.thesefreeradicalscanbeneutralizedthroughcontactwithother substancesthathaveextraelectrons substanceswhichhavecometobecalled antiioxidants. Oxygenitselfisobviouslyanothersubstanceweabsorbthroughdeepbreathing. Whenwedothisdeepbreathinginanaturalenvironmentchangedwithprana,we gaintwoifold.otherwisewegainatleasttheoxygenrequiredformetabolism,the basicfueltokeepourselveswarmandmoving.studentsofyogashouldkeepthese

110 aspectsofpranaandoxygeninmindtomotivatethemwhentheypractice pranayama. Thecosmicfireprincipleissymbolizedinvariousculturesasaninvertedred triangle.thetriangleisredbecausethatcoloristhelowestfrequencyofthe spectrum,symbolizingthematerialworld thesolidpartofit,inthestateof combustion.thetrianglehasitspointdowntoshowthattheenergyisdirected downwardfromhere.thedigestiveprocessisanasexampleofthedownward energeticmotion,wherethefoodweeatisbrokendownintothebuildingblocksfor ourphysicalbody(chakra1),andalsobecomesthefuelforenergizingand activatingit.energymovesfromheredowntothelowerchakras.thethreesides andthreepointsofthetrianglealsoindicatethetrinityofthesethreelowerchakras, theforcesthatkeeplifehappeningatthebodylevel.itisinthistrinityofforcesthat mostpeopleoperatein normal materialexistence.outsideofthattriangleisateni sidedmandalainyellowrepresentingtheflamesofthefireelement.thismaterial partisthesubstancebeingunraveled,aswhenasolidfuelisbeingburnedto producefire.thisistransformation;matterisbeingchangedtoenergy.things consumedbyfirearenotdestroyedbutraisedinspeedofvibrationuntilthereisa spontaneousreleaseofenergywhichweperceiveaslightandheat;bothoftheseare electromagneticwaves,onceagainliberatedfromtheconfinementofmatter.this spontaneouscombustionspreadsautomatically,fromatomtoatom,fromonething toanotheruntileverythingisburning;foreverythingburnsifyouraisethe temperatureenough(thespeedofvibration).inthesun,matterhardlyexistsexcept inastateoftransformation. Manipurachakraisthatpower,wellcenteredinthenervegroupofthesolar,plexus yourpersonalsuncenter.inthehinduversionofthisvortexwefindthedeity Shiva thegodoftransformation,sometimesseenasthedestroyerofoutworn forms.inorderforsomethingtochangeitneedstoceasebeingwhatitwas.this elementoftransformationcanbefoundfromthefireenergyofthedigestivesystem, transformingfoodintoenergy,outtothemitochondria(thosemicroscopic powerplants),ineverycellinyourbody.itcanbefeltasaradiantglowingforce aroundyourstomachareduringtimesofactivity;itcanalsobefeltinamoresubtle waythroughoutthecellsofthebodyasawarmtinglingsensationduringtimesof relaxationafterdeepbreathing. Inthesolarplexusitismorethanjusttingling,asitdevelopsintohunger,astronger feelingthatisnotjustanexperiencebyitselfbutbringswithitareactivetendency whichisusuallyoverpowering.thushungerleadstoeating;werarelyignorethis forlong.theenergyofmanipuraleadsyoutoreact:thereactionofeatingwhen hungrymaybeverynaturalandinstinctive,notonethatweeasilyignore.whatyou eatisaquestionofpastexperienceandoldhabits,whichisanotherpowerfulsideof thischakra,energymovingalongitsownpathinthesameoldpatterns.thisisa powerfulenergy,butweneedtounderstandthatitcanbetamedandharnessed;it canbedirected(orreidirected)aswechangeourhabitsfromdestructiveto constructive.wecanlearnaboutwhichfoodsactuallynourishourcells,thenmake

111 itanewhabittochoosethattypeoffood.hungerisaverybasicimpulselettingus knowofourphysiologicalneedforfuel.onlyourcivilizedappetitesgetintheway andtakeusondetoursofpleasure.whenourhungerissatisfiedandwehaveour fuel,thenitprovidesuswiththeenergyrequiredtoperformtheactionsoftheday. Theseactionsareallpartofthischakra.Theenergyofactivityawakensinthis centerasaspark,aninspirationinthementalpartoftheenergyflow.thatspark thenignitedthefirewithinthecells,themetabolismwithinthemusclesthat generatesactivityandmovement.itmaybegininthemindasagentlythoughtof somethingwewanttodo(orneedto).thenwillpowerignitestocreatethereality ofdoingitinthephysicalworld.,,

112 , ENDOCRINE,GLAND:, Thepancreasliesjustbehindthelowerpartofthestomach.Itisthesecondlargest glandinthebodyandisbothanendocrineandanexocrinegland.anendocrine glandbydefinitionsecretesitshormonalfluidsdirectlyintothebloodstream,tobe circulatedtoitsdestination.anexocrineglandhasaductthroughwhichittransfers itsfluidstoaveryspecificdestination.initsexocrinefunctionthepancreas producesdigestivejuices(pancreaticjuices)andreleasesthemthroughatube,the pancreaticduct,totheintestine.thejuicesaremadeupofthousandsofenzymes usedinthedigestiveprocess.therearegroupsfortheseenzymes,onegroupwhich mayactspecificallyonsoyproteinsforinstance,thenwithinthegroupareseveral specifictypesthattargetspecificproducts,tofu,ortempehorsoymilk,etc.these cleverchemicalshaveamolecularstructurethatenablesthemtoentermoleculesof thefoodweeatandcausethemtobreakapart.thisdestructivenatureispartofthe transformationprocedurethatisnecessaryforliberatingenergyinthebody.for thoseofusinvolvedinthepracticeofyoga,itbecomespossibletoenhancethese digestivefunctionsbyincreasingtheamountofenergyinthethirdchakra.theright breathingtechniquesandmovements(aswellassoundsandvisualizations)will stimulatetheglandtoproducemoreenzymesasneeded.whentravelingtoforeign landsandencounteringnewfoodsforinstance,newenzymesareneededtodigest them.withanabundantamountoffreeflowingenergyinthischakra,thiswill happenautomatically.thiswouldalsomeanthatenergywouldbeflowingfreely throughtheimagination,enhancingthemind/bodyconnection. Theendocrinefunctionofthepancreasistocontroltheamountofsugarinthe blood.thecellsthatcontrolbloodsugarlevelsaretheisletsoflangerhans.these islandsaremicroscopicclumpsofcellsscatteredthroughoutthepancreatictissue amongtheothercells,butconcentratedsomewhatinthetailofthepancreas. Therearetwokindsofcellsintheislets:alphaandbeta.Thealphacellssecretea hormonecalledglucagonandthebetacellssecreteinsulin.insulinandglucagon workasacheckandbalancesystemregulatingthebody sbloodsugarlevel. Glucagonacceleratesaprocessoftheliverbywhichtheglucosestoredintheliver cellsintheformofglycogenisconvertedtoglucose;[thisprocessofconversionalso goestheotherway,(glucosetoglycogen),dependingonthebodyneeds].the glucosethenleavesthelivercellsandenterstheblood.thisprocesstendsto increasetheconcentrationofglucoseintheblood.insulinisanantidotetoglucagon. Itdecreasestheamountofbloodglucoseconcentrationbyacceleratingits movementoutoftheblood,throughcellmembranes,andintocells.asglucose entersthecellsatafasterrate,thecellsincreasetheirmetabolismofglucose,thus providinguswithmoreenergy. Allcarbohydratefoods,suchasbread,potatoes,cerealsandsweets,arebroken downintoglucosethroughtheactionofsalivaandtheenzymesmentionedabove.in

113 thisformtheycanbeabsorbedbyeverycellinthebody,includingthecellsinthe liver,oneofwhosemajorrolesistostoresugar.cellseverywhereinthebody absorbglucoseandburnitinstructurescalledmitochondria,usingtheenergyit containsandproducingcarbondioxideandwaterasbyiproducts.thisburningiup processisthebody sprinciplesourceofenergy.itcannottakeplacewithoutinsulin. Diabetesoccurswhenthepancreasfailstosecretenoughinsulinandasaresultthe bodycellsarenottriggeredtotakeinglucoseandburnit.thebloodsugarremains toohigh,whilethecellsrunoutoffuel.alsotonote,inthecomplexityofourbody chemistry,suchthingsasvitaminb,isalsoneededtoconvertsugarintoenergy. Delicatebalanceofsubstancesisessentialjustasthedelicatebalanceofenergies requiredtokeepfunctionsinorder.becauseyogatechniquescaneasilyboost productionwithintheisletsoflangerhans,thesituationcanbechangedrather quickly.however,beforethiscanoccurthereisamajorresistancethatneedstobe overcomeatthementallevel,intheformofthebeliefsystemaroundthedisease.as oneenterstherealmofmindovermater,orbody/mindmedicineasitiscalledthese days,theroleofourmentalbeliefsystemisseentobeverysignificant. OTHER,PHYSIOLOGICAL,FUNCTIONS, Thedigestivesystemisresponsibleforprocessingfood,breakingitdowninto usableproteins,carbohydrates,minerals,fats,andothersubstances,and introducingtheseintothebloodstreamsothatthebodycanusethem.thedigestive, oralimentary,tractbeginsatthemouth,wheretheteethandtonguebeginthe breakdownoffood,aidedbysalivasecretedbythesalivaryglands.boththe enzymesinthesalivaandvariousvitaminsareimportantinthisprocess,whichgoes fromthemouthallthewaythroughthedigestivesystem.vitaminsareoftenthe catalyststhroughwhichotherchemicalprocessesoccur.mostcarbohydrates requirethoroughchewingandmixingwithsaliva,whichneedstohappeninthe mouth;thisisamajorpartofthedigestion.thechewedfood,combinedwithsaliva, isswallowed,carryingitinperistalitic(contractile)wavesdowntheesophagusto thestomach.inthestomach,thefoodcombineswithhydrochloricacid,which furtherassistsinbreakingitdown.allofthisbreakingdownutilizesthepowerof thethirdchakra,theenergyoftransformation:forsomethingtochangeintoanew sybstanceitmuststopbeingwhatitwas.inthiswaytheforcesofdestructionare oftenseenaspartofthisenergy,andverymuchpartofdigfestion.atvariouspoints inthedigestivetract,thestomach,thepancreas,liver,andgallbladdersecrete enzymes,whichaidinthedigestiveprocess.whenthefoodisthoroughlydigested, thefluidremaing,calledchime,ispassedthroughthepyloricsphinctertothesmall intestineandlatertothelargeintestine.withinthelong,convolutedintestinal canals,thenutrientsareabsorbedfromthechimeintothebloodstream,leavingthe unusableresidue.atleastthisisthewayitwordsundernormalconditionswhen thefoodhasbeenproperlychewedanddigested.afterallthebreakingdown throughthefireelement,itisofcoursethewaterelementwhichtakesthenutrients

114 aroundthebodytobedistributedtothecells.theresiduethathasnotbeen absorbedpassesthroughthecolon(wheremostofthewaterisabsorbedintothe bloodstream)andintotherectum,whereitisstoredpriortoexcretion.thissolid waste,calledfeces,iscompactedtogetherand,uponexcretion,passesthroughthe analcanalandtheanus. Theliveristhelargestofthebody sorgansandisresponsibleformanyimportant functions.weighingaboutthreepounds,theredibrownorganfeaturesahigh degreeofvascularity,thatis,itcontainsahighconcentrationofbloodvessels,which givesitadarkcolor.locatedmostlyontherightsideoftheabdominalcavity,just belowthediaphragm,theliveraidsinthedigestionoffatsbysecretingbileintothe duodenum.theliveralsodestroyswornioutredbloodcells;formsureafrom ammonia,fortheexcretionofnitrogenouswastes;formsfibrinogen,usedinblood coagulation;storedglycogen;helpsinthemetabolismandstorageofvitamins;and producesprotectiveandantitoxicsubstances,amongitsmanyfunction.thisisone organthatrunsontheenergyofboththesecondandthirdchakras.oneofthose importantfunctionsistheremovalofoldredbloodcells.notonlyaretheyremoved butalsotakenapartandtheircomponentsrecycledandusedintheproductionof bile,whiletheironistakenfromthehemoglobinandstoredforuseinfutureblood production.excessaminoacidsfromthehemoglobin,aswellasfromalltheother proteinsthatarebrokendown,areeitherusedbytheversatilehepaticcellsfor buildingnewproteinsorarefurtherbrokendowntoprovideenergy.itiseven known(insomeeasternschools)thatsomeaminoacidsarerecombinedtoproduce vitamins. InIndiatherearesomerarepeoplewhobecomebreatharians,takingnonutrition otherthanfromtheairtheybreath;partoftheexplanationforthispossibility,from theperspectiveofwesternphysiologyistheliver samazingabilitytorecycle providingwhateverweneedfromwhateverwehave,(breatharianslivingisnot recommendedforbeginningyogastudents).someaminoacidsarebrokendownin theliverandconvertedintothesugarglucose,whichisthenstoredinthehepatic cellsasglycogen,readyforturningbackintoglucoseandenergy.thehepaticcell alsoservesasabankforvitaminsa,b,d,e,andk,excessamountsofwhichare storedforarainyday.thesizeofthesevitaminstorescanbesoenormousthata wellinourishedpersoncangofromonthswithoutvitaminaandtwotofouryears withoutvitaminb12withoutsignofdeficiency,eveninnormalpeople.(vitamin B12ispartoftheelaborateBIcomplex,afamilyofabout22Bvitamins).Theability tochangethingsisanaturalfunctionofthecombustiveenergy,breakingthings apart,whileintheliveritworksincombinationwiththesecondchakraenergy, whichrecombinesthepiecesintoneedednutrientsorotherbodycomponents.one oftheotherrecyclingfunctionsoftheliveristhatoftakinglacticacid,producedby workingmuscles,andchangingitintoglycogen.thisprocessrequiredtheaddition ofoxygenatomstochangethechemicalnatureoftheacid.inordertofulfillits functions,theliverhasahighneedforoxygen,oneofitsbasicfuels.whenthisis suppliedthroughpranayamayoga,theliverbecomesmorecapableofreicombining foodelementsintowhatweneed,andweinturnbecomelessdependentonsucha

115 varietyoffoods.didyoueverwonderhowacowcanhaveallthevitamins,minerals andproteinsthatitrequireswhenit sonlyeatinggrass?ifcowscandoit,howmuch morecapablearehumans?alsoconsiderthatthese greens thecowsareeating mustinfactbeafairlycompletefood. NADIS,AND,PRANAMAY,KOSHA:, NadiistheSanskritwordforenergypathway.Withinourenergybody(auricfield), whichiscalledpranamayakoshainyoga,aremanypathwaysalongwhichthat energyflows,aswellasmanypatternsintowhichitformsitself.thesepathshave beenwelldefinedinoldtextsanddiagrams,andalwayswithreferencetothethree mainpathsthatseemtobetheprincipleroutes.thesearecalledida,pingalaand Shushumna.StudentswithaWesterneducationwilloftentendtothinkofthesein termsofthenervoussystem,butitisimportanttounderstandthattheyarenotthe samething.althoughnadimeansductorconduit,inyogaitreferstothepatternsin whichtheenergyflows.justasthetravelercanwanderoffthepath,socanenergy movewithoutaconductor.infactitiswellknowninyogathatenergyflowsiswhat createsthepath,liketravelerswalkingoverthesamegroundanumberoftimeswill makethepath.

116 Aswehaveseewiththechakras,universalenergydoestendtoformitselfinto geometricpatternswehavecometoknowasmandalas.asthisisthenatureof universalenergy,itisalsoreflectedinthewayourenergymovesfrombraintobody andviceversa.theseflowpatternshavebeenexperiencedforeonsandoften expressedthroughdrawings.regardingthethreemainductsorchannelsofenergy, thesedrawingsdepictthemascrissicrossingwavylines,withthecentralchannel beingalargestraightverticalshaft.thesetwoidimensionaldrawingsareattempting toillustrateanenergyflowwhichmovesinathreedimensionalworld(seefigure3 d).intherealworld,theenergywavesareactuallyspirals,andjustasthechakra vortexesarespiralingaroundthespine,thesemainenergypathwaysarealsogoing aroundthecentralnervoussystemlikeaspiralstairway.fig.3eshowsachinese versionofthistypeofenergywherethethreedimensionaspectofthespiralsis moreobvious,andwheretheserpentkundalinihasadragonhead. Inthewordstodescribetheflowingoftheseenergiesitiswrittenthatthesolar currentflowingthroughthepingalamovestotheright,whilethelunarcurrent movestotheleft.thatdoesnotmeanonesideandtheother.rememberthatweare talkingaboutspirals;so,theyareeitherflowingtotherightclockwise,ortothe left"countericlockwise. Yogiswhoareworkingdirectlywiththeseforcescanfeelthemmovinginthese ways,andcometorealizethatwhentheenergyspiralstotheleft,itgoesdownward, whenspiralingtotheright,theenergymovesupward.inthoseplaceswheretheup anddownspiralsmeetwefindcondensationsoftheseenergiesintovortexesknown aschakras.

117 Thesolarcurrentsofpingalaareclearlyconnectedtothesolarplexusandthethird chakraenergy.itspowerisdynamic,activating,creativeandbrilliant.justasthesun bringslighttoturnonthedayandawakenthecreaturesoftheworld,sodoesthe innersolarcurrentturnonourmetabolism.withinournervoussystemthereare activatingfunctionslikethemotorneuronsthatconductenergyimpulsestomake usmove;otherimpulsesstimulatedigestion,metabolism,creativethinkingand imagination.allofthesefunctionsarepluggedintothesolarcurrentofpingala.it equatestothemasculine,thedoor.oursympatheticnervoussystem,whichtriggers extremeaction,asinthefightorflightresponse,wouldalsobeconnectedtothis solarcurrent. Ida,ontheotherhand,iscalledthelunarcurrent.Asyoumayhavenoted,themoon shedsnolightofitsown,itsimplyreflectsthelightofthesun.sincethesuncurrent activatesthebodyandmind,whatdoesthelunarcurrentdotoreflectthat?it reflectswhatisgoingonbacktothemind.thisisthereceptiveandperceptive aspectofourenergyflow likeabioifeedbacksystemthatkeepsthebrainwell informedaboutallthedetailsofbodyprocessesandconditions.wecouldlookat thispartofourenergyflowasthesensitive,feminine,aspectthatallowsusto observeourbodysensationsandactions.partofthenervoussystemrelatedtothis lunarcurrentistheparaisympathetic,whichfunctionstorelaxouractionsand metabolism. ThethirddivisioninourenergyflowisShushumna.Morecloselylinkedtothe spinalcordandcentralnervoussystem,shushumnaisliethepolaraxisofallthe universalstructures.itisthecentralaxisaroundwhichthechakrasswirl.onthe planetaryscale thenorth/southpolaraxisaroundwhichtheearthspins.inthe overalleggshapeofpranamayakosha,shushumnaisthecentralupwardflow throughwhichgreaterandgreateramountsofenergyaregarnetedwithyoga practice.usuallyasignificantproportionofourenergyismovingoutaroundthe peripheryofthategg(aura),inidaandpingala,andintheperipheralnervesinour bodies.withthemoreadvancedyogicpracticesenergyisreichanneledtothe center,andthesemorepotentflowscreateblissfulfeelingsandhigherstatesof consciousness. JNANENDRIYA(senseperception) TheouterworldsenseconnectedwithManipuraisthatofseeing.Thismeansthat thereisaneurologicalconnectionbetweentheeyes,theopticnerveandthesolar plexus;theopticthalamiareinvolvedheretoo(twolargeoblongmassesofgrey matterformingapartofthemidibrain).fastingissomethingwellknowninmany spiritualtraditionsasatechniqueforraisingone senergytoahigherlevel,often usedasprerequisitefora visionquest.theneurologicalreasonissimple:the energythatgoesintothedigestiveprocessisnowusedatahigherlevelbytheoptic

118 thalamiforanextendedinnervisionprocess.normally,though,itiswiththe eyeballsthatweseetheworldandaredrawnintoit.thischakraisoursolarcenter anditiswiththelightofthesunthatoureyescanseewhatisoutthere.thereisan obviousconnectionherebetweenthesun(thethirdchakraofoursolarsystem)and oureyes.whenthesunlightsupourday,oureyesopenandweseetheworld aroundus;wecannotjustwalkaroundwithoureyesclosedduringtheday.our eyesareopenedbytheforceofthisenergyandwearedrawnoutintotheworld. Outtheretheeyeshelpustoorientourselvesandareresponsiblefordeveloping manyofoursurvivalskills. Onceoureyesareopenedhowever,wetendtoletthemwanderaroundintheworld insearchofwhateverismostalluring.becausethereisastrongconnectionbetween thewanderingofoureyesandthewanderingofourminds,yogaemphasizestaking controloftheoldsacredtextsofindia,itisrecommendedthattheyogifocushis eyesatthetipofthenoseforconcentration.inanotherpartofthesametext,gazing upattherootofthenoseissuggested.bothofthesetechniquesutilizecontrolofthe physicaleyeballsthemselvesinordertogaincontrolofanunrulymind.students shouldspendsometimepracticingthesemethodsandobservetheresults.practice onlyforshortperiodsatfirstsoasnottostraintheeyemuscles;thenlengthenthe timeasyoubecomecomfortablewithit. KARMENDRIYA, Theorganofactionrelatedtothisvortexistheanus.Notsomethingweconsider beingparticularlyactiveingeneral;however,wecansaythatthereisarelation betweeneatinganddefecating.thisistheendpointofthedigestivetract,andthe controlpointforlettinggo.inahealthystateweareusingthisactioneverydayfor bowelmovements.inyogapracticethereismoretobedonethanmeetstheeye thetechniqueknownasmula%bandha,forexample,canbeverytransformingandin factcanbeakeytobringingourenergyintoawhilenewdirection.throughthis technique,theforceofthefirstchakraisamplified. Aswediscussedinthefirstchapter,Muladharaenergydrawsintoitselfatthebase ofthespine.fromtherehowever,itfollowsnaturalpathwaysthattendtopullus outtothefourdirections,throughthesensesofeachchakraandtherelateddesires wehaveaccumulatedinourminds,outtothematerialworldtoexperienceit.inthe applicationofmulabandha,therootlock,theenergyispulledbackintothebase. Thisprocessisbegunwithasimplecontractionofthesphinctermuscle,tightening theanus,anactionappliedtocertainbreathingandmovementpractices.laterit progressesintomoreelaborateandadvancedpractices(level2).thistechnique canhaveanawakeningeffectondormantforceswithinthebody(kundalini), sometimesarousingtoomuchenergywithinthenervoussystem,soshouldbe practicedwithmoderationinthebeginning.itisaverycreativeenergyandcan

119 easilycreateamplifieddesireswhennotdirectedproperly.thisisparticularlytrue ofthesexualdesiresandforthatreasontheyamaandniyamaneedtobeappliedas guidelines. Forthepurposeofthiscourse,mulabandhaisgenerallyappliedontheexpirationof thebreathandsometimesonretentions.awarenessshouldbedirectedtofeeling thesphinctermuscleasitcontracts,andobservingthecontainmentofenergyatthe tailbone.visualizationofthefirstchakramandalacanbeaddedtothefeeling,so thattwosensesareinvolvedsimultaneously.thetechniqueisquitegroundingat thephysicallevel.oneofthemainbenefitsinthebeginning,isthatitstrengthens thefirstchakra,givingsolidity,enduranceandstaminatoallbodycells;theseeffects theninfluenceglands,organandourwholebody.asthisbecomesaphysicalreality, itinfluencesourcharacterandmentalstability(seethesectiononbandhaslaterin thischapter). CHARACTERISTICS Thethirdchakraisoursuncenter.Assuchitgivespowerandactionenergytoour physicalbody,andlightandinspirationtoourmind.withthisasadominantenergy, peopleareusuallyactivegoigettersinthematerialworld,oftentheinitiatorof plans,andmotivatorsforothers. Whentheenergyisstrongandbalanced: 1. Amicableleaderwithlotsofideasaboutwheretogonext. 2. Likestotakeactionandmakethingshappen. 3. Friendlydispositioninthesocialworld,lively,withagoodsenseofhumor. 4. Responsible,conscientiousandgenerousinmostsituations. 5. Hasagoodsenseofselfandisconfidentinhis/herabilities. 6. Individualwithgoodcreativeexpression. 7. StrongwillIpowerbutwithhealthymanners. 8. Successfulinplannedprojects. 9. Healthyandactivephysicallywithgoodzestandvitalityforlife. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. Canbecomeintolerant,argumentativeandcontrolling;inflatedego. 2. Mightbebossy,stubbornandtendencytowardsaggression;challenging authorities. 3. Lackofconsiderationforothers,especiallyiftheyareinthewayofthe individual splans. 4. Tendencytobecarelessandoverlydaring. 5. Singleminded,perhapstunnelvisionambitionsthatleadtoworkaholism. 6. Maybedeceitfulormanipulativetoattaingoals.

120 7. Highmetabolism,mayhavetoomuchenergyandhaveadifficulttime relaxingorslowingdown,aswellasdifficultyharnessingthemind. 8. Scatteredincreativeideas;pleasureseekingtothepointofindulgenceand addiction. Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: 1. LackofmotivationandwillIpower,nodesiretotakeaction;easilystuckin oldpatterns. 2. Physicallynotactive;mayfeelasenseoffatigueortiredness;digestive weaknessorproblems. 3. Notveryhighinselfconfidenceorone sabilities;doubtfulaboutskillsor talents. 4. Doesnothaveastrongsenseofselforindividuality,maybequiteindecisive. 5. Littlecreativity,andquiteshyofdoinganythingoutoftheordinary. MENTAL,DIRECTION, Eastisthementaldirectionofthischakra.Thisiswherethesuncomesup,and whenitdoes,weautomaticallymoveoutwardtoexperiencetheworld.thesun lightseverythingupforoureyestoseeintheobviousdaytime.fromoursolar plexuscomestheenergyofdaytimeactivity,vision,creativity,andproductivity a fieryactiveenergythatleadstofreeexpression,ifnottouninhibitedaction.asan expressionofoneselfittendstobedirectaswellascreative,andhasbeenknownto causeupheavalsinpolitesocialcircles.becauseofitsactivenatureittendstodrive onetoaction,fromthementalflashofwhattodo,totheactofdoingit.itisan energythatneedstobeletoutofthemindthroughartisticexpressionofanytype, oraction.ifitissuppressed,ontheotherhand,itwillcreateanegativeemotional statewithheadispinningfrustration.tryingtocontainitisliketryingtocontainfire inacardboardbox.

121 Thisdirectionoftherisingsunistheonefromwhichyourdayisbeginning;whatis theimageinyourmindforthecomingday?thispowerfulenergyneedstomove,to gosomewhere,todosomething,soifitisnotdirectedbythehighermind,itfalls intooldbehaviorpatternsfromthelowermindautomaticallyanddirectsyourday accordingtopreviousprogramming.thisiswhyitisconsideredimportantonthe spiritualpathtobeupbeforedawnsoastodirectthisforceinapositiveway.here isthewaytocreatewhatyouwantoutofyourselfandforyourself;anditbeginsby changingthoseaspectsofyourdailyactivitiesthatarenotinharmonywithyour presentbeliefsystemabouthowyoushouldbeliving.anyconflictbetweenwhat youaredoingandwhatyouthinkyoushouldbedoingwillinhibitempowermentof thischakra. Thejourneyofyourspiritualbeingneedssunshinetogrowintotherealityofthe presentday.imaginationisoneofthefacultiesempoweredbythisenergy;itisone ofthepotenttoolsourmindhastoworkwith.animageheldinthemindisan energypatternandthatbecomesthedirectingforceforourenergyflow.whennot usedasatoolthisimaginativefacultycantooeasilyworkagainstus,creating fantasiesandillusionsthathavelittletodowithanachievablereality.inyogathe forceofimagingisutilizedinvisualizingpositiveresultsinourpracticeof stretching,andhealing.justimaginethehealthyouarestrivingfor;ifyoucan teven imagine youhaveaproblem.thesamemethodsareusedtovisualizewhatwe wanttoachieveinthematerialworld,andtoimaginehowwecanattainit. Imagination%is%more%important%than%knowledge. % - ]Albert-Einstein- RAJO,GUNA, IntheSanskritdescriptionoftheforcesoftheuniverse,thatwhichempowersthis grunthiiscalledrajas.inthefirstchapterwediscussedtheforceoftamas,orwhat wecalledinertia.therajaweneedtodealwithinthischakracouldbecalled momentumbycomparison.itistheenergymovementoftheuniversalforcesthat simplywanttokeepmoving.inournervoussystem,wehavecreatedmany pathwaysfortheenergytoflowbyrepeatedlygoingoverthesamemovesand actions.thisbecomesthepathofleastresistanceforourenergyflows,andthat energywillcontinuetoflowalongthesamelinesuntilsomethingmakesachange.

122 Oneofthemethodsusedtoovercometheforcesofresistancethatholdusbackfrom evolvingisatechniquecalleduddhyana%bandha.itisoneoftheclassic locks of yogaandassuchtendstolockourenergyinwardandpreventitfromflowingout intothesehabitualpatterns.asmentionedearlier,thegrunthisarelikeknotsin whichourenergypatternshavebeentiedup.thebandhasarethemethodsof lockingourenergyintodifferentinternalpatternsthatreknowntoenhanceour evolutionanddevelopment.oncethatenergyisreidirectedtotheinside,itno longergetstanglesupintheknotsftheouterworld.thebenefitsofthelocksliein freeingupourpreviouslytiediupenergysothatwemayuseitmorewiselyonour spiritualpath. Thistechniqueisappliedbydoingacompleteexhalation,thensuckinginthe abdomeninacoupleofways:firsttheabdominalmusclesaretightenedandpulled intohelpsqueezetheairoutofthelowerlobesofthelungs;second,thediaphragm muscleissuckedupbyexpandingtheribcageoutwardandupwardwhilethe breathisheldout.insodoing,avacuumiscreatedinternally.oneshouldfocuson feelingthatvacuum,andtheemptinessthatisassociatedwithit.weoftenassociate hungerwiththatemptyfeeling,andbyproducingitinthiswaywecanlearnto changeourreactionstothefeelinginsuchawaythatwebecomemoredirectedand lessreactionarybeings.ofcoursethistakesplaceatthepsychologicallevel; physiologicallytheactionofuddhyanabandhacreatesapullingeffectonanareaof ourtorsothatisalltoooftenfullandtryingtopushthingsout.theresultisachange inpressure,whichcanbeverybeneficialforthewholeabdominalareasinceithelps breakupblockagesanddenseareaswithintheintestinaltract.meanwhilewecan harnessthiswiththepsychologicalaspectsanddecidetomakedietarychangesthat maybeappropriate. VISHNU,GRUNTHI, Oneofthebiggeststumblingblockstoourevolutionsitsfirmlyatthetopofthis chakra.itiscalledvishnugrunthi,andhasmuchtodowithhabitualbehavior.most ofwhatwelearninalifetime fromwalkingtoeatingtosocialbehavior becomes relegatedtoanareaofthebraincalledthecerebellum.thissmallmassofgray matterpicksupontheactionsweperformandmakesanautoipilotfunctionoutof them.forinstance,whenwefirstlearntowalkitisatedioustasktokeepour balanceandcarefullyplaceonefootinfrontoftheother.butwithpractice (repetition),itstartstocomeeasy,andthenitbecomesautomatic.wenolonger needtoconcentrateonplacingonefootinfrontoftheother;weonlyneedtothink aboutgoingsomewhereandtheresttakecareofitself. Thisautomaticfunctionworksoutwelltoouradvantageinmanyways;however, oncewestepontoaspiritualpathandneedtochangeourhabits,itworksagainst us.forinstance,whenwewanttostopeatingfrenchfriesandeatsaladinstead,our

123 stomachswillgrowlatusinprotest;desirewilltryandoverruleourdecision.look atthecigaretteismokinghabitandhowdifficultitistochangeintoadeepbreathing habit.muchwillipowerandeffortarerequired.addictionsareallbasedonthis habitualnature. YAMA/NIYAMA, YAMA:,Ahimsa(nonIviolence) Oneshouldnotbeviolentinthought,word,ordeed.Thismeansnotdirecting aggressiontowardsanyotherbeingortowardoneself.thefirststepistoeliminate violencefromyouractions,sincetheseactsaretheeasiesttobecomeawareof,and theseactsarewhatcausetheviolencethateventuallycomesbacktoyou.butwhile doingthis,youmayfindyourwordsandtoneofvoicebecomesarcastic,cuttingand violentinexpression.thiswillindicatethattheaggressionactuallygoesdeepinto yourthoughtandconsequentlymustbeexploredwithinyourmind.violence generallybeginsinthoughtandterminatesinaction.throughsuppressionthe actionisinhibitedandtheaggressionmightonlycomeoutatthevocallevel.ifvocal expressionissuppressed,theaggressivetendenciesarekeptwithinyourmind,and if,further,youevencensoryourthoughts,youwillendupwithalltheseviolent urgesaccumulatinginyoursubconsciousreservoir.considerthenthatonemust findtherootsoftheaggressionwithinone sownmind,findthecauseofitbeing there,eliminatethecause,andthenproceedtoamorepeacefulstateofmind, speechandaction.therefore,ifyouhaveviolenceinyourthoughts,studyit don t suppressit.youmayhavebeenexposedtoviolenceintheinnocenceofyour childhood,whenceyourmindabsorbedit,orperhapsitjustcamefromtv,ineither caseyouarenotresponsibleforit.understandhowitenteredyourbeingandyou willallowittoleave;itwassomeoneelse saggression,soletitgo.itmaybethatyou harboralotoffrustration;ifthisisthecaseusetheanalysisofswadhiyayatosee whatitisallabout.taketheappropriatemethodstoreleaseit,likesomekindof aggressiveactionsaimedatapunchingbag. Youdonothavetoimitatethebehavioryouwitnessedasachild,soinyourpresent behavior,andwithoutsuppression,donotactaggressively,speakaggressively,or thinkinanaggressivemanner.whatwordsmuchbetterthantryingtostoptheold thoughtpatternsischangingthemintonewones:sendoutpeacefulloving vibrationstoeveryoneinsteadofaggressivethoughts.imaginebecomingfiends withsomeonetowardswhomyouhavehostilethoughts. NIYAMA:Tapas(selfIdiscipline)

124 SelfIdisciplineneedstobeappliedtothepracticesofyoga.Thetechniqueslearned needtobeputintoactionnotjustthoughtabout.oneshouldapplydisciplinetothe practicesthatleadtomentaldevelopment,anddothemwithzeal.selfidisciplineis theonlypowerbywhichonecangaincontrolofthementalfaculties.thisdiscipline isachievedsimplybytheapplicationofwillpowertoovercomelazytendencies,and totransformnegativedesiresintopositiveaction.theegowillcomeupwitha thousandreasonstoprocrastinateandnotdothepractices(becausethosepractices willdissolvethissameego).effortisthekey. Onceaseedisplanted,itwillgrowonitsownwithjustalittledailyreinforcement. Youneedonlygetyourselfoffthegroundandtherestiseasyflying.Therefore,one shouldberegularandpunctualinpractices,andeachtimeyougetsomeinsightinto abetterwayofpractice,itshouldbeappliedimmediately,inthiswaywefeelgood aboutwhatwehavedone.youmayquicklynoticethatthefeelingsyougainfrom thepracticearerewardingandevenblissful asaresult,motivationtodoitis increased.rememberthathereandnowistheonlyplacetolive.bewisetotheego s thinking doittomorrow.disciplineisalsorequiredwhenfacedwithtemptation somethingyouknowisunhealthyorharmful,yetitgivesyousensualpleasure. Eachtimeyousayno,youmakeiteasiertosaynothenexttime;eachti9meyousay yes,youmakeiteasiertosayyesnexttime.eachtimeyouusewillpower,youopen thegatetoletmorein.yournervoussystemlearnswellwithrepetition,bothforthe eliminationofthenegativeandforthedevelopmentofnewhabits.thedevelopment ofwillissoeasyifdonegraduallyandconsistently.applyitonlyinsmallquantities atfirst,toallthelittlethingsthatrequirechange.itbeginsearlyinthemorning,as soonasyouwakeup.partofyouwantstobelazyandanotherpartknowsyou shouldgetupimmediately;decideatthatverymomentwhichpartofyouisgoingto ruletheday.theearlybirdgetstheworm,butifyouareahawk,youmaygetthe cobra(kundalini). PRANAYAMA,YOGA, Pranayamayogadealswithenergycontrol,andisthusintrinsicallyrelatedto Manipurachakrawhichisallaboutenergy.Thesolarplexusisourfirecenter,the areainwhichwechangefoodintoenergy.havingsomecontroloverthedirection intowhichthisenergymovesisrequiredfortheyogicspiritualpath.otherwise, everytimeenergymovesthroughthedigestivesystem,wesimplyreactbyeating. AswehaveseenwithVishnugrunthi,habitualpatternsofallsortsaretiedinwith thisenergy,andchanginghabitsrequiredconsciouseffort. Consciouscontroloverthebreathingfunctionisusedinpranayamayogaasa methodofgaininginfluenceoverthewayourenergymoves.breathingisavery strongreflexpatternthatisconsideredimpossibletostop.beingadeep

125 subconsciouspatternthatiscrucialtolife,itiswellprotected.however,wecan havesignificantinfluenceonthewaywebreathe,thatis,howdeep,howfastetc.in ournormallifestylealltheseaspectsaregovernedautomaticallythroughavariety ofsubconsciousreflexes.itisallcontainedwithintheselfiregulatingfunctionsofthe autonomicnervoussystem. Oneimportantconsiderationofthebreathisaboutthe prana aspect,mostof whichisabsorbedthroughthenose,(chapter1).whenwedobegintochangethe waywebreathe,weareinfactsteppingintotherealmofthesubconscious,intoa realmthatcontaineverythingaboutourselves.ifwereidirecttheenergycircuitsat thislevel,therearereactionsinthephysical,emotional,mentalandspiritualaspects ofourbeing.anyonewhohasbegunaseriouspracticeofpranayamayogawillattest tothis.itisapowerfultransformingtool,whichtakesusmuchfurtherthanthe simpleactofexpandingourlungsandincreasingouroxygenlevels.theseeffects arethereaswell,andhavepositiveconsequencesonourphysiology,butthedeeper resultswegainfromregulateddeepbreathinghavetodowithregulatingand transformingenergypatterns,andtransformingourselves. Theimpactofcontrollingthebreathingimpulsehasbeenunderstoodforcenturies, millenniainfact,andduringthecourseofthattimeobservationshavebeenmade andnoted.asaresultofthoseobservations,yogishaveinnovatedawidevarietyof techniquesforbreathing,usingdifferenttimesforinhalation,exhalation,andadded breathretentionsinandout.theinternaleffectoftheseonournervoussystemand energyflowhavebeencarefullymappedoutsothattheycouldachievespecific results. InChakraYoga,dozensofspecificpranayamatechniquesareusedfordetoxification, purification,balancing,chargingandcalming.someofthesewillbeusedthroughout thelevel1teacher strainingcourseandwillbedescribed,explained,anddiscussed atthetimesofpractice.infactsometechniquesmayhavedisturbingeffectsonour emotionalandmentalstates,andshouldbedonewithsupervisionandcounseling. Generally,slowdeepbreathingisrecommendedasasafepracticeanyonecanapply withoutadverseeffects.level2willgofurtherintopranayamayoga. BANDHAS, TheSanskritword bandha translatesaslockorhold.inthepracticeofyogaasanas aswellaspranayamabreathingtechniques,certainpartsofthephysicalbodyare heldandcontractedintopositionforaperiodoftimetohelpcreateordirectspecific energycurrents;theselocksarecalledbandhas.thethreeprimarybandhaswewill talkaboutatthistimearemula-bandha,-uddiyana-bandhaandjalandhara-bandha. Wewilldefineeachbandhaaswellastalkaboutthepurposeandbenefitsofeachin

126 thechakrayogasystem.youwillalsocomeacrossareviewofeachofthesebandhas inthespecificchaptersontherelatedchakras. Mula,Bandha, IntheSanskritlanguagemulabandhatranslatesasrootlock.(Mulameansrootin Sanskritandbandhameanslock).Thisisacontractionandapullingupwardofthe musclesaroundtheperineum.theperineumistheareabetweentheanusandthe externalgenitalia. Action:whilesittinginvajrasana,-padmasanaorardha-padmasanaonepullsupward andcontractsthesphinctermuscle,aroundtheperineum.anotherclassicalposture toperformthemulabandhatechniqueisprasad-siddhasana.thisisdoneby pressingtheperineum(yoni-nadi)withtheleftheelandplacingtherightlittletoeon theinsideoftheleftthigh.mulabandhakriyamaybeperformedinkumbhaka(heldi inbreathretention)orshunyaka(heldioutbreathretention). Intheactionofmulabandhakriya,apana-vau,thevitalenergyinthebodybelowthe navelbeginstoascendandcomeintounionwiththeprana-vayu,thevitallifeforce uptowardsthefourthchakra.apanavayu,whoseflowisusuallyinadescending motion,isdirectedupwardsbytheactionofmulabandha.asapanavayurises upwarditsenergyincreasesthegastricfireandwhenitfuseswiththefireenergyof Manipurachakraituniteswiththepranavayuattheregionoftheheartandlungs (Anahatachakra).TheauthorHarishJohari,saysthatthemixingofthepositiveions ofpranavayuandthenegativeionsofapanavayucreatesanextremeheatandis acutelyawakeningforthekundalinienergyastheunionmovesthroughthemain spinalnadichannelofsushumna. Benefits,of,Mula,Bandha,Kriya:, Thisbandhahelpstoactivateandawakenthepowerful,praniclifeforce locatedatthebaseofthespineknownaskundaliniishakti Helpsonetomaintainthevowofcelibacy(brahma-charya)byraisingthe sexualenergyupthespinetobeutilizedbythehigherchakras Stimulatesthenervegroupsalongthebaseofthespinalcolumn EnergizesMuladharachakra Tonesthemusclesandorgansofthegenitalareaandreproductivesystem; tonespelvicwall Stimulatingfortheactionofthesmallandlargeintestine EnergizesMuladharachakra Tonesthemusclesandorgansofthegenitalareaandreproductivesystem; tonespelvicwall Stimulatingfortheactionofthesmallandlargeintestine Cautions:

127 Forthebeginnerstudentofyogainthepracticesofmudras,mantras,asanasand pranayamabreathingtechniquesitisimportanttobemoderateinapplyingthe mulabandhatechniqueforonedoesnotwanttopushtheawakeningofkundalini energyuntilonehastakenthetimetopurifythemindandbodyoftoxicityand negativethoughtpatterns.ifkundaliniisawakenedpreimaturelytheremaybe dangeroussideeffectsforthesadhaka(practitioner).oneisadvisednottobeina hurrybuttoawakenthekundalinienergygentlyalongtheirspiritualpath.this adviceappliestotheotherbandhakriyasaswell. Jalandhara,Bandha, IntheSanskritjalandhara-bandhatranslatesas chinlock.bysittinginvajrasana, padmasanaoranyoftheclassicalseatedpostureswiththehandsontheknees,this bandhaisperformedbyjuttingtheneckforward,bowingtheheaddownwardand restingthechinatthetopofthechest.theshouldersmayberolledforwardthereby concavingtheupperchestcavity.thisbandhacontractsthethroatandclosesofthe tracheaandmaybedoneontheheldiinorheldioutbreathretentions. Accordingtoyogi,HarishJohari,thisparticularbandhacutsofthecirculationof fluidstothehead.thisimpedimentoffluidcirculationcreatesanindependent circuitofenergychannelswherebythedownwardflowoffluidsfromthepalateis creased.inthetraditionalyogictextsthisfluidthatflowfromthecavityofthepalate iscalledsoma,thenectarorelixirofthedivinebeing.itiswrittenthatthisfluidis composedofvariouschemicalsandhormonesthatenhanceamajorityofbodily functions.itisknowntoimprovegrowthanddevelopment,rejuvenatethecells, glandsandorgansaswellasslowdownthedeteriorationoftheentirephysical being.normallythesefluidsflowdownwardintothebodyandareunfortunately burnedupinthegastricfire.also,harishpointsoutthatifthesomanectaris preventedfromflowingdownwardbythetechniqueofjalandharakriya,thenthe flowofenergythroughtheidaandpingalanadichannelswhichflowalongtheside ofthespinalcolumnisconstrictedtherebycausingthepranatoflowthroughthe primarynadichannelofsushumna.praniclifeforcemovingthroughthesushumna isveryawakeningfortheconsciousnessoftheyogastudent.(seechapter6 ida, pingala&sushumna) BenefitsofJalandharaKryia: Rejuvenatingforalbodilyfunctions;preventsdisIeaseinthephysicalbody Createslongevityinthephysicalbody;antiagingtechnique

128 SlowstheheartIrate;relaxingforthemindandbody;relivesfeelingsof stressandanxiety EnhancesthefunctionsofthethyroidandparaIthyroidglands Preparesoneformeditation Cautions: Itisimportantnottoinhaleorexhaleuntiltheheadisraisedupstraightandthe chinlockisreleased.aswell,peoplewithhighbloodpressureorheartproblems shouldrefrainfromdoingthiskryiaunlessoneisgentlyguidedbyanexperienced yogateacher. BenefitsofthePrimaryDandhas Thethreeprimarybandhasnamelymula-bandha,uddiyanabandhaandjalandharabandha-helptoimprovetheoverallfunctioningofthephysicalbodythroughthe innermassageoftheinternalmuscles,glandsandorgans,activatingthecirculation ofallbodilyfluidsaswellasstimulatingandregulatingthenervegroupsalongthe spinalcolumn. Thebandhasalsohaveaninfluenceandeffectupontheactionofthechakraenergy centerswhilethebreathretentionscausespranatoaccumulateinspecificareasof concentration. Theexecutionofthebandhasbegintoreleasethegrunthis(knotsofspiritual energy,barriers)alongthespinalcolumn.theseparticulargrunthisactuallyimpede theflowofpranathroughthesushumanadichannelthuskeepingonestuckinold habitualpatternsandpreventingtheascensionofkundalinienergy.intherelease anddissipationoftheseknots,praniclifeforcemaymovethroughthesushumna morefreelythusraisingtheconsciousnessoftheyogapractitioner.thebandhas helpreidirecttheflowofenergyinthebody. (seechapter1 grunthis) Whenthesethreeprimarybandhasarepracticedtogetherwithmudras,chakra mantras,asnasandpranayamabreathingtechniquesthehigherpsychicsenseofthe yogiiselevatedandonemaymoveintoameditative,blissfulstateofconsciousness. Caution:

129 Forthebeginnerstudentofyogaitisimportanttopracticeeachofthebandhasin isolationofeachother.laterasonebeginstoadvanceintheirpracticeonemay moderatelycombinethethreebandhaswithmudrasandpranayamatechniques.it isadvisedtostayattunedtoheguidanceofyourinnerteacherandtakethetimeto purifythemindandbodythroughthepracticeofthevariousformsofyogaaswell aseatingahealthydietwiththeadditionofperiodiccleansingfasts. HANGVSAH,KRIYA, The HangISahKriya isaconcentrationtechniquethatusesacombinationof breath,soundandvisualizationtoclearthemindformeditation.thisancientyoga practicegivesyoutheabilitytodeiprogramthebraincells,therebylettinggoofold negativeenergypatternsandmakingwayformorepositiveinspirations. Tobegin,chanttheOmmantrainternallyasyoubreatheinandoutacoupleof times,toattuneyourselfwiththesoundofthevibratinguniverse.thenvisualize yourheadbeinginsideapyramid,withthebaseofthepyramidbeingatthebottom

130 ofthebrainandthesidecomingformafewinchesoutsideofeachearandgoingup toapointaboutsixinchesabovethehead. Next,asyoutakeafullbreathtoan8count,internallychantingSab,visualizea waveofenergymovingacrossthefloorofthebrainfromthebaseofthepyramid outsidetheleftearacrosstothebaseoutsidetherightear.pause,andthenexhale forasimilar8count,butthistimeinternallychantingthesoundhang,movinga waveofenergyacrossthefloorofthebrainfromoutsidetherighteartooutsidethe leftear.pause,thenrepeattheprocess:theinibreathwiththesoundsahandthe outibreathwithhang continuallymovingbackandforthacrossthefloorofthe brain.asyoudothisyouslowlymoveupwardsfollowingtheshapeofthepyramid. Verygradually,overa20Iminuteperiod,youdirectyourwayupthepyramid droppingthe8countasthebreathgetsshorterandshorter(butkeepingaslow, steady,pace),untilyoureachthepointatthetopwithnobreathandanemptymind. YoucanalsousethisPyuramidKriyaTechniquetoenvelopthewholebody best donesittingcrossilegged(orinthefulllotus,sincethisgivesyouapyramidalbase). Regularpracticewiththistechniquewillclearthemind.TheSanskritsoundsHang andsahareusedbecausehangisavibrationassociatedwithindividualego which weletgowiththeoutibreath.sahisthesoundofincomingenergyfromthe universe,sowetakethisinwiththebreath.whatwearedoingislettingouttheold andtaking inspiration. Thispyramid,withthebreathandsounds,beginstodisempowernegativeenergies andwhendonewithafocusedmindhangisahkriyahastheabilitytodetachyou frompastkarmaandallowyoutomoveforwardonyourspiritualpath. PRANAYAMA,TECHNIQUES, NASARGA%BHASTRIKA,thebellowsbreath,donethroughthenose.ThisbreathasI wastaughtitin1971wasdonewiththemidichestbreathingfor108rounds.sitting invajrasana,inhaleatagoodspeedinthemidichestareaandthenexhalemore vigorouslythroughthenose;repeatthisasmanytimesasyoucanhandle.overa periodofafewweeksyoucanaddacoupleorroundsperdayuntilyougetto108. Startattaspeedofaboutonepersecond;onceyouhavereachedatleast30,tryto doublethespeed.when(if)youstarttofeelstrainormusculardiscomfort,oryou gettoodizzy,stop,takeaslowdeepbreathandletitoutslowly.eventually,when youreachtheoptimumnumberofrounds,exhalecompletelyandtakethelast inhalationasaslowanddeepcompleteyogabreath,thenfollowitwithalengthy kumbhaka,retention.thelocks,bandhatrayam,areheldinplace(thisisthe applicationofmulabandha,uddiyanabandhaandjanadharabandhaallatthesame time),andyouvisualizeaballofgoldenenergyinthesolarplexus(kushala-kriya), likeasunshining,asbigasyoulike.youmayalsomovethisballtoanyareaofyour bodywherehealingmaybeneeded.trytofeeltheenergyaswellasseeit.another

131 additiontothisistotakethatenergyoutfromthearmsandhandsthroughthe fingertips,asyoutapallaroundyourface,forexample,movingpranaintothatarea. Youcandothiswithanyareaofyourbody. Onceyouhavemasteredthispartofthetechnique,youcantrythesecondvariation taughtinlateryearsatanandaashram,byusingboththemidichestandupper breathingandgoingrapidlyupto120roundsofbreath.whenfinishedyoucollapse intonishpanda-asana,thetensionlessposeonthegroundbysimplyfallingforward outofthesittingpose. BENEFITS:, *Thisisaverychargingandempoweringtechnique *Stimulatesandchargesthe3 rd chakra. *Clearsthelungsandstrengthensthepowerofbreath. *Clearsnasalpassages,eliminatedcongestion. *Canbeagoodhealingtechniquewhenthepranaisdirectedtoaffectedareas. KAPALABHATI,theskullcleanser.Sittinginvajrasana,thebreathisrapidly pulledinandout,deeply,butattwocyclespersecond,throughbothnostrils.the firstbreathisverydeep,fillingthelungs,thenontheoutibreath,thediaphragmis pushedupwardandtheabdomenpulledinasinuddiyana-bhanda(#153).ontheini breaththeabdomenisrelaxedandfallsoutward.concentrationshouldbeheldon feelingaflowofenergyisthroughtheforehead,alongthebaseofthebraintothe backofthehead,witheachinhalation.thenwiththeexhalation,feeltheenergygo upthebackofyourhead,overtopandoutintospacethroughthetopofyourskull. Firstyoumustmasterthebreathingwiththediaphragmandtheabdominal muscles;whenthisisdoneeasily,addtheconcentrationinthebrainarea.gradually, buildupthenumberofbreathsdailyuntilyoureach120rounds,withinaone minutetimeframe.afterwardsdoacleansingbreath,mukha-bhastrika,ifyourhead hasn tspunoffintosomestrangeorbit(orbitscanbefuntoo).thiskriyaisto controlandcleansethepancha-bhutas,thefiveelementsofearth,water,fire,airand ether,attheirmentallevelaswellastheirphysicalcounterpartsintheheadarea. Earthherestandsforthephysicalmatterofthebrainandconsequentmaterialistic thoughtsandideas.waterstandsforthecerebrospinalfluidandallthoughtsabout flowingtogetherwithotherpeopleintheseaofemotionalinvolvements.firestands forthenerveenergypassingthroughtheassociationfibersandconnectednerve tissueandcells,andsubsequentideasofdoing,acting,changing,andindulgingfor pleasure.airsymbolizestheactualaircavitiesintheskullcapandvariousareasof yourhead,whichmentallyexistasfeelingsofbothpleasureandpain.etherstands fortheelectromagneticenergiesthatyourbrainistunedintoandinparticularthese subtleenergiesastheypassthroughthearachnidandsubiarachnidcavitiesofthe brain,mentallyperceivedastruths,theoriesanduntruthsaboutlifeandthe universe.

132 BENEFITS: *Chargesallthechakrasandmovesenergyupthroughthem. *Clearingtechniqueforthebrainandmind,movespranathroughthecerebral cortex. *Stimulatesdigestionandelimination. *Strengtheningthediaphragm. *Helpsawakendormantforces. EYE,DRILLS, Theeyelensiscontrolledbyfouractiveandtwopassivemuscles,whichdetermine theshapeofthelens,dependingonthedistanceoftheobjectseen.tensionthatis heldinthesemusclesforextendedperiodsoftimecausesacertaintypeofeyestrain. Constanttensioninthemusclesthatcontroleyemovementcreatesstrainthatcan actuallydistorttheshapeoftheeyeball.bothoftheseconditionsleadtopoorfocus andthenecessityofusingglasses,likecrutches,tobeabletofocusaccuratelyagain. Whentheshapeoftheeyeballisdistortedoveraperiodoftimeitismade permanentbythehardeningofmucousintheeyeballsocket.therearealsomany psychologicalfactorsthatinfluencevision(notwantingtoseecertainaspectsoflife etc.),andthesemustbedealtwithbeforephysicalvisioncanberestored. Whendoingthefollowingtechniquesitisimportantnottodothemwhilethinking aboutsomethingelse,butratherfeeltheprocess,focusallyourattentiononthat area.noticehowyoulookatobjects.isitwithsharpnessandfocusondetail.orisit justlookingwhilethemindisdriftingthroughscenesinthememory?areyou seeingthebeautyinthings,andappreciatingit,orjustlookingforsomethingelse? Trylookingfordetailandbeautyasafocus. Some,good,restoration,techniques,are,as,follows:, 1. Sungazing:InacomfortablestraightIbacksittingposition,facingthesunrise, beginrollingtheheadfromsidetoside,asfarasitwillgoeachway.keepthe headtiltedslightlybackandtheeyesonthehorizon,blinkingallthetime.if thesunisover15degreesfromthehorizontheeyesshouldbeclosed.deep breathingshouldbedonewiththerolling.theturningoftheheadstimulates thearteriesleadingtotheeyes,allowingforafleshflowofblood.breathing alsoprovidesarichoxygensupply,andthesun sraysstimulatetheretina.

133 Thistechniquecanalsobedonestanding,withthewholebodyrotatingfrom sidetoside. 2. Palming:Followingtheabove,orothereyeexercises,rapidlyrubthehands togethertostimulatethenerveendings(youcanfeeltheheat)andthencup thehandsasiftoholdwater.thenplacethehandsovertheeyestocreatea lightproofcup.leanforwarduntiltheelbowsrestontheknees,orthe ground,andletyourheadrestinyourhands.inthispositionthepranicflows maybefeltfromthesolarplexusthroughthenervesofthearmstothepalms andthroughtotheeyes actingthereasatremendoushealingforce.thebija eeeeem ischantedinahighpitchsothevibrationcanbefeltintheeyesas thepranaflowsthrough.thiscanbedoneforanylengthoftime,andcanalso bedoneatanyperiodofthedaytorelaxtheeyes.theweakesteyeshould alwaysbecoveredfirst. 3. Whencomingupfromthepalmingpositiontheeyesshouldbeopenedby fastblinkingtoaccustomthemtothebrightlight.this,infact,prevents photophobia,aversiontolight,andshouldbedonewhenevercomingfrom darktolight. 4. Holdingthehandsoutfront,betweenthesunandtheeyes,theleftpalmfaces theeyeswiththefingersinterlaced,therightpalmfacesthesun,absorbing itsrays.directsunlightisallowedtocomethroughatinyholebetweenthe secondfinger,andtheresultinglightbeamentersoneeyeatatime.suryanamahaischanted12timesoneachside,andyoufinishwithpalming. 5. Whenthesunisverylowandred,orifhigherandbrighterbutpeeking throughtheclouds,botheyescanlookdirectlyatit,widelyopenedand blinkingfrequently.thenoneeyeatatimecanbecovered.thentheeyes canbecrossed,lookingatthenose,sothattwosoundsareseen.finishwith palming. 6. Gazingatobjectsthatareatdifferentdistancesfromyou:Beginbystaringat thetipofthenose,thenblinkandlookatanobject5feetawayfor10 seconds,then,blinking,adjustyourfocusontoanobject20feetaway,then 50,100andtothehorizon.Thencomebackin,onestepatatime,untilyou areascloseasyoucanfocus.repeatthisprocedurehalfadozentimes,then

134 oneeyeatatime.finishbydoingtheeyestogetheragain,andthenpalming.i havefounditveryhelpfulwhendoingthistochoosesomethinglikea detailedmandalatogazeatinthecloseiup,somethingthatisbeautifuland attractive. 7. Controloftheeyesandtheirmovementsisimportant.Theymustbemadeto followwheretheyaredirected.tolearnhowtodirectthem,various geometricsymbolscanbeused,drawnexternallyatfirst,andthenmentally. Botheyesmaybeused,thenoneatatime,thenboth.Thegeometricforms shouldincludeverticallines,horizontallines,crosses,squares,rectangles, triangles,crescentmoons,circles,infinitysigns,andwavylines.eachofthese shouldbewelldone,notjustlooseandsloppy.breathedeeplywhiledoing theseandfinishwithpalming. 8. Kushala-pranayama,fingertapping,canbedonewiththefocusonthe occipitalareaatthebaseoftheskulloneithersideofaprakasha-binduinthe brainstem.thebodyareasaroundtheeyesmaybetappedalsoandtheeyes themselvesverylightly. 9. Eyewashingcanbedonewithtiredeyes,usingcoldand/orsalinewater.The useofurine(murine)canbequitehelpfulifthereisahintofinfection. 10. Fineprintreadingatadistancewhereitisseenbestishelpfulinimproving thevision.blinkfrequently. Active,Practice,,, Manipura,Chakra,Routine, Power,strengthandactionarecharacteristicsoftheenergyfromthefirecenter. Willpoweristhemajorforceandthehighermindhadbestbegoverningwhatyou useyourpowerfor.

135 1.CleansingbreathfollowedbytheAIUIM. 2.%%%Surya%Namaskar:thesunsalutation,doneatareasonablespeedwithvigorous breathingsoastostimulatemetabolism.#134 Standwithhandsinnamaskarfacingtherisingsun. Inhalewhileraisingthehandsandbackbending. Exhalewhilebendingforwardanddowntillthehandsareflattotheground besidethefeet,andtheforeheadtouchestheknees. Exhale,throwingtheleftfootbackandholdingthebodyupinaninvertedV. Retainthebreathandlowerhead,chest,andkneestotheground. Inhale,andlifeintobhunjangasana,thecobra Exhalewhileraisingthebuttockshighofftheground. Inhalebringingtherightfootbetweenthehands,headup. Exhale,bringupleftfootandstraightenlegs. Inhale,lifting,raisinghandsandbackbending. Cometotheoriginalposition. 3.Eyeexercises:rotatingtheminbigcircles,makingsquares,crosses,andinfinity signs.dosomepalmingafterwards,andaddtheeeeemmantra.whenyouopen youreyesagainaddthenearanddistantfocus. 4.%%%Vira%badra:thewarriorpositions.#138 Withlegswideapart,feetat90degreeanglestoeachother,thehandsbegin innamascaraminfrontofthechest,bendthekneeofthefootwhichis pointingawaywhilecomingdownoverthatfoot,keepingthebackstraight andbringingthehandshighoverhead.inhaleasyoucomedownandthe handsgoup. Thethirdpositionbeginsfromthesameplace,takingadeepbreathwhile bendingbackandstretchingthearmsoverheadthengoingforwardtillthe chesttouchesthekneeandthearmsparalleltotheground.exhaleasyoudo so. Thefourthoneissimilar,takinginadeepbreathasyoustretchupandback, thengodownandforwardwiththehandspointingtothehorizon.nowthe handsareplacedonthegroundbesidesthefootandtheheadplacedonthe hands,fullyexhaledatthispoint. Thefifthpostureisdoneformastandingpositionbalancedononefootlifting theoppositelegbehind,leaningforwardpointingthenamascaramisthe oppositedirectiontotheliftedleg.breathingcanbevigorouswhileholding thepose.returntostanding.allposturesdoneonbothsides.

136 Standingwithfeettwofeetapart,kneesbent,handsformedintofists,and broughtupbesidethechest,elbowspointingback,andfingersontheupside, inhale,thenexhaleturningtherightfistoveranddownwardwhilepushing/ punchingitforwarddirectlyinfrontofsolarplexuswithhandopeningout, palmsdown.thisisdonewithafastoutibreath.thenreturntotheinibreath. Followwiththeotherside. Nextyouturntoeachside,bendthelegonthatsideasyougodownoverit, thepunchisthrownouttoeachside,crossingthebodysotherightarmgoes outtotheleftside.gofromonesidetotheother,alwaysexhalingvigorously tothepunch. Standingwithlegsapart&turnedtooneside,leanbackshiftingyourweight ontothebackleg.armscomeupasifblockingsomeone sfist,thenkick forwardwhilethebodyandarmsswingbackaroundinacounteribalancing movement.fastexhalationtothekick.severaltimesononeside,thenonthe other.breathingismaintaineddeepandfast. SuryaNamasteWarriorPose:Standingpositionwithfeetwideapart(45 degreeangle),inhalewhilebringingthehandstogetherinnamastegreeting andstretchingthehandsupwardtowardthesun,thenexhalewiththehands openingoutwardanddownwhilethebodymovesintothewarriorpose (bentknees)towardstheearth,torsoremainsverticallyupright.fromhere inhale/handsinnamasteandrepeatposturefrombeginning. Allposturesaredoneonbothsides. 5.SittingforNasarga%bhastrika,therapidbreathingtechnique.Tryworkingyour wayuptothe108rounds.whenyouhavegoneaslongasyoucan,exhale completely,takeaslowdeepbreathandholditaslongaspossible.makesureyou arenotholdingyourchestandshouldersup,butthattheyarerelaxedoverthe lockediinbreath.whileyouareholding,focusyourmindonvisualizingawarmball ofenergycenteredinyoursolarplexus.twolocks,mulabandhaandjalandhara bandha,areheldatthistime.attheendofityoucancollapseovertoonesideand justliethereforawhile. 6.Shirshjanuasana,headtothekneepose.Beginwithhandsinnamaskarand inhale;stretchthearmsupashighastheywillgointheinbreath,thengoforward asyouexhaleandtakeholdofyourfoot.useyourarmstopullyourheaddownto yourknees;workyourwaydownintothepositionwithsidemovements,thenhold downandrelaxintoitfurtherwiththeexhalations.#74

137 7.Ardha%matsyendrasana,thespinaltwist,isdonewithonelegcrossedoverthe otherknee.thentheoppositearmiscrossedoverthatkneeandthehandreaches forthefootinawaythatusesthearmasalevertoprytheshoulderforward.other armgoesaroundbehindthebackandthebreathisletout.#85 8.Dhanurasana,thebow,isdonelyingdownonyourabdomenandbringingthe feetup.handsreachbacktograbtheanklesandthefeetarepushedback.thislifts thechestandshouldersoffthefloorandbringsthebodyintotheshapeofabow wherethehandsarelikethestring.gentleabdominalbreathinginthispositionwill createarockingmotion.#88 9.Nava%kriya,therowboatisdonebytakinganimaginarypairofoarsintheboat poseandrowingwithvigorousbreathing.youarebalancedonthetailbone,legsand backarestraight.#63 10.Simhasana,thelionpose,isdonewithlegscrossed,comingupontotheknees andhands,mouthisopenwide,tonguehangsout,eyesopen.roaroutthebreath likealion.#69 11.Cleansingbreath,thenalternatenostrilbreath,bringinginthebreaththrough therightnostrilandlettingitoutthroughtheleft.rightnostrilisthesolar,leftis lunar. 12.RelaxationIthewayofYoga-Nidra:Afterlyingdownandhavingdoneseveral minutesofsavitri,feelwarmenergycomingdownthroughyourheadandintothe solarplexus;thenfeelcoolenergycomingupthroughyourfeetandsettlinginthe samearea.nowfromtherebeginacircularmotionwiththeenergycounteri clockwise,startingwithaverysmallspiralandexpandingitslowlyoutwarduntil yourwhilebodyisenvelopedinit.thenwinditbackin,clockwise,untilyouare backinthecenter. SYNOPSISofMANIPURACHAKRA NAME:Manipura YOGA:PranayamaYoga GENDER:Masculine ELEMENT:Fire FORCE:Combustion MEDITATIVEDIRECTION:East

138 YANTRASYMBOL:Redtriangle,yellowtenIsidedmandala ENERGYCOLOR:Yellow SOUND:Rung SENSEPERCEPTION:Seeing ACTION:Excretion NERVEPLEXI:SolarPlexus PHYSIOLOGICALCONNECTIONS: GLANDS:Pancreas ORGANS:Stomach,Liveretc. OTHER:Mitochondria PSYCHOLOGICALCHARACTERISTICS: POSITIVE SelfIexpressive Artistic Confident Generous Lively Physicallyactive NEGATIVE Intolerant Careless Argumentative Extravagant Pleasureloving Shameless

139

140 ,,

141 The,Air,Element, CHAPTER,4, ANAHATA,Chakra, Center-of-Unstuck-Sound- Anahataenergyisresponsibleforallexpansionandmostoutwardmoving forcesintheuniverse. AtthephysiologicalleveltheforceofAnahatamakesusbreatheandkeeps ourheartbeating.itsexpansivenaturecreateshealingofthebodythrough detoxificationandeliminationofundesirablesubstancesorresiduesthat haveaccumulatedinus,gentlysweepingeverythingoutofthebody. Atthemolecularlevelitistherepulsionoflikeforces.Justastwonorthpoles ofamagnetwillpusheachotherapart,orastworubberballscollidingwill bounceoffofeachother,thisforceisactingoneachmoleculeofair,pushing themaparttocreatetheexpansionoftheairelement. Attheuniversallevelthisforceisexpandingtheuniverse,movingeverystar andgalaxyoutwardandwayfromeachother. AtthepsychologicallevelAnahataenergyinspirestheurgetoreachoutand helporhealpeople.thefeelingofcompassionand/orlovemotivatesour actionswhenthisenergyisbalancedandflowing. ELEMENT, Air:theenergyorpowerofexpansion.TheforceofAnahataismanifestedthrough theairelementandcanbeseeninthewayairmoleculespusheachotherapart.this isanintangibleforce,farmoresubtlethenthepreviousthree.itis,however,aforce thatcanbefeltinthemagneticworldwhen,forexample,weputtwonorthpolesof amagnettogetherandwitnesstherepulsiontheyexertoneachother.whereasfire hasbeenaperceptiblyobviouspowereversinceprimitivetimes,thepowerofairis invisible.considerwhatenergyformmakesaballoonexpandwhenyoublowair intoit.theairmoleculesarepushingeachotherapart;likelittlemagnets,theydo

142 notwanttobecompressed.thisgentlepowerlikestocreatespacebetween particlesofmatter,(ifthereissuchathingasaparticleinreality).wemightalsosay thatitisanexpansiveforcethatmovesoutformthecenter;theoppositeofgravity. Anahataisthepowerthatmakesourlungsexpandwhentheyfillupwithair,and alsotheforcethatmovesoxygenthroughoutthebody(outtotheextremities)to nourishallourcells.thissubtleforcemovesoutward,distributingandexpanding theatomsofourbeingandthusconstitutestheessenceoftheenergythatmakesus grow.onamicrocosmiclevel,thistypeofpranaitiscalledvyana,whileonthe macrocosmicscale,thisenergycausestheentireuniversetoexpand,andisreferred toasvayu.itisapowerfulforceatleastequaltothatofgravityandisalways counterbalancingthatinwardpull.wehavesaidnothinghereofthepowerofairas windinoureverydayworld.thinkforamomentabouttornadoesandhurricanes andwhatpoweristhere.theancientsummeriansvenerated Enlil, lordofairand wind,astheirtopdeity. Atthelevelofcosmicgeometry,thisforceisrepresentedbyadivisionofthecircle intotwelve,(seeninmanyculturesasa12petalledlotusorgeometricmandalaof sometype).intheoldchristiancathedralswecanoftenfindatwelvesectioned stainedglasswindow,sometimeswiththesunshiningthroughifwearelucky.this 12sectiondivisioncutsthecircleof360degreesintosegmentsof30degreeseach, theangleatwhichelectromagneticenergiescrosstomanifesttheairelement.atthe centerofthecreatedmandala,theenergiesmergeinpairs,becauseofharmonics, andweendupwith6anglesof60degrees.thuswehaveasixpointstar,madeup oftwointerlacedtrianglesthathavemerged theyantrasymbolforanahata chakra. Whenthethirdeyeisopened,thesetrianglescanbeseenontheinside,atwhich timegentleobservationmightallowtheyogitowitnesshowthetrianglesmove apartwiththeinibreathandcometogetheragainwiththeoutibreath.thereisa tranquilitythatoccurswhenthesetrianglesuniteinanahata,thefourthchakra. Thoughitmaytaketrainingandefforttokeepthemtogether,perseverancecanlead

143 toaverycalmmindandblissfulfeelingsintheheart.patanjalimentionsintheyoga Sutras(ch.2)thatbytheexpirationandretentionofbreaththemind-can-be-broughtto-a-standstill.Whenoneaccomplishesthat,onecanexperienceinnersoundsand innerfeelings,becausethementalthinkingnoiseisnotlongerpresent.also, aspiringyoginisshouldnotethatthisisthesamegoalaimedforinbuddhism.in vipasanameditationforinstance,onefocusesonthebreathwithoutchanging anything,andcomestonoticethebreathingimpulseitself,perhapseventhe heartbeat.thedirectinnerperceptionofeitherorbothoftheseisaveryblissful experience,accessibletothosewhosucceedinstillingthemind.

144 Turningourattentioninwardandcalmingthemindalsoopensupthedoorwaytoa soundchamberfilledwithasymphonyofmusicwithoutmusicians.anahataliterally meansthecenterofunistrucksound soundthatsimplyexistswithoutbeingmade. Normally,soundiscreatedbysomethingthatisvibrating;inthecaseofAnahata nothingphysicalisvibrating,welearntoperceivetheenergyitselfinthestateof vibration.thevibrationsareofcourseverysubtle,justastheairelementisthe mostsubtleofthefirstfour;wecannotseeitortasteitortouchit,(althoughwecan feelthewind). ENDOCRINE,GLAND, Overlayingtheheartisthethymus,atwinIlobedglandconsistinglargelyof developinglymphocytes.lymphcarrieswhitebloodcellstothisorgan,wherethey multiplyandchangeintospecialinfectionifightingcells.thethymushastheability tocodethemolecularstructureofthelumphocytessotheycanplugintothe moleculesofinvadingbacteria,andneutralizethem,sometimesblowingthemapart. Becauseofthis,itisknowntohaveanimportantfunctionwhichhelpsdevelop immunityagainstvariousdiseases.manyresearchersbelievethethymusproduces theoriginallymphocytesformedinthebodybeforebirthandcontinuestoproduce themafterbirth.thelymphocytesthentravelfromthethymustothelymphnodes andspleenthroughthecirculatinglymph.itisalsobelievedthatthethymusformsa hormoneessentialforimmunity.thishormone,knownasthymichumoralfactor (THF,orthymosin),mustbepresentforashorttimeafterthebabyisbornifheisto beabletodevelopanyimmunity.afterpuberty,thethymusgenerallybeginsto shrinkinsize.itsprimaryroleseemstobedevelopmentofimmunityintheearly yearsoflife.itshouldwakeupagainwhenweneedtodefendourselvesagainst somenewinvader. Itseemshowever,thatinmanypeopleithasbecomedysfunctional,atleastformthe perspectiveofyogichealth.thisisdueinpartotbadbreathinghabits(suppressed breath),dietshighinchemicaladditives,andtheuseofantibiotics,whichattemptto replacethefunctionofthethymus.inthepracticeofyoga,thisglandisrejuvenated becauseofthedeepbreathing,allowingustodevelopnewantibodiesforwhatever comesourway. Whitebloodcells,calledleukocytes,ofwhichtherearefivetypes,areoutnumbered byredbloodcells600to1.themainfunctionoftheleukocytesistoprovidea deferenceagainst foreign material(infectiousagents,foreignbodies,abnormal proteins).leukocyteshaveanintrinsicabilityto know whatisbiologicallypartof usandwhatdoesnotbelong.thisintelligence,rightdownatthebasiccelllevel,is originallycodedin(orprogrammed)bythethymusgland,asmentionedpreviously. Yogicphysiologyonceagainpointstothevibratinginharmonywiththatoriginal recordingareeliminated.researchdonerecentlyonthesoundsoflivingcellshas shownthatcancercellssoundmorelikechainsawsthanliketheharmonious symphonyofhealthycells.

145 Inthepresenceofaforeignmaterial,basophilsandsomelymphocytesrelease chemicalsthatcauseinflammationbytriggeringthereleaseofextralymphfromthe bloodvessels.theotherleukocytesthentaketheforeignmaterialintotheirown bodiesanddigestthem.thisprocessofdigestioniscalledphagocytosis;thecells thatdigestmicrobesarecalledphagocytes.themostnumerousofthephagocytes aretheneutrophils.restassuredthatyourdefensesystemislikeamilitary organization,capableofoutimaneuveringbacteria,virusesandfungi,and eliminatingthemfromthebody.forthispartofustoworkefficiently,weneedtobe ingoodconditionphysicallyandmentally. Lymphocytesarethewhitebloodcellsthatformantibodiesagainstdisease.When microbesinvadethebody,lymphocytesbegintomultiplyandbecometransformed plasmacells.researchersbelievethatthethymushormoneactsonlymphocytes, causingthemtochangeintoplasmacells,whichthenformantibodiesthatresultin ourimmunity.eachmicrobestimulatesonlyonetypeoflymphocytetomultiplyand formonetypeofplasmacell.thetypeofplasmacellformedisonethatcanmakea specificantibodytodestroytheparticularmicrobethathasinvadedthebody.when aparasiteorvirusinvadesandbeginstocolonize,thereservesofwhitebloodcells arereleasedandthemanufacturingoflargequantitiesoftheappropriatewhilecells begins;theircountgoesupdramaticallywhenweareinfected.thisincreased productionisoftenaccompaniedbyfever,partlyduetoahighermetabolismneeded fortheirmanufacture,andpartlyduetothehigheractivityofthebattleitself.justas musclecellsgoupintemperaturewhenweworkthemhard,sodoourwhiteblood cells,althoughithasnotbeenprovenasmedicalfact,yet.anotheraspectofthis highertemperatureisthattheheatcanhelpdestroythevirus,astheyhavelow toleranceforanydegreeoftemperatureabovethenorm. Forthisprocesstofunctionproperly,thethymusglandmustbealiveandwell,and requiresassurplusofoxygen.sincetheworldofmicrobesischangingwiththe times,itmaybefairlyimportanttokeepthispartofourselvesingoodoperating order.withtheadventofpharmaceuticalcorporationsandthedrugera,microbes havebecomeincreasinglyintelligentanddevious.theyhaveinfactfiguredouthow tooutmaneuverantibioticsbychangingthemselvessoastobeimmunetothese drugs.itseemsthatthecorporationscannotkeepupwiththechangingformsofthe bacteria.ourownlymphocytescan,butonlyiftheyarewellsupportedbyahealthy immunesystem.hereliesthegreatestmotivationforthepracticeofyogaatthe physicallevel,sincethewholescienceofyogarejuvenatesthissystemveryquickly. Redbonemarrowcontinuallyproduceswhitebloodcells,andkeepsareserveready incaseofneed.lymphocytesandmonocytesarecodedbylymphatictissuelocated inthelymphnodesandspleen.beforethattimetheyremainmoregeneric,likea certaintypeofclaythathasyettobemoldedintoitsuniqueshape. Thiscodingprocessisaveryimportantpartofthe4 th chakrafunctions.the directivesfortheentireimmunesystemdependonastrongandbalancedenergy

146 flowatthislevel;includingtheflowofenergyandinformationbetweenmindand body.theremaybeagreatnumberofthingswhichcaninterferewiththishealthy flow,whilethecontentofoursubconscious,includingourbeliefsystemabout disease,isveryinfluenctialinthisdepartment.otherverystrongfactosare:our mentalconditionings,ourpersonalbeliefsystems,ourattitudestowardourselves andothers,negativefeelingssuchasguildand/orshame,etc..lookinthesectionon mentaldirection(page119)formoredetailsonthepsychologicalandemotional aspects. OTHER,PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS, Lungs, Twelvegreenleavesareportrayedassymbolsofthephysiologicalfunctionof breathingandourconnectionwiththeworldofplants.theoxygenthatweabsorb throughbreathingcomesfromthegreenileafplantsandalgaeintheoceansetc.we inhalethisgas,absorbit,metabolizeitandproducecarbondioxideasaresult.then, weexhalethecarbondioxidethattheplantsneedtogrowwith;theytakethe carbonoutandgiveusbacktheoxygen,completingthecycleofgiveandtake. Withintheleavesaretheveins,whichcarryoutthefunctionofdistributingcarbon dioxidethroughtheplant.thisisfollowedbytheabsorptionofthecarbonandthe subsequentreleaseofoxygen.inus,ourarteriesandveinssimilarlyarethe pathwaystodistributeoxygenandtakebackcarbondioxide.hereisourintimate connectionwiththeenvironmentatlevelfour,theairelement;weshareourbreath withthegreenplants,andtheywithus. Therespiratorysystemisresponsibleforsupplyingoxygentothebloodand expellingwastegasesfromthebody,gasesofwhichcarbondioxideistheprimary constituent.thediaphragm,alarge,thinmusclebelowthelungs,andtheintercostal andabdominalmusclesareresponsibleforcontractingandexpandingthethoracic cavitytoeffectrespiration:theribsserveasastructuralsupportforthewhole thoracicarrangement,andpleuralmembraneshelpprovidelubricationforthe respiratoryorganssothattheyarenotchafedduringrespiration.thelungs themselvesaretwospongeilikesacs,whichexpandduetothevacuumcreatedwhen thediaphragmmovesdown,theribsouttothesidesandthechestrises.these spongeilikesacscontainthealveoli,whereoxygenandcarbondioxidediffusion replenishesbloodcells.thelungsaredividedintotherightandlefthalves,which havethreeandtwolobesrespectively.theleftmiddlelobeismissingorelsevery small,becausetheheartisinitsplace.airentersthroughthenose(hopefully),goes throughthenasalpassagesinthehead(wherepranaisabsorbedthroughthe olfactorybulb),andcomesbackdowntothethroat.atthepharynx,thespecialized respiratoryorgansdivergeintotheairways.thelarynx,orviocebox,islocatedat theheadofthetrachea,orwindpipe.thetracheaextendsdowntothebronchi, whichbranchoffatthetrachealbifurcationtoenterthehilusoftheleftorrightlung.

147 Thelungscontainthenarrowerpassageways,orbronchioles,whichcarryairtothe functionalunitofthelungs,thealveoli.there,inthethousandsoftinyalveolar chambers,(fig.4c),oxygenistransferredthroughthemembraneofthealveolar wallstothebloodcellsinthecapillarieswithin.likewise,wastegasesdiffuseoutof thebloodcellsintotheairinthealveoli,tobeexpelleduponexhalation. Thealveoliarethetinysacsattheends(or leaves )onthebronchialtree.each smallbronchioledividesintohalfadozenorsoalveolarducts,whicharethenarrow inletsintoalveolarsacs.eachlargealveolarsacislikeagrapeclusterwhichcontains tenormorealveoli.thewholestructureisverymuchlikeaninvertedtree,withthe alveoliattheendsofthebranchesbeingtheleaves.thewallsofthealveoliare incrediblythin,asarethewallsofthecapillariessurroundingthem(onecellthick), allowingforthepassageofoxygenandcarbondioxide.becausethealveoliarefilling upwithairfromoutsidethebody,whichmaycontainbacteria,theyareparticularly ifthereisanyexcessmucus.forthisreason,yogaincludesmanytechniquesfor clearingthelungs.bacterialovetomakethemselvesathomeinsweetmucus,butif

148 thereislittleofthisinthealveolitheycan tproliferate.withvigorousdeep breathingandrapidbreathingtechniques,thereisverylittlesurplusofthisgooey substance. Ourtotallungscapacityisgenerallyaround5liters.Thisreferstoalltheairwhich canbeexhaledfromthelungs,plusanyresidualairleftinthelung schambers.one cannevercompletelyexhalealloftheairformthelungs,asthiswouldrequirethe lungs,thebronchiandthebronchiolestocollapse.eventhen,someairremainsin thealveoli.themaximumairwhichcanbeexhaledisaboutagallon,orjustunder4 liters,onaverage,withtheresidualairbeingwhatisleftinthelungs(aquart,or liter,onaverage).thetotallungcapacity,therefore,isabout5quarts(justunder5 liters)ofair.airinhaledandexhaledinnormalrespirationisaboutapint,orhalfa liter.followinganormalexpiration,theamountofairtakeninbythedeepest inhalationpossibleamountstoabout3quarts(justunder3liters).withtrainingin thepranayamatechniquesofyoga,thisveryquicklyexpandsto4quarts.allofthese capacitieschange,astheamountsofairinandoutgotogreaterextremes.diseases anddisordersofthelungs,suchastobaccoiinducedlungdisease,emphysema, bronchitis,pneumoniaandasthma,candrasticallydiminishthecapacityofthe lungs.thetobaccoinducedproblemstendtocoatthewallsofthealveoliwithtarso thatthediffusionofoxygenandcarbondioxideisgreatlyinhibited.however,allof theseconditionscanbereversedratherquicklywiththeapplicationofpranayam Yoga,whileatthesametimetheefficiencyofthealveolitomovetheoxygenintothe bloodisincreasedandcirculationisimproved. Heart,and,Circulatory,System, Inorderforthebodytostayalive,eachofitscellsmustreceiveacontinuoussupply offoodandoxygen.atthesametime,carbondioxideandothermaterialsproduced bythecellsmustbepickedupforremovalformthebody.thisprocessiscontinually maintainedbythebody scirculatorysystem.theprimarycirculatorysystem consistsoftheheartandbloodvessels,whichtogethermaintainacontinuousflow ofbloodthroughthebody,deliveringoxygenandnutrientstoandremovingcarbon dioxideandwasteproductsfromperipheraltissues.theheartpumpsoxygenirich bloodfromthelungstoallpartsofthebodythroughanetworkofarteriesand smallerbranchescalledarterioles.thebloodreturnsviasimilarsmallbloodvessels, nowcalledvenules,whichleadtothelargerveins,andbacktotheheart.atthis pointtheoxygenleavesthebloodthroughtheverythinwallsofthesetinyblood vessels,goesthroughthetissuefluidandintothecells.atthesametime,carbon dioxidethathasbeenproducedduringcellmetabolismleavesthecellsandfindsits waybacktotheblood.arteriolesandvenulesarelinkedtoevensmallervessels calledmetarterioles.tinybloodvessels,nowcalledcapillaries,asinglecellthick, branchofffromthemetarteriolesandthenrejoinsthem.thenetworkoftiny capillariesiswheretheexchangeofoxygenandcarbondioxidebetweenbloodand bodycellstakesplace.hereagainwefindatreeilikestructure,goingformthelarge

149 arteriesandveinsattheheartdowntothetiniestcapillariesbothinthelungsand throughoutthecellsofthebody,(seediagram4d).theaverageadulthasover 60,000milesofbloodvesselsinthebody. Redbloodcells,callederythrocytes,carry99%oftheoxygenthebodyneeds. Althoughplasmacirculatesthroughoutthebody,itcanonlycarryabout1%ofthe oxygenthatthebodyneeds.redbloodcellsconstituteabout45%oftheblood. Theirmainfunctionistocarryoxygentotissuesandremovecarbondioxidewaste, aprocessthatgoeson24hoursaday.intheyogicviewofphysiology,allofthisis broughtaboutthroughtheattractionandrepulsionforcesworkinginturnthrough theforcesofthefirstandfourthchakras.carbondioxideandoxygenhavedifferent ratesofvibration,differentenergypropertieswhichmakethemreactwith hemoglobininuniqueways.thehemoglobinitselfhastheabilitytochangeits vibrationratesothatitgoesfromattractiontorepulsionasneeded,followinga certainrhythmandgoingwiththeflowofcirculation.somehow,whenintheareaof thefourthchakra,thehemoglobinadjustsitsfrequencytorepelthecarbondioxide, turningintotheforceofrepulsion acharacteristicofthisenergycenter.these energy forces aremorecloselylinkedwithourenergybody(pranamayakosha). Asweworkwithpranaabsorptionanddistribution,alloftheseforceswithwhich

150 ourcells,glandsandorgansworkaresignificantlyenhanced.astheforcesbecome stronger,theglandsandorgansarealsostrengthenedandtheirfunctions subsequentlymoreefficient.inthiswaythewholebodybeginstooperatemore effectivelyandourhealth,asawholisticphenomenon,becomesstrongandhighly resistanttoanydisease. JNANENDRIYA, Thephysiologicalsenseconnectedtothiscenteristhatoftouch,and,feeling.The senseorganinvolvedhereistheskinandallthevariousnervereceptorsthathave todowithperceptionoffeelingthroughoutthebody.thisisamuchbiggersense thanthatofseeingortastingorsmelling.itisnotlocalizedforonething,andcovers abroadspectrumoffeelingsthatgofromthemostdirecttouchtothesubtlest emotion.thoughouterfeelingsareusuallymorenoticeable,thismaychange dramaticallywhenthereispainduetosomekindofinternaldisturbance,likea toothacheordigestivedisturbance.oncewegoinward,thissenseoffeelingcanbe developedandrefinedinitssensitivityuntilweperceivesomeofthesubtlest processesofbodyfunctions.generally,howeverweareextrovertedbeingsandtend tofeelthingscomingfromtheoutsidemoreeasilythanthosewithin.(seeingor hearingsimilarlyhavethatabilitytopullusoutwardsbecausethosesensationsare obvious,brightandloud.) Therootsofthischakraarebranchingoutintospace.Itisasifthenervoussystem withinourbodybecomesanantenna,fineitunedforreceivingtheincomingenergy ofthestars.theseenergyflowscomeintothecenterofthechakraallowingusto linktotheuniverseattheheartlevel.oneofthetechniquesusedinyogaistosimply feeltheuniversalenergyflowinginthroughyournervoussystem.asyoudevelop theinnersensitivitytoactuallynoticethisflowbypayingattentiontoallfeelings fromthemostobvioustothesubtlest,youwillcometoadeeplevelof understandinglifethroughintuition(seeguruharidyamanas). KARMENDRIYA, Becausethesenseinvolvedhereisfeeling,wearemovedtoproducefeelingthrough movementandappropriateactions.theorgansofactionarethegenitals.sexdrive motivatesusinthatwelongforthefulfillingfeelingsthatcomesthroughmaking love;orgasmisperhapsthemostsatisfyingfeelingweknow.thisispartofthegreat Forceofliferenewal.Itisthecreativityoflifeitselflongingtocontinuealongits blissfulpath.wecouldsaythatthedesiretofeelcomesfromthiscenter,thoughwe needtounderstandthatdesirearisesatthislevelbecausewearenottakingtimeto feeltheinnerexperienceswehaveaccessto.themorewebecomeawareofour

151 ownfeelings,thelesswesearchforfulfillingfeelingselsewhere.wehaveaccessto anoverwhelmingamountofblissfulfeelingwhenwegodeepintoanahata;thisis wheremeditationleadsus.(seementaldirectionandkarmayoga). CHARACTERISTICS, Thefourthchakraisourfeelingcenter.Hereweareputintouchwithallofour feelings,fromthemostphysicalthroughtheemotionaltothemostsubtleand intuitive.itisalsoourhealingcenterandassuchtendstoputusintouchwithour compassionandadesiretohelpothers. Whentheenergyisstrongandbalanced: 1. Healthyimmunesystem,radiantglow,drawntowardsthehealingarts. 2. Verycompassionateandempathetictowardsallbeings,tendencytoemanate universallove. 3. Friendlyandlovingtowardsothers;joyfulexpression;non0judgmentaland acceptingofallpeople. 4. SenseofselfIloveandconfidence. 5. Takespleasureinpeopleandlife;enjoyshelpingothers. 6. Veryintuitiveandsensitivetootherpeople sfeelingsandemotionalstates. 7. Practical,organizedandanalyticaltowardsprojects/goals;perseveresinlife. 8. Reliableanddependable. Whentheenergyistoostrongorthechakratooopen: 1. Maybesmotheringwithaffectionforothers,andmaybecomeoverly dependentandneedyinrelationships. 2. Mightbeoverlysensitiveandbecomedistrustfulduetofeelingtoomuch subconsciousinfluence. 3. Maybecomeantagonistic,demandingorbossy,withsarcastictones. 4. Mightbecomedeceitfulormanipulativeinwordsandactions. 5. Perhapsburdenedwithsubconsciousfeelingsofguildordeepinnersadness; tangledinkarmicsubconsciousnegativity. 6. Tendencytogotoofarinward,gettinglostinmental/emotionalclouds. Depletedorblockedfourthchakra: 1. Lowimmunesystem,poorhealthduetoshallowbreathing;maybe asthmatic. 2. Senseofnumbness;outoftouchwithphysicalandemotionalfeelings. 3. LackofselfIlove,compassionandforgiveness. 4. Noempathyorsympathyforothers,evenblamingothersforproblems. 5. Withdrawnwhenitcomestointimaterelationships.

152 6. MaybecomeneedyandcoIdependentandhaveweakboundariesin relationships. 7. Caneasilybecomefussy,suspicious,deceptive;selfIpitying. 8. Discontented,negativeoutlookleadingtodepression. MENTAL,DIRECTIONS, Thedirectioniswest.Withthesettingsunthemindgoesintothedarknessofthe subconscious,thatplacewheredwellourmemories,innermostthoughtsand feelings,andtherealitiesofourselves.whenwegettoknowallthatiswithinour ownmind,wecangobeyonditintothecollectiveunconsciousandtherealmofini tuition.however,the stuff thataccumulatesinthesubconsciousmindduringonly onelifetimecanquicklybuildawallthroughwhichwecanseenothingatall.the totalityofourexperiencesisstoredhere,fromourtimeinthewombuntilthe present.ifwehavenotunderstoodtheseexperiencesinthelightoftheeducationof oursoul,thenthemisunderstoodlessonswillremainthereasunresolvedproblems. Theseneedtobeclearedandcomprehendedbeforewecangointotherealmofthe archetypeswhereliethevisionsandimagesofallpossibilities,thecosmicpatterns towhichwecanmoldourselves.beforewecanaccessthesehighervisions,wemust alsopenetratethefulltruthofouregoiidentity.withintrospectionwemustgetto knowthemanyaspectsofourselves ourconflicts,worries,hopesandfears;our

153 subconsciousmotivationsandpropellingdesires.withinoursubconsciousliesour wholekarmicrecord thememoryofeverythingwehavedone,bothbadandgood, aswellasallourintentions,thereisnoescapefromthisandleavingitbehind.this partofourbeingfollowsuseverywhere,evenfrombodytobody,untilwehaveseen andunderstoodthewholepicture. Theyogicjourneyintotheunconsciousisphysiologicalaswell,beginningwith takingcontrolofthebreath,whichisasubconsciousfunctioninallbeings.oncewe stepinandtakecontrolofthisfirstsubconsciousprocessweopenthedoorintothe unconscious.wecanthenprocess,throughfeeling,intotherealmofthebody, exploringanddiscoveringmanyoftheprocessesoflife.welearntoperceivethe breath,heartbeat,pulse,bloodflowtovariouspartsofthebody,goingdeeperinto thefunctionsofglandsandorgans,evendowntotheperceptionofcellular metabolism.thisexpansionofawarenessdownintothebodycreatesaparallel expansionthroughareasofthemind,wheremanythingsarestoredawayorsimply unknown.inthemodernworldofbodyworkandtherapyitisbecomingrecognized thatmemoriesareindeedcontainedwithinthedifferentregionsofourbody.yogais theoldestknownsystemthatdelvesdeeplyintothebody,goingallthewaydownto thecellularlevel. Untilthemindiswellknowninallitsdirections,theintuitionwillrarelyseemclear enoughobeacceptedwithconfidence,becausedoubtsorconflictinginformation willbubbleupformsomedarkcorneroftheunderworldwecallthesubconscious. ByfarthegreatestshieldthatstandsinfrontofthisinItuitioniseverythingwe knowaboutourselvesthatisnotinharmonywithwhatwewantinourlife,or anythingwearenotbeinghonestaboutwithourselvesorwithothers.another barriertothisintuitivenatureistheskepticismandcynicismthatispredominantin ourculture. Timeitselfisoneoftheaspectsofthefourthchakra,sincethebeatoftheheartis ourpersonalmeasureoftime;whenthebeatcomestoastandstill,timecomestoan endinourexperience,asweenterarealmbeyondtheconventionalpassageoftime. Inthatrealmeverythingseemstobeeternallyinexistence.Lookingoutatthestars allaroundusintheuniverse,wecanseeourselvessittingatthecenterofthishuge sphereofenergywhichseemstoberevolvingaroundus;itislikebeingatthecenter ofthecosmicclock.fromthispointofviewwecanlookaroundandseethewhole circleoftimerevolving.but,whenwearenotseeingthewhole,lookinginonlyone direction,wefindourselvesgoingaroundinthatgreatcircle,and,likethehandsof theclock,wemovealongminutebyminuteinthepassingexperiencesoflifeinthe normalworld. Theenergymanifestationisdividedinto12:the12hoursontheclock,the12signs ofthezodiac,andthe12archetypalpatternsintowhichhumansfall.the12 apostlesandthe12tribesofisraelreflectthesepersonalitytypesmanifested throughtheenergiesoftime,asdothe12animalsofthechinesecalendar.most,if notall,ancientcivilizationsknewabouttheuniversalenergiesthatmoldour

154 personalities.asastudentofyogaitisgoodtodevelopsomeunderstandingofthese energeticconnectionswehavewiththeuniverse. YAMA/NIYAMA,, YAMA:,Brahmacharya(sexualrestraint) Onemystrestrainsexualactivitiesinthephysicalandmentalplanes.Itisn t necessarytobecelibate,butitistheotherextremethatmustbeavoided.sexual energycanbeaveryimportantsourceofpower,orelseitcanbeoneofthemost powerfuldistractions.asalwaysthedistractionbeginsinyourmindandeventually leadsyoutophysicalactivity.ifyouallowyourmind,viasensualawareness,to absorballthevarioussexuallystimulatingadvertisements,pictures,peopleand things,youregowillautomaticallystarttoconjureupsexualfantasiesinregardsto allhesuitablepeopleyoumeet,orelseyouwillsimplyimaginealltheseattractive mates.eventuallyyoumaybeforcedintosomekindofsexualsatisfaction.sexdrive isanexpressionofthecreativelifeforce.itisquitestrong,andifnotconsummated insomewayitcanbecomedeviousorpervertedandpushapersontosexually abuseanother,ashasbeenknowntohappenincasesofinvoluntaryorforced celibacy.sexualfrustrationcanbeapowerfulcreativeforce,creatingfantasiesthat arousedesireandalterourhormonesintosexuallyactivemode.thisisnothealthy, althoughitmaykeepsomeadrenalinflowingtoanexcitementlevel;itisnothealthy withoutresolutioninsexualorgasm.ifyouhaveamate,anactivesexlifeisfine,but ifnotitallbecomesafrustratingwasteofenergy. Dissipationofenergyviaphysicalsexshouldnotbeoverdoneeither,sincethe secretionsofthesexglandsareneededforthedevelopmentofmentalandpsychic powers,eventheyouthfulnessandefficiencyofyourbodyaredependentuponthe conservationofthesereproductiveessences.sexualpowercanbeactive,but sublimatedandunderthecontrolofthewill.ifyoudonotlookatsexually stimulatingthings,youregowillnothavethefuelitneedstofantasizebeyondyour control,thenitwillbemucheasiertokeepyourmindfreeofsuchimaginings.this allowsyoutoestablishbondsofdeepercommunicationandunderstandingwith othersinsteadoflookingatthemwithsexualintent.purityofthoughtistheonly waytocontrolthelowermindofdesires;otherwisewhatpoweryoudevelopwillgo totheegoanditsdesiresforsensualgratification,whichwilleventuallywearyou outofphysicalexistence. Thesexualdriveispredominantinthemale,andcanbeveryextrovertedand sometimesloud.yetthereisalsoasocialdriveforaffectionandforapartnerthatis predominantlyfemale.thisleadswomentobemorepeopleorientedandsocial. Thoughmoresubtle,thislongingtobewithsomeoneisalsoadistractionfrom gettingtoknowoneself.aswedevolveoursensitivityintherealmoffeeling,we mightfinditrewardingtonoticethebreathflowinginandout;orwemightnotice thattheheartbeatitselffeelsveryorgasmic.beaware,though,thatsexual

155 distractions(orattractions)willoftenjumpinyourwaywhenyouattempttogoto theseinnerdepths. NIYAMA:,Santosha(serenity) Santoshameanssatisfactionandmentalserenity,notbeingfrustratedbywhathas happenedtoyouandnotbeingdrivenbydesire beinghappyandgratefulforwhat youhave.itishelpfultomaintainastateofmentalserenityevenifinawhirlwindof activity.inthebhagavadgita,krishnaadvisesarjunaonthebattlefieldtoremain calmandcenteredwhiletheforcesoftheuniverseflowthroughhimanddothe work.thisimpliesthatyoushouldnotgetoveriexcitedaboutanything;however,it obviouslydoesn tmeanthatyoushouldleadtheboringlifeofastone.rather,itis bettertostaycoolandcalmaboutwhatishappeningthantogetemotionally involvedintherushofevents.thisleadstogreaterawarenessofthesituationat handduetoamoreobjectiveoutlook,takingthetimetoseetheotherpersons perspective.butwhereactionisrequired,obviouslyonemustact.theruleis simple:emotionalexcitementshouldnotgovernyouractions.feelyouremotions, butbeforeyoureacttothem,takeanobjectivelookanddecidewhatwouldbethe rightactiontotake.inthemeantime,keepyouremotionalfeelingsinsideyou; concentrateonfeelingthemwithoutallowingthemtomakeyourheadspinin confusion.studyyourfeelingsbeforeyouletthemcontrolyou;expresstheirenergy throughbreathing,movement,chantingandotherpositivewaysthatleadtocalmer, happierstates.eveninthemostintenseemotionalexperience,yourmindshouldbe calmasthoughsettledintheeyeofahurricane.remainatthecenterofyourself, wherethebreathingimpulseandheartbeatarefelt.beawareofthehereandnow. Desiresarethedemonswemustconstantlybeonguardagainst.Theybringwith themmanyemotionsandpromisesofhappiness.onlyafteryouhavefollowedthese impulsesmanytimesdoyoubegintorealizethatthefeelingsofsatisfactionand fulfillmenttheybringareshortilived,andyoumustgooutlookingforthemagain. Eventuallyyouwillseethatitisbettertobehappywithwhatyouhave yourself KARMA,YOGA, Karmaisessentiallyauniversallawofbalance.Justaswhatgoesupmustcome down,soalsowhatisputoutbyuscomesbacktous.fromthepointofviewofthe ScienceofYogathisissimplyalogicalresultoftheenergyworld;whenyouthrow somethingupwardsittakesacertainforce,orenergy,tomakeitgoup,thenan equalamountofgravity,anotherforce,bringsitbackdown.beingalwaystrueof physicalobjects,thesametruthappliestotherestoftheenergyworld,includingthe mental,whichofcourserunsonenergy.itwasoncestatedbyaverywisemanthat weshoulddountoothersaswewouldhavethemdountous;hesawclearlyand understoodthatwhatwedotootherseventuallycomesbacktous.

156 ThisisstatesasthelawofKarma.Inyogaitisreferredtoascauseandeffect,andis appliedtoeverythingwedoinlife,notjustinoursociallifebutalsoinrelationto ourselves.forinstance,deepibreathingcreatesamassagingeffectonourinternal organs,stimulatingbettercirculationwhileatthesametimeenrichingthe circulatingbloodwithoxygen.thiscausescertainmetabolicchangeswhichcreatea rejuvenatingeffectuponthecells;causeandeffect.creatinggoodkarmainsuchas wayistheactiveroleofkarmayoga.wecontinueinthisway,examiningallareasof ourlives howwemove,breathe,eat,thinkandbehavesocially. Karmayogathenbecomestheusefulapplicationofourunderstandingofcauseand effect.wecreatehealthybodiesbytreatingourphysicalselvesappropriately.we createagoodsociallifebygoodbehaviorwithothers.wecreateabetterspiritual societybyapplyingourspiritualvaluestothesocietyinwhichwelive.theyama& Niyamaaretheguidelinesforsettingourbehavioralonganevolutionarypath. Sincewehavenotalwaysbeenlivinginperfectharmonywithallofthoseideals, thereisoftenabacklogofeffectscomingfromourpastbehavior.perhapswecan seethisinthepresentillhealthinourbodies,orinstrangesocialeventsinwhich weareentangled,butwhicheverwayweseeit,itisaneffectthatwehave previouslycaused.itmaytakealittletimetocatchuponthesecircumstanceswe havecaused,butoneofthebestwaystoturnthetablesaroundandbring bad karma toanendisthroughthepositiveanddynamicactionofkarmayoga helpingyourselfandothersalongthespiritualpath.thisphotoofquanyin representsadivinebeingwhohelpstonurtureothers;weaffiliateourselveswith thatdivinenurturingessencewhichisthenatureofthefourthchakra. Thistypeofyogaisoftendepictedasservicetoothers,withthegoodreasonthatlife canbecomeaverybeautifulexperiencewhenwespendouttimehelpingothers.we inevitablyfeelgoodwhenpeoplearethankinguswiththeutmostsincerity.wecan

157 feeltheirappreciation;itcreatesanicefeelingwithinourownhearts,thereby makingiteasiertobepresentintheheartchakrawhereallourfeelingsdwell. Rememberthathisisalsotherealmofthesubconsciouswhereourmemorieslie dormantlikebooksonalibraryshelf.whenweactwithbenevolenceinhelping othersontheirspiritualpath,thememoriescreatedcontaingoodfeelingsthatwe caneasilylivewith.wecanacceptthese,andwithoutthisclearacceptanceof ourselves,itcanbemuchmoredifficulttogotothisinnerrealmandperceivethe blissofthevibratingfieldweknowaslove.ifwehavebeenspreadingdistrustand fearamongstourrelationsthenthosefeelingswilladduptobuildawallofparanoia blockingthewayintothoseblissfulfeelings.consequentlykarmayogafocuseson thecreationofpositivefeelingsthroughcompassionateactions,eachofwhich contributetoafoundationwecanthenstandonwhileexploringthedeepestinner realms. Guru,Haridya,Manas, (TheInnerTeacher) GuruHaridyaManasisasecondarychakrawithintherealmofAnahata.Itdoesnot haveanelementofitsown,butinthefrequenciesoftheenergyfieldsitliesbetween thevibrationsofthefourthandfifthvortexes,combiningtheintuitivefeelingofthe

158 formerandthecosmicknowledgeofthelatter.feelingandintuitionareprimary attributesofthisharidchakra,aswellasinnersoundsmentionedearlier.from heretheintuitivevoicespeaksthroughtheanahatabutcannotusuallybehearddue totheloudervoiceoftheverbalthoughtprocess,nottomentionthevolumeof sensationsandsoundscomingfromtheoutside.insightsmaysneakthroughinthe beginningofthisunfolding,andifwepayattentiontothese,andrepeatedlyturn inwardforoursourceofinformation,theinsightsclarifyintodirectperceptionof realityinanygivensituation. AccordingtoDr.SwamiGitananda,physiologicallythisenergyvortexisconnected tothenerveendingsintheliningofthepericardium,whichcontaintheoriginal impulsesfortheheartbeat.thepulsationisat55persecondandbeginsaround27 daysafterconception,stimulatingthehearttobeginbeatingatabout92days.these impulsesareasgentlyandsubtleasintuitionitself,buttheycanbefeltand contributetotheblissofthischakra. Inthesymbolismusedforthiscenterwefindtheserpentonceagain,theonethat wassleepinginthefirstchakra.thistimetheserpentisintheshapeofafullcircle withitstailintismouth,representingaselfiperpetuatingenergy,dependenton itself,consumingitself.thissymbolalsotellsusthepowerofkundaliniisneededto enterthiscenter.theperfectcircleindicatesitisunderthecontrolofthemind element,sincethemindissymbolizedasacircle.thevoicethatcomesthroughthis circularopeningisanintegralpartoftheintuitivemind.theteacherandthe studentarewithinonebeing,onefeedingtheotheratthementallevel. Whenthiscenteropens,itunfoldstwoouterpetalsfirst,whichgivetheappearance ofaneye;thesearemauveincolor,veryclosetothecolorofthetwopetalsofthe sixthchakra,tellingusoftherelationshipbetweenthem.notethatmauveand purplearebothmadeoftwocolorswhichunitetomakeonenewcolor,indicating thetypeofblendedunionthatopensthisdoor.hereisthemindwithintheheart; thecompassionatemindthatunderstandswithfeeling.atthislevel,thelogicaland rationalaspectsaresecondaryandnotalwaysrelevant. OnthesepetalsareinscribedthesoundsHANG-SAH,stimulatingegoconsciousness andcosmicconsciousnessrespectively.itissaidtobetheflowbetweenthesetow thatsupportslifeinthisworld.intheserpentpower,johnwoodroffewrites: On% the%physical%plane%prana%manifests%in%the%animal%body%as%breath%through% inspiration%(sa),%or%shakti,%and%expiration%(ha),%or%shiva.%breathing%is%itself%a% mantra,%known%as%the%mantra%which%is%not%recited%(ajapawmantra),%for%it%is%said% without%volition.%also,%the%breath%is%generally%taken%without%volition.%the%divine% current%is%the%motion%of%ha%and%sa. %Fromthesubtlemantrathatisconstantly flowingvibrantlythroughtheuniverse,thetechniqueofhangsahwasintuitively developedtobringthepracticingyogisintothisplace. Dwellinginthiscenterputsoneintouchwiththesourceoftheflow,sothatone becomesconsciousofallthatisgoingon.insidethetwopetalsthereisanother

159 eightipetalledlotuswitheightsoundsonthem:thesoundsformulafortheguru within.andwithinisayogisittingonanislandunderatree.theyogiistheteacher within(thisyogiisneithermalenorfemale,anymorethanknowledgeismasculine orfeminine);thetreeisthetreeoflife,itstrunkbeingthespinalcordwithitsroots goingoutintothebody.thefoliagerepresentsthebrain,dividedintotwomain hemispheres,eachdividedintotwo fourpartsindicatingfourmainranchesof knowledgethatneedtobeunderstood:consciousness,mind,energyandmatter. Theinnertruthofalltheseliesintherealizationthatawarenesspermeatesallof them:allisone.whenthesetwohemispheresworktogetherwecanhaveavery clearpictureofeverythinginlife.thoughtheinnerintuitivesidethatcomes throughthiscenterisbasednotonknowledgethatisrational,noronwhatis obvioustothesenses,itcanbeverifiedbytherational.thisknowingcomesthrough feelingthatcaneasilydefytheintellectattimes,yetiftheintellectispatient,itcan understoodandexplainwhathasbeensensedwiththeintuitiveside,(seechapter 6). ThetreeonthecenteroftheislandiscalledtheKalpaVrikshatreeinSanskrit.Itis the wishifulfillingtree ofcosmicscience.thistreecontainsthewisdomofthe ages,theknowledgeofmindovermatter,andthedeepestrewardsonthespiritual quest.hereitisknownthattheheartbeatinginyouisbutaminorbeatofthe universeitselfandbotharebreathingduetotheflowsofuniversalenergy. Understandinghowthisenergymanifestsinthematerialworldgivesusagreater roleinthecreativeprocess,andcaninfactleadtothegrantingofwishes.thetree s energyisinacosmicpatternthatdirectshowlifeunfoldsonearth;lookatallthe plantscoveringthesurfaceoftheplanet,withrootsintheearthandfoliagereaching uptothesky.thehumannervoussystemfollowsthatsamepatternwithroots downinthebodyandfoliageupinthehead. Theislanditselfismadeofjewels,symbolizingthattheearthisbeautyandwealth. Havingattainedthewisdomofthischakragivesonethewealthoftheworldinmany ways:oneofthosewaysmaybeprosperityaswenormallyseeit.anothermeasure ofprosperityisthestateofconsciousnessachieved,whichbringsonetoseebeauty ineverypebble,asifonapsychedelicjourney,sothatoneexperienceslifeasa luminousdream.blissfulconsciousnessistheprivatedwellingplaceofthisyogi, andfromthisplacehe/sheteacherswisdomthroughloveandcompassion.thefact thatitisanislandmakesitarefugefromtheturmoilofnormallifeonplanetearth, farremovedfromthebusinessofthemainland. Theyogi steachingscomedirectlyfromtheuniversalreality;aswell,he/shehasan intuitiveperceptionofthosetaught,andhowtheyareinterpretingthoseteachings. Theclarityofvisionandconfidenceallowshim/hertoteachwithanauthoritythat goesbeyondscripture,tradition,orthelawsoftheland.thetruthismadeclearand simpleanditisobvious.yogaistaughtfromitsoriginalsource,within,andnotfrom anyparticularschoolortradition.inthischakradwellsthewisdomofthedivine, givingaknowledgethatiscertain.thisiswhythegoalofyogaleadstotheinner realmoftheguru,andonecomestoseethelightwithin,andnotfollowsomeone

160 else slight;howeverbrightthatmightlook,andhelpfulasthatmightbeattimes,it canneverbeascolorfulnorasfittingasone sownvision.justasbeautyisintheeye ofthebeholder,andjustasthe kingdomofheaveniswithin,soalsothisinnerguru isourultimateteacher. Pancha%Sahita%Pranayama% Thewordpanchameansfive,andsahitameansairinmotion.ThisisafiveIpart mathematicalbreathdesignedtorejuvenatethephysicalglandsofthebodythrough stimulationofthechakraenergies,thepanchpranavayus.(thesehavetodowith thefiveforcesofthelowerchakras).panchsahitaisdoneovera45idayperiod, allowing9daysforeachsectionofthebreath.witheachofthesesections,focuscan beheldontheappropriatechakrawhileaminimumof9roundsofbreathisdone (27roundswouldbebetterthefirsttimethetechniqueisdone,andtheminimum foranyoneactuallyhavingphysicalproblemsinanyonearea). Thesesectionsshouldbedoneinasequenceastheycreateacertainenergyflow together.forinstance,whendoingsection3forthedigestiveorgans(manipura chakra),threeroundsofeachofthefirsttwosectionsneedtobedonefirst,then9to 27roundsofthethird.Bestdoneintheearlymorninghoursasanempowering preparationfortheday,orelseasaneveningroutinetoreviewtheeventsoftheday fromallthedifferentangles. CHAKRA, ORGANS, PRANA,TYPE, IN, HELD,, OUT, HELD, Muladhara Lungs Pranareflex Anahata Swadhistana Liver SamanuVayu Manipura Digestive UdanaVayu Vishuddha EliminationApana Anahata Heart Vyana I BENEFTIS:

161 Rejuvenatestheendocrineglandsandconnectedorgans,onebyone. Stimulatesenergyflowsthrougheachchakra,unblockingnervoussystem. Unfoldsapsychologicalreviewofthequadrantsofthemind. Afterthewholesequenceofthistechniquehasbeenperformedonce,itcanthen takeotherformstobecomepartofadailyroutine.thisisamoreadvancedmethod thatincorporatesthefourdirectionswiththepsychologicalclearingofeachofthe associatedchakras.infact,whiledoingthesequenceforthose45days,itisagood timetoapplytheintrospectivetechniquesofswadhiyaya.thisleadstoadiscovery oftheaspectsofmindconnectedtoeachenergycenterandeventuallytoan empowermentofeach. Thefirstbreathisdonefacingwestandlookingintooneself. Thesecondisdonefacingsouth,lookingintoone srelationswithothers. Thethirdisfacingeast,lookingatthedirectiononeisgoinginlife. Nextisfacingnorth,lookingintorealitiesoftheintellectandone sbeliefsystem. Thelastonereturnstothewest,tosettlethemindandperhapsentertheintuitive realm.

162 Yoga,Chiketsa,(Spinal,Therapy), Spinal,Walk, 1. Havethesubjectrelax,facedown,armsatthesidesandheadrestingonthe chin. 2. Standbalancedonyourleftfootonher/hisleft,sothatyourrightfootcan moveupanddownthespinefromthenecktothecoccyx. 3. Placeyourrightfootonthe12 th thoracic,sothearchofthefootisoverthe spine,heelononesideandballontheother. 4. Exertpressureontheballofthefoot,thenontheheel,rockingfromsideto sidewhilebreathingrhythmically.workup(orrockup)tothenextvertebra anddothesamething,andcontinuezigzagginguptotheneckareawithyour foot.thenworkbackdowntothecoccyxarea,thenbacktothestarting point.takeadeepbreath,retainingwhileapplyingaddedpressuretothe back;letgoofthebreathandliftthefootoff. 5. Havethepatientrelaxfor5minutes,orproceedtothenextmove. Thumb,Walk, 1. Havethepatientrelax,faceproneasabove. 2. Standoverthepatientwithonefootoneachsideandplaceyourthumbsinto thenotchesbetweenthevertebraeoneachsideofthespine,beginningatthe baseoftheneck. 3. Bothyouandthepatienttakeadeepbreathandexhaleasyouputpressure onthespine. 4. Nextinhalation:moveyourhandsdowntothenextvertebraandrepeatthe pressurewiththeexhalation. 5. Continueallthewaydowntothesacrumandfinishinthelittleindentations therein. Cervical,Stretch, 1. Havethepatientrelaxonhis/herback. 2. Fromapositionkneelingabovethehead,grasptheneckwithbothhands, and,rollingtheheadfromsidetoside,manipulatefromthe7 th cervicalupto the2 nd whilepullingawayfromthebody.withyourfingers,lifeandlower theheadtomanipulatethe1 st cervical. 3. Graspundertheskullwithbothhands,takingadvantageoftheskull lip, andfirmlyandgentlystretchtheneckbypullinguntilthebodymoves.

163 4. Placethefirstandsecondfingersoftherighthandsonapointjustunderthe eyebrowsoneithersideofthenoseto set thestretch.holdfor20seconds whilebreathingdeeply.after2minutes,repeatfrom3,andletpatientrelax5 minutes. Head,Rolls Part1 1. Havethepatientliesupine,withheadprojectingovertheedgeofatableso astoleavefreeplayfortheneckandhead. 2. Raisetheheaddirectlyupandgentlypushitintotheupperchestareausing bothhandsbehindthehead;repeat. 3. Raisetheheadlevelwiththebodyandturnitfacingleft,withyourlefthand supportingtheheadandyourforearmagainsttheforehead.yourrighthand isflatonthefacekeepingitlevel. 4. Movetheheadovertotheshoulderuntilittouches,thenbacktotouchthe othershoulderwiththebackofthehead. 5. Repeatfrom3goingtheoppositewaywithoppositehands. 6. Repeat2,headliftinguptochest,andhavethepatientrestacoupleof minutes. Part,2, 1. Dothefirsttwostepsasabove(headuptochestagain). 2. Holdtheheadlevelwiththebodyandturntotheleft,supportingwiththe lefthandandfingerstowardsface. 3. Placethepalmofyourhandonthelowestvertebraoftheneckandpressure it,atthesametimeflipping(andturningup)theheadwithyourlefthand. 4. Moveupthroughtheneckvertebraeuntiltheyarealldone. 5. Repeatontheoppositeside. 6. Finishasinthefirstpart. Stretches, Torso(LowerThoracicILumbar)Stretch 1. Havepatientrelaxonhis/herback. 2. Kneelorstraddlethepatientsoastobeabletoplacethefingersoneither sideofthespinalprocessesofthe8 th thoracic(dorsal)vertebra. 3. Liftgentlywiththefingersandtugfirmlyandgentlytowardsthefeet. 4. Holdingthetensioncreated,repeat3inthe10 th and12 th thoracic(dorsal) areaandthenthe2 nd and4 th lumbararea. 5. Leavepatienttorelax.

164 LumbarILegStretch 1. Havepatientrelaxonhis/herback. 2. Straddlingorkneelingoverthepatient,tugdownonthe4 th and5 th lumbar processes. 3. Graspthebackofthepelvicareaandtugdownward,flatteningthepelvisif necessary. 4. Maintainingthetension,slidedowntotheknees,graspandtugdowntillthe bodymoves. 5. Slidedowntotheanklesandpulltillthebodymoves. 6. Graspbothfeetinyourrighthandnearthebigtoeandholdfor20seconds whilebreathingdeeply. 7. After2minutesrepeatfrom5,andletpatientrest5minutes. FullSpinalStretch Dpthetprsp,lumbarIleg,andcervicalstretchesinthatorder,withoutwaitingtodo thereistretchingofthelegandcervicalstretches.repeatasrequired. Active,Practice,, Anahata,Chakra,Routine, 1. CleansingbreathfollowedbyAIUIM.Focusonfeelingthevibrationasmuch ashearingit. 2. Let sworkonthemidisectionofthebreath.checkitwithyourhandsonyour ribicage,movingoutlikeanaccordionwiththeinhalationandcompressing inwithexhalation. 3. Purna%usthra%asana,theextendedcamel,isdonecomingupfromtheheels, withhead,shouldersandhandsrelaxedback.thehandsarebroughttohold theheels,andwiththetorsoarchedupvigorousbreathingisdone,in throughthenoseandoutthroughthemouth.#23 4. Dharmikasana,thedevotionalpose,isdonebybendingforwardfroma kneelingpositionuntilyourheadtouchesthefloorinfrontofyourknees,

165 % foreheadistouchingknees,breathveryshallow.handstouchthefeet,and yourelaxintoitwhileyouimagineyourfavoritecoloratthatpointofyour headwhichtouchesthefloor.#18 5. Poorna%vajrasana,fullthunderbolt,isdonebysimplysittingbetweenthe heelsinsteadofonthemworkyouwaydownintothepositionbymoving sidetoside.#3 6. Paryankasana,thehealingpose,isdonefromtheaboveposturebygoing backanddownuntilyoucometorestyourbackflatonthefloor.onyour waydown,liftyourpelvisandtiltitbacksoastominimizethecurvaturein thelowerbackarea.handsarebroughtuptonamaskar,withthetwothumbi nailstouchingthethymusarea.breathedeeplyandfeeltheenergyflowing intoyourwiththeinibreathandcirculatingthroughyourarmsandintothe thymuswiththeoutibreath.imagineagreenglowingenergythere;feelit. #17 7. Trythetigresswiththetwovariations,exhalingtoeachsideandthen holdingthebreath.#34 8. Sasangasanaisupperbackstretchdonefromtheheroposebyclasping handsbehindthehead,bringingyourelbowstogetherandgoingforward downtothefloor.whenyourelbowstouchthefloor,walkinwiththem, pullingyourheadinuntilthetopofyourheadtouchesthefloor.feelthe stretchinyourupperback,neckandshoulderschangelegpositionsanddo again.#40 9. Vilomasana,thebridge,isdonefromlyingontheback;bringyourfeetup behindyourbuttockswithkneesupintheair.handsarebroughtupover andtuckedundertheshoulders;elbowsareupintheair.nowpickyourself upanddropyourheaddowntothefloor,therestonyourhead.thewhole torsoisupintheair,breathingisdeepandvigorous.ifyouarecomfortable withthisone,youcanlifeupintochakrasana.# Paschimotanasana,theforwardbend,isdonebybendingforwardfroma positionsittingflatonyourbuttockswithlegsoutfront.onevariationis donewiththebackcurledandtheheadbroughttotheknees.trythisone withsomesidemovementstoloosenup;nowdoitwithlegsapartsothat youcanbringyourheaddowntotouchthefloorbetweenyourkneesandthe noneachside.somebreathingisdonegoingsidetoside,butotherwiseitis deeplbreathecomingupandexhalegoingdown.finishbydoingthe straightibackversion,whereyourfacecomesdowntoyourshins.# Ardha%matsyendrasana,thespinaltwist,isdonebycrossingonelegover theotherknee,thentheoppositearmiscrossedoverthekneethatisupand thehandreachesfortheankle/footinawaythatusedthearmasaleverto

166 prytheshoulderforward.theotherarmgoesaroundbehindyourbackand thebreathisletout.breathingisquiteshallowinthispose,butstill,with eachexhalationyoucantwistalittlefurther.# Gomukasana,thecowIfacedposture,isdonebysittingononeheel;crossthe otherfootovertheleg,bringingthatfootbesidetheoppositebuttocks.one handsisbroughtovertheheadanddowntheback,sothattheelbowis pointingtothesky.theotherhandsisbroughtupthebackuntilthefingers canlatchontothoseofthefirsthand.headturnstolookuppasttheelbow. Thisloosensthearmsocketsandstretchesmusclesintheshoulder,aswell asopeninguptheribcage.thepostureshouldbedoneonbothsides. Breathingdeeplywhileholdingthispositionwillpullandstretchthearms andshouldersconsiderably.verygoodforliberatingenergyfromtight musclesintheareaofthefourthandfifthchakras.# Bhujangasana,thecobra.Payspecificattentiontoliftingthehead, shoulders,chestandthentorso theobjectisnottooveribendthelower backbutrathertoattainflexibilityandmovementthroughtheentirespine. TrythisinhalingupandexhalingwiththemidIsectionasyouturnandtwist yourbacktoeachside;yourupperbackandshouldersdotheturningand twisting,notjustyouhead,asyouturnaroundtolookatyourfeet.# Bhujangini%mudra,theserpentgesture,issimilartotheabove,exceptthat youhissoutthebreathonthewayup.makethesoundloudandgoupashigh aspossible,tillyouarelookingupattheskyorceiling.# Kukatasanatakesofffromthecobrabyliftingthelegsofftheflooratthe sametimeasthetorso.tryliftingwiththeinhalationandthenliftingwith theexhalation;seeifyoucanfeelwhatthedifferenceis.# Nava%kriya,therowboat,isdonebyplacingthehandsunderthethighsinthe boatpostureandrockingbackdowntothefloorontheexhalation;withthe inhalationcomebackuptoabalancedposeonthetailbone.requiresdelicate senseofmotionandbalance.# Halasana,theplow,isdonebycontinuingfromthedoubleleglift,tobring thelegsrightovertheheaduntilthetoestouchthefloorbeyondthehead. Breathingisveryshallowwhilethere.Asavariationyoucanaddmotion fromsidetosidewiththefeet.# Shavasana,thecorpseposture,isdonewithSavitri%pranayamafor10 minutesminimum,thenletgoofthebreathandfocusonfeelingthelight breathingimpulsesthatcomesbackautomatically.feelthecomfortthere,as lifetakescareofyou.

167

168 SYNOPSISofANAHATACHAKRA ELEMENT:Air YOGA:KarmaYoga GENDER:Feminine NAME:Anahata POWER:Repulsion MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:West YANTRA,SYMBOL:Twovioletinterlacedtrianglescircledbya12Isidedmandala. ENERGY,COLOR:Green SOUND:Yung(likeyoung) SENSE,PERCEPTION:Feeling ACTION:Genitals NERVE,PLEXUS:PulmonaryCardiac PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Thymus ORGANS:Lungs,Heart,Skin OTHER: CirculatorySystem PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, Analytical Sensitive Intuitive LovingDependable Practical Persevering NEGATIVE:, Discontented SelfIpitying Antagonistic Lookingforlove

169 Suspicious Lackingambition Overlymeticulous

170

171 ,,,

172 CHAPTER,5, VISHUDDHA,Chakra, Center-of-Great-Purity- Vishhudhachakrabringsusintotheseaofvibrations.Itsessenceisavast fieldofelectromagneticenergyinaconstantstateofvibrationatawide rangeoffrequencies. Atthephysiologicallevelthevibrationofthefifthchakraiswhatactivates ourmetabolism,raisingorloweringourmetabolicrateaccordingtothe speedofthatvibration.italsohasaninfluenceontheharmonyor disharmonywithincellgroupsinourbody.justasmusiccanbeharmonious ornoisecanbechaotic,thevibrationsofvishuddhadirectlyinfluenceand affectourinternalenvironment.fifthchakraenergyalsohasanoutward movingforcewhichexpandsinthesamewaythatsoundmovesoutinall directionsfromanysourceofvibration. Atthemolecularlevelthisharmonyexistsinthebondsandrelations betweenatomsthatmakeupourbeing.whenthatharmonyispresent,the atomsandmoleculesmovetogetherinacosmicdancethatcreatesthesolid materialworldweperceive.whendisharmonyprevailswehave disintegrationanddisease. UniversallythisvibrantforcepermeatestheinfinityofspacethroughlightI wavesandavastarrayofotherelectromagneticvibrationsthatwecannot perceivethroughournormalsenses.aswiththefourthchakraforce,thisone movesoutwardwithapressurethatkeepsthecosmosexpanding. PsychologicallytheenergyofVishhudhavibratesthroughoutourbraincells stimulatingathoughtprocessthatcanseeminglygoonforever.intellect comestolifewithunlimitednewideasfromtheuniversalmind. ELEMENT, WecomenowtotheelementofEther,anethericelementthatcouldbedescribedas electromagneticvibrationinmodernterminology.vishuddhaisenergyinits unboundstate,thefreeiflowing,vibrantpowerfillingthecosmos.intheperceived materialuniverse,thespaceinbetweenmaterialthingsisfilledwith electromagneticenergyintheformoflightandalargevarietyofotherfrequencies thatournormalworldlysensesdonotpickup.infactoursensesareseducedinto theillusionthatweareseeingandfeelingsolidreality,whichisin reality madeup

173 ofcompressedenergy.drawnintotheconceptofbeinginahumanbody,weadapt forsurvivalonthisplanet,otherwisewewouldperceiveittoomuchasadreamand wewouldnottakeitseriously. Thisfifthvortexismostdefinitelyenergyinmotion,constantlyvibratingand movingorradiatingoutformthecenter.electromagneticenergy,whencompressed, createsthesemblanceofmatter:aperceptionfromwhichtheelectromagneticwave

174 appearstobespinningarounditselfinanatomicstructure.unicompressed,this energyexpandsandmovesoutwardwithaconstantvibrantmotionthatfillsthe universe.considerforamomentthatwhenyoulookoutathestarsatnight,what youseeisthemillionsofelectromagneticwavesthatarecomingatyoufromthose stars.(visiblelightisonlyasmallpartofthespectrum).ourconnectiontothat energyisvishuddhachakra,andalthoughphysicallythatlinkatthethroatlevel,it extendswelloutbeyondthebody,makingitthelargestenergyfieldwehaveaccess to. Apinkovalisusedtorepresentthisenergyasitreflectstheactualformationofthe energypatternsintheuniverse,(sometimesacirclewithinacircle,officenteris used).abeamofenergythatisvibratingofficenterlookslikeanovalwhenyouseea crossisectionofit.whenyourinnervisionbecomesattunedtoseeingthis,therange ofyourvisionincreases,andyoumightbesurprisedtofindthatyou,also,seethe samethingasthosewhohavehadthisvisioninthepast somethinglikeapink oval.although,whenyouseeitintheinnerworlditmaybemovingorspinning. Thereisageometricdivisioninto16heregivingusanglesof22.5degrees,the anglesatwhichtheenergywavescomeinfromthestarstomanifestuniversal sound;notthesoundwehearwithourears.thesesoundscanbehearddirectly withtheinnerearifonesitsinaveryquietplaceandturnsoffthethinkingprocess (whichislouderthanthesounds).the16vowelsofthesanskritlanguagearean expressionofthisenergy,coincidingwiththe16knownquantaoftheelectron.the ancienttibetanandhinducultureshavedocumentedthem.ourinnerearcan developtheabilitytohearthesevibrationsjustasourouterearshavebeen developedtohearsounds,whicharewavesofcompressedaircomingthroughthe atmospherethatourmindslearntodistinguishandrecognizeassound. Theseelectromagneticwaves,whencompressed,createtheillusionofmatter.When thesewavescrossatcertainanglesandbecometrappedinaspinaroundeachother, anatomicstructureiscreated.or,asstatedinthetheoryofrelativity,whenweare travelingatthesamespeedastheelectromagneticwave,itappearstousasanatom. Whetheritisenergyormatterdependsonourvelocity,relativetothatwave.(We explorethismoredeeplyinlevel2). Asnuclearphysicsprobesdeeperintotherealmofelectromagneticvibrationand quantumenergies,itcomesclosertorealizingthateverythingismadeofvibrating energy.ancientknowledgeofthischakrastatesthatallismadeofenergy,andthe frequencyofthatenergyiswhatdeterminesjusthowitismanifestedinthematerial world.amongmodernidayphysicistsaremanywhoarelookingintothe plasma fields oftheuniverseandrealizingthattheseelectromagneticenergyfields,filled withchargedparticles,arethepredominantformofmatterintheuniverse.these energyfieldsmoveascurrentsandarepresentlythoughtofastheprimaryforce whichsculpted(andisstillsculpting)thecosmos.

175 Researchdoneduringthelastdecadesontheelectromagneticfieldsaroundthesun haveshownthatitperiodicallyemanatesburstsofradiation.becauseofitsgaseous statethesunhasseveralminormagneticfields,andtheirinteractionduringthe sun srotationcreatestheseoutiburststwelvetimeseachyear.ithasbeen establishedthatasthesewavesofelectromagneticradiationweeptheearth,they influencednaformationinthewombandhormoneproductioninthepinealgland. Thereisquiteastrongindicationthattheseradiationwavesaredirectlylinkedto theastrologicalsingsofthezodiac. Thesesignshavecomedowntousthroughmanyages.TheEgyptiansknewvery wellaboutthemonthlypulsations,andbeing sunworshippers theyoftenregarded thepulsetimesasfertilitycycles.wearejustbeginningtoreidiscovertheir knowledgeofelectromagneticsnow,aftermanycenturies.theyalsoknewitwas importantenoughtobuildtheiramazingtemplesandpyramidsinperfectalignment withthesesolarenergiesinordertocapturetheirfullpotential. Inotherinterestingresearchcarriedoutinjustthelastfewyears,the electromagneticfieldsaroundtheheartchakrahavebeenmeasuredouttoeight feet,aroundtheaverageindividual.oneoftheexperimentsperformedtookan individual sdnaandplaceditinatestinglabfiftymilesaway.thenthepersonwas putthroughemotionalexperiencesandthednaemanatedelectromagnetic responsesinstantaneously.thescientistshadtoconcludethatthereissome previouslyelectromagneticresponsesinstantaneously.thescientistshadto concludethatthereissomepreviouslyunknowncommunicationsystem somewherebehindtheveiloftheelectromagneticocean,anenergythatmoves fasterthanlight,allowingforinstantaneouscommunication somethingwhichis conscious,(orconsciousnessitself).thatconsciousnessiswoventhroughoutthe electromagneticspectrum.

176 Wecanseethatthefifthelementknownasetheroverthelastseveralcenturieshas nowbecomethegroundinwhichscienceisworking.asubstancethatwas consideredetheric,mysticalandintangible,andlookeduponwithsuperstition,has becomeourmodernreality. ENODCRINE,GLANDS, Thethyroidandparathyroidglandsarecontrolledbythisenergyvortex,andin turntheseglandscontrolthebody smetabolismaswellastheregulationofcalcium intheblood.thethyroidglandisoneendocrinegland,whichliesoutsideofthe bodycavity.itisasmallglandweightingabout1ounce(28grams)andislocatedin theneck,justbelowthelarynx.thisglandsecretestwohormones:thyroxineand calcitonin(thyrocalcitonin).thyroxineaffectsthegrowthrateandmetabolismofall ofthebody scells.itcontrolsreflexesandregulatestherateatwhichthebody producesenergyandtransformsfoodintobodycomponents.thishormonecauses cellstospeedupthereleaseofenergyfromfoodsasneededbystimulatingbasal metabolism.sinceallbodyfunctionsdependuponthenormalsupplyofenergy, normalthyroidsecretionisvitaltothebody.thyrocalcitoninhastheeffectof drawingcalciumoutofthebonesandintothebloodstream,whileparathormone shiftsittheotherway,workingtoutilizethecalciuminthebloodbyallowingitto entercellsandbecomepartofourbeing,inthebonesandinmusclesforinstance.in factourbonesactasthereservoirofcalciumwithinourbody,andthehormones controlwhatwedowithit. Thyroxinalsocontrolstemperaturebyregulatingthemetabolism.Metabolismisthe body sbasicrateofpowerandactivity,rightdowntothecellularlevel,soan increaseinrateisliketheacceleratorinacar:itdrivesyoufasterfromtheinside. Manifestationofthismightbethroughthebody surgetomoveanddosomething, orthroughthemind shyperactivethoughtsteam.occasionallyitraisesthebody temperaturetoaleveloffevertoburnoffexcessmaterialortoxicsubstances,or evenvirusesthathaveinvadethecells.atthementallevelthiscanincreasetherate ofthinkingtoheadspin,eventodelusionandhallucination,butitrarelygoesthat far.thevortexofthefifthchakrausuallykeepsthingsadjusted. HerewerunintoadiversionofconceptsbetweenWesternmedicineandthescience ofyoga.whereinthewestithasbeenthoughtforalongtimethattheglandular productioniswhatinfluencesbothbodyandmindactivity,yoga sperceptionof mindovermatterhaslongheldthatthemind sstateofbeingiswhatdeterminesthe body scondition.furthermore,itisknownthatheverbalfunctionofthemindis whatdeterminestherateofvibration,andthisvibrationatthedifferentenergy centersiswhatcontrolstheglandularproductionsateachoftheendocrineglands. InthemindIbodyrelationofthefifthchakra,thisenergyisknowntobeincontrolof thethyroid,andbyinfluencingthisonegland,thebody schemical(hormonal)

177 balancewillberestored.whenitisunderactive(vibratingtooslow),thewholebody maybesluggishorfeelcold,emotionally,therewillbenomotivation,zero inspiration.(possiblesolution:9powersunsalutationsdonethreetimesaday).ifit isoveractive(vibratingtoofast(,thebodywillburnfoodintoenergytoofast, resultinginawolfishappetite,poundingheart,highbloodpressure,tremors, sweatingandheatintolerance.(possiblesolutions:10minuteshouldstandswith fairlydeepbreathing).isn titbettertopracticealittleyogatokeepthingsin balance? Foranadeptinyogathesechangesinthyroidhormoneproductioncanbeinstigated throughchangingfrequenciesintheverbalthoughtprocess.(level2training.)for thebeginner,increasingmetabolismatthephysicallevel,withmotion,exerciseand breath,bringsaboutthesechanges.itrequireseffort,andmayrequirea breakthroughinthecaseofablockagetothefifthchakraenergyflow,butitisnot reallydifficult.theseblockagesmightmanifestasfeelingsoffatigueinthebody,and thoughtsofgivinguporamultitudeofdistractionsinthemindandresistance thoughtslike What sthepoint,i llneversucceedanyway.soinyoga,welearnto silencethemind,andtocreatepositivevibrantbodyfeelings.evenforbeginners, muchofthiscanbeachievedthroughsimplechantingoftheommantra. Ratherthangoingtoomuchfurtherintomicroscopicdetailsofthebody,letuscome backtothecentralissue:atthelevelofthemind,muchoftheprocessofthese glandsishighlyinfluencedbyvibrationsofenergyinthebrain.modernresearch (1990s)hasshownthatmanyoftheverynormalthinkinghabitsofpeoplearein factproducinghormonalitypechemicalsinthebrainallthetime;thesehavebeen calledneuroipeptides.thereseemtobemanyofthem,andtheygetaroundenough tobefoundinvarious,ifnotall,partsofthebody.someofthelatestobservations putforwardarethatsomekindofcommunicationisgoingonallthetimethrough chemicalinteractionsbetweenbodyandmind.neuroipeptidesarenotonlymadeby thebraincells,butcanalsobemadebythecellsinthebody.ithasalsobeenseen thattheseneuroprptides,communicatewiththecellsbyvibratingatfrequencies thatresonatewiththereceptorsonthecellstheyaretargeting.minditselfisnot influencedbythisvibratingenergyflow,itisthevibrantenergyflow.infact,itis controllableenergy.thoughmagneticinfluence(seechapter6),thevibrationsof theverbalthoughtprocesscanbesloweddown,accelerated,directed,amplifiesand silenced.butformostpeopleitjustramblesonoutofcontrol,aswesay, Oh,Iwas justthinking Themajorityofpeoplewhohavegonethroughtheeducational systemcan teventurnoffthisthinkingprocesswhentheywanttogotosleep.from theyogicperspectivethisislikedrivingacarnotrealizingyoucantakeyourfootoff thegaspedal. OTHER,PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS,

178 Thischakra senergyiscenteredinthethroatareaandgovernsthevoiceand eliminationfunctionsaswellasmetabolism.feelingtheessenceofthiselemental forceisgenerallynotaconsciousexperienceexceptwhenyoufeelyourownvoice vibrating.usuallywehearourvoicewithoutactuallyfeelingit.thatvibration spreadsoutwardinalldirectionswithaforcethatpropelssoundwavesat1,000 feetpersecond.insideus,theuseofinternalsoundcanacceleratethevibrationof energyimpulsesinthenervoussystemandtherebyincreasemetabolism throughoutthebody.italsoinfluenceseliminationinasimilarway,byamplifying theintensityofitsoutwardmovingforce.sometimeswecandirectlyfeelthepower ofthisenergywhentheneedtoeliminategetssostrongthatwevomit,forinstance. Theessenceofthisenergyactuallyfeelslikethaturge,butinamorepleasant context.inamorerelaxedstate,thisenergysimplykeepsthebodyfunctioningata normalmetabolicrateand,whilethisisgoingon,themindalsothinksatitsnormal rate. Thisverbalizationofthoughtmaybeveryrelaxesandconducivetopeaceofmind, ormaybeoveractiveinnonistopthinkingthatisneitherdirectednorcontrolled. Eitherwaythismentalactivityhasaprofoundinfluenceoneverythingthatisgoing oninthebody.inthepracticeofyogaonelearnstocontrolthevibrationandinsuch awaytakechargeofthemindandinfluencethebody.suchaprocesscanbeginas simplyaswhenyoucontrolyourvoice:youcanlowerthepitchorraiseit,gofrom loudtosoft,etc.voicetrainingorsinginglessonscanalsohelpwiththis.withinthe mindthesameprocedurecanbeapplied.ourthinkingisalsoaverbalfunction,just likespeaking,butwedon tletitallout.also,aswiththevoice,wecancontrolthese internalsounds(vibratingenergyinsidethebrain),changingthepitchorthe volume.wecanevenchoosewhattothinkaswhenwedoaffirmations,ratherthan lettingwordsandthoughtsbubbleupfromthesubconscious. JNANENDRIYA,and,KARMENDRIYA, Obviouslythesenseconnectedtoallthissoundisthatofhearing.Asthesounds reachourearstheypullusouttotheexternalworldtohearmuchofwhatisgoing onaroundus.inreactiontothiswetendtomakesoundsourselvesthroughthe voice.thisactionofspeaking(orsinging),wetakeispartofanotherneurological linkthatkeepsusbusyinthekarmicworld.inthehindusymbolismthisprocessis controlledbythewitchshakini,whoseinhibitingforcekeepsusinareactivecycleof listeningandtalkingwithoutevergoinginwardtothediscoveryoftheinternal sounds,thecosmicsymphony.infactlisteningandreallyhearingwhatothershave tosayisofteninhibitedbyourneedtorespondandspeakinourwesternculture. Aswiththeothersense,thereistheinternalversionofhearing thisonetakesus intoadirectperceptionoftheelectromagneticfrequenciesthatareeverywhere present.soundinglikeaninternalsymphony,ithasbeenplayingsincethebeginning oftime. InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwasGod.

179 CHARACTERISTICS, Apersoncenteredinthisenergywillhaveanactiveintellectandusuallybea progressivethinker,openmindedandalwaysinterestedinnewideas.he/shewill beaseekerofanewlife,veryfreedomilovingandfearless;travelandexploration arenaturalresultsofflowingwiththisenergy. Whentheenergyisstrongandbalanced: 1. Theindividualwillbeexpressiveandarticulate,truthful,witharichvoice. 2. Goodwithlanguages,adynamicspeaker;maymovetowardsleadership. 3. Maybeacademic,intelligent,andloveknowledge. 4. Singingandactingcomenaturally;mightbecreativewithsoundandmusic. 5. Inspirational,lovestoexplorenewideas,andintouchwithmanyofthem throughtheakashic-records.(thecosmiclibrary). 6. Drawntotravelandexplorationofnewplacesaswellasideas;nomadic. 7. Easilyadaptableaswellasversatile. 8. Boldandevenfearless. 9. Easilydevelopstechnologicalskills. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. Theindividualmaytendtoexcessivetalking,anditcouldbeloud. 2. Notverygoodlisteningskills,andconsequentlythetendencytobe argumentative. 3. Maynotbetruthful,sotheneedtotalkleadstofabrication. 4. Theneedforrecognition,ortobeheard;leadstobeinganoverIachiever. 5. TendencytononIstopthinking;maybescatteredwithtoomanyideasand haveahardtimefocusing. 6. Alwaysonthemove,mighthaveaproblembeingstill. 7. Caneasilybecomeimpulsive,indulgent,chaotic. Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: 1. Voiceandexpressionmightbeblocked,weakortimid. 2. Problemsincommunication,lackingincreativeexpressioneveninwriting. 3. LackofselfIconfidence,noleadership;fearofspeakinginpublic.

180 4. Resistancetochange,travelorexploringnewideas;likestostickwithwhat isknownandtraditional. 5. Immoderatetothepointofbeingamisfit. 6. Unforgivingwheninconflictwithothers. 7. Difficultieswithtechnology,evenphobias. MENTAL,DIRECTION, ThedirectionofVishuddhaenergyisnorth.Byfacingnorththereisanalignmentof theearth smagneticfieldswiththevortexwithinourbodies,resultinginthe empowermentofthischakra.mentallyitcanbeexperiencedastheintellect,that aspectofmindwhichislinear,logicalandverbal.hereyouwillfindacontinual processofputtingconceptsintowords;whenleftonautopilotthisprocesscan rambleonintoinfinity,reiarrangingwordsintosentenceaftersentencewhile consciousnesslooksoninhypnoticamazement.inyogicdevelopmenttheenergyof thiscenteristakenunderthedirectionofconsciousnesssothatthepowerofverbal thoughtbecomesaffirmativethinking.mantra,theconstructiveuseofsound formulas,isusedtotuneintothefrequenciesofeachofthechakras,evenresetting thosefrequenciestotheproperrateofvibration.quiteliterally,thisisawayof doingatuneiup.fromthereyoucanutilizethepowerofsoundtoopendoorwaysto theworldwithin.infact,therightsoundformulasarelikekeystothosedoors,and thoseenergyvortexeswecallchakrasaredoorways. Atthemindlevel,thischakraisthedoorwaytothehighermind.Cosmicmind,the intelligenceoftheuniverse,canbeaccessedthroughproperuseofthisenergy. Workingwithsoundandvibration,bothinsidethemindandvocally,canfocusand directtheforceinwaysthataremuchtoouradvantage.theformofyogadealing specificallywiththisismantrayoga;whileitisharnessingthepowerofthefifth element,itworkswithacombinationofsoundandmusicforelatingconsciousness totheseventhlevel,(orseventhheaven).inmoreadvancedpracticeofrajayoga theuseofthevoicewithcertainspecificsoundsatjusttherightfrequencyisapplied toconductenergyalongcertainlinesthataretoourbenefitandadvantage, hopefullyfortheevolutionofourconsciousness.(wedelvehereintotherealmof magic,whichhasnotalwaysbeenusedinabenevolentmanner).thisiscombined withvisualizationtechniquestoachieveresultsbothinthebodyandoutinthe world.intheinnerworldofone sownmindandbodyitreiadjustsournerve circuitsbyreichannelingtheenergypathways,andbysodoing,runningup everythingthatisconnectedtothenervoussystem.(thatmeansprettymuch everything).intheouterworldithastodowithexpressionandcommunications; justasmoderntechnologyhastakenholdofelectromagneticsandcreatedaworld oftelecommunications,ancientcultureshadtakenholdofthementalaspectofthose sameelectromagneticwaves,andguidedthecommunicationandvisionsoftheir nations.theegyptiansweresomeofthemostadeptitheuseofsoundinthisway,

181 andidquitewellwiththeirempireforthreethousandyearsthatweknowof.ofthe timebeforethatwejustdon tknow. Whetheritisthroughthepowerofthemindthatwecontroltheseenergywaves,or throughtheuseoftechnologicaltoolsthatwemanipulateit,theessentialtruth remainsthatitisbythecontrolofthisenergythatwecanalter,orevendirect, reality. Theelectromagneticoceanhasavastspectrum,andwithinitstotalityiscodedall theknowledgeoftheuniverse.thisrealmiscalled,insanskrit,akasha;the informationimprintedthereisknownastheakashic-record.likeauniversallibrary wherepast,presentandfuturearelaidout,theserecordshavebeenaccessedand writtenaboutforthousandsofyearsbyprophets,seersandpsychics;infact,itis saidthatweallhaveaccesstotheminourdreams.ifwecouldonlyseethingsmore clearly,wemightalsoknowthefuture.inthiseraoftimewecanmoreeasily understandhowinformationcanbekeptinvariouswavelengths,sincewearenow usingthesesameweavesforcommunication,throughtelecommunication, television,etc.ifwecantuneintoknowledgenetworkontvandhaveinformation comingatus24hoursaday,thenitisnotsofarifetchedtothinkofthehumanbrain

182 asatelevisionorradioreceiverthatiscapableoftuningintomanydifferent stations.inregardstotime,whenwearewatchingavideo,forexample,weknow thattheendofthestoryisalreadyrecordedonthetape,yetwedon tseeittillthe end.thestoryisrecordedwithelectromagneticvibrations,justlikerecordedmusic. Soitiswithhistoryand,toalargedegree,thefuture,exceptthatwemayhavesome editingpowerswithwhatiscoming.itismoredifficulttoeditthepast. Thisenergy/directionwillstimulateawealthofknowledgeaboutlifeandthe universe awholerealmofknowledgethatisquiterealifkeptinbalancewiththe otherdirections.itislikeaninformationnetwork.ideasmaycomebythe thousands,andalotofthemmaybegreatideas.insomewaysthefifthchakraislike arealmofunlimitedpossibilities.manygoodinventions,especiallyinthefieldof electronicsthesedays,comefrominsightsabouthowthisenergyworks.however, thesesideasarenotalwaysconnectedinawaythatleadstowisdom;itrequires somefocustoharnessthepowerofthisdirectiontoouradvantage.someofthe greatestinventionsmightbereallybadideasiiinuclearweaponsforexample. Cultivatingalittlewisdomaboutthepurposeoflife,andkarma,isrecommended beforechargingtoodeeplyintothecreativeworldoflimitlessideas.alsobeaware thatwithoutsomeformofconcentrationandgrounding,thisenergyanddirection generallyleadtoalotofdreamingandtalkingaboutwhatcouldbe,orwhatcould havebeen. Thethirstforknowledgeisstimulatedbythisenergy,athirstwhichoftenleadsone towardsphilosophy.knowledgeaboutthemindcanbethegreatestthirstquencher. Northisthedirectionweneedtogotofindthewell.Withinthespectrumof electromagneticvibrationissaidtobethefullrangeofcosmicthought,whilethe informationcanbeexpressedattheearthlevelthroughthehumanvoice.thereare eightnerveimpulsesusedtocontrolspeechoriginatingfromthiscenter,according todr.swamigitananda.physiologicallythecerebralnervescomedownasfarasthe throat.thoughthereisnotagreatdealofneurologicalconnectionformthese cerebralnervesdowntothelowerregionsofthebody,thereisalotfromthelevelof mindibraintothefifthchakra,makingitanimportantbridgebetweenmindand matter.anothersignificantbridge,(orperhapsitismoreofaferry),isthewhole neuroipeptidephenomenon thatrecentdiscoveryaboutthethinkingprocessin ourheadsbeingamajordirectingfactorintheproductionofthesebrainchemicals, andthefloatingofthesedownintothebodythroughtheriversofbloodandlymph todirectbodyprocessesattheglandularandcellularlevel.thisnewfound confirmationofthechemicallinkbetweenbrainandbodyisanessential clarificationoftheknowledgeofmindovermatter. Thereisalsoalotofpsychicpowerassociatedwiththedevelopmentofthisarea throughhumanvoiceandtheverbalprocess,thoughingeneralthispoweris dissipatedthroughidletalk,thehabitofmoderncivilization.theegyptian chroniclesstatethatwiththerightsoundformulaattherightfrequency,anything canbeattained.theyknewthatbyharnessingtheverbalpowerofthemind,asin theirpracticeofaffirmativethinking,mentalenergycouldbefocusedanddirected

183 likethearchercandirectanarrow.weknowvirtuallynothingofthesound technologytheyusedtodirectthisvibratorypoweroutotthematerialworld,yet wecanstillseethattheyaccomplishedamazingthings,andweknownothow.back inthe old world,wealsofindthestoryofthebattleofjericho,wherethewallsof thecitycamedownafter7soundsofthetrumpets.itmakesonewonderjustwhat kindoftrumpetstheyused.intheindiananthologyofancientwarstheytellofflying chariotsandtheuseof thunderbolts todestroyenemies,(soundsagain). IntheHinduversionofthischakra,awhiteelephantrepresentitsenergy.InIndiaa whiteelephantissacred,neverusedforworkingintheworldandusuallyendingup inatemple.thehindusalsoviewthepowerofthevoiceassomethingsacred,notto beusedfortalkingaboutthingsoftheworld,butratherforthepurposeofmantra anddirectingenergy.associatedwiththevoiceoftruth,itshouldneverbeused negatively;asatoolofthespirititcancreatekarmaquiteeasily.justhowmuchwe actuallycreatewithourmentalandvocalsoundswouldastonishmostpeople. Therearealargenumberofpeoplewhoarecreatingnegativekarmawithgossip, judgmentsandresentfulthoughtsandwords.thisisalongwayfromthetrueman ofthemayansandtheaffirmativethinkingoftheegyptians whenbenevolent thoughtswereprojectedouttocreateharmonyforalltheirrelations,indeed,forthe wholekingdom. InthefirstfewversesofPatanjali syogasutras,patanjalistatesthatthemindneeds tobebroughttoastandstill,andsubsequentlydescribeshowitusuallykeepsus entertained.thefirstactionthemindtakesisthatofjudgment.thismentalfaculty evaluatesallourexperiencesastowhethertheyaregoodorbad,pleasantor unpleasant,joyfulorpainful.suchevaluationsareappliedinacircumstancesand situations;evenwhenwearenotconsciousofthemtheycontinueatasubconscious level.beyondthisjudgmentalfacultytherearefivefunctionsofthemindthatare activeandongoing.theseare:(1)rightknowledge,(2)wrongknowledge,(3)fancy, (4)sleep,and(5)memory.Eachoftheseiscapableofkeepingusdistractedfroma trulyenlightenedperceptionoflife.theyareregardedasmodificationsofthemind, tangledupwithanalysisandcomparison;theyleadustothinkaboutour experiencessothatourawarenessistrappedinthoughtratherthantheexperience itself.justasayoungchildisinaweaboutthebeautyandblissoflife,soshouldour consciousnessremainatthelevelofclearperception,ofthemoment Hereand Now thepresentinsteadofthepastandfuture.however,asadultswehave learnedtoomuchaboutanalyticalthinkingtothepointofbeingenslavedinthat process.learningtofreeourselvesfromtheminditrapleadsustoliberation,the goalofyoga. Fromournormalperspectivewemightconsiderthefirstofthesefunctionsofthe mind(rightknowledge)tobeuseful.wemighthavealotofusefulinformation storedinourbrains,andwevaluethat.muchofthatmayhavecomeinthroughthe senseandbecomepartofourreallifeexperience.itmaybeourwayofknowingthe worldandouryearsoflivingaddknowledgeandwisdomtothat.however,inthe yogicview,beinghypnoticallygrippedbythatknowledgekeepsourconscious

184 awarenessawayfromthebeautyofthemoment thedirectperceptionofthe here andnow. Whatweseeisinfactourmentalinterpretationofwhatisthere.Itmay beaccurateandmaybenot,eitherwayourmindpaintsthepictureinwhichour consciousnessistrapped.itisinthiscagethatmosteducatedpeoplelive.forthose withlessactual knowledge theremightbealargerportionofwrongknowledge, mistakenfactsanddelusionsaboutlife.themistakeninformationcannotonly createasimilarcage,butalsocausealotofseriouserrorstobemadeinlife,leading tokarmicentanglementsthatmaykeepthembusyforlifetimes,tryingtomake amends. ThethirdcategoryofmindIstuff, fancy, referstoourincredibleimagination.asour greatestcreativefaculty,thisonecantakeourbreathawayasweimagineourselves inthemostbeautifulscenarioshavingallourdesiredfulfilled.moderntechnology hasamplifiedthistonoend,inthatnowwecanspendmostofalifetimeinfrontofa TVwatchingeveryoneelse sfantasies.(notehowdeeplyyoubreathewhile watchingagreatvideo.) Thefourthmentalcategorywefindourselvesinissleep.AlthoughthedreamIstate issimilartothatoffantasy,thereisadeeperlevelwherewedonotseemtobe consciousofanythingatall.wespendafairamountoftimeinthatstate,and althoughwecertainlyneedtorestfromtheturmoilandconstantactivityofthe mind,ourawarenessdoesnotneedtoloseconsciousness.whenbuddhawasasked byaclosediscipleifheslept,heanswered, MybodysleepsbutIremainaware. He wasnolongerdistractedbythemodificationsofthemind.infacthisstateof awarenesswasoneinwhichthemindhadcometoastandstill. Thelastcategoryofmentalstuffweneedtodealwithisthatofmemory.Hereis whereoureducatedwesternmindcangetlostinthemaze.inourschoolsystemwe weresofocusedonrememberingsomanythingsthatwecanremaininthat compartmentformoretimethanwehaveinoneincarnation.thereisnoshortage ofeventsandfactsandhistorytothinkabout.aswegrowolderwespendmoreand moretimerememberingandtalkingaboutthethingswehavedone.itiskindoflike beingtrappedinalibraryofbooksandvideos noneofitispresentlyhappening, andsowearenolongerpresent. Comingtoanunderstandingofthesementalphenomenacanmakeusrealizethat wearemissingthepointofexperiencinglifeasitisunfoldingbeforeus.thebeauty andblissofaninfantdiscoveringandexperimentingwithlifebecomesmore appealingaswerealizewhatwehavelostinour growingup. Yogacanthenbe appliedtorejuvenateourperception. SATTVA,GUNA,

185 Sattvagunaisthirdofthethreeforcesresponsibleforunfoldingoftheuniverse.We findherethepowerofhigherthought,asanenergythatkeepsongoingandgoing. Thislevelofthoughtisdistinctandbeyondthesensualreactivethoughtswhich keepusfunctioningattheworldlylevel,(iamhungry).itisratheramuchmore philosophicalrealmofideationthatresidesinsat,truth,trueknowledgeaboutthe universe.becauseitisconnectedtotrueknowledge,itcanleadtospiritualrealms andenlightenment.but,itcanalsoleadtomanyotherthings.althoughwemightnot generallythinkofitasaforce,itisthecreativepowerbehindlife,asitisthe inspirationbehindallofthemoderndayinventionsandtechnology.being connectedtotheelectromagneticspectrumflowingthroughtheuniverse,ourminds fallintothispatternofanongoingthoughtstream.itseemstobeinfinite.we quicklybecomeaddictedtoheideaworld,therealmofallpossibilitiesfromwhich theseedsforthismaterialrealityaresprouted.movedbytheonigoingenergyofthe fifthchakra,thisonebecomesanobstaclethroughathinkingprocessthatsimply willnotstoponitsown.itneedstothedirectedbyadecisiveandaffirmative consciousness.rajayogaisaboutdirectingthewholemindprocess. Apurelymentalforceinitsessence(electromagnetic),itneverthelesshastheability tokeepusinourdreamworld,sometimesinspiringthecreationofgreatthingsin thisworld.thethoughtpowermanifestedthroughthisforcekeepspeopleiontheir heads,makingthemnotonlydreamers,butalsophilosophersandpoets;they becomethethinkerswhocansee,planandleadcivilizationontohigherrealmsand amoreculturedwayoflife,sometimesinaveryspiritualway.whenbalancedwith theotherforceditcanmanifestgreatthings;whengroundeditcancreatetheworld wehavetoday. SHIVA,GRUNTHI, Hereisthethirdmainbarriertoourawakeningofpower.Itissimilartothesecond (Vishnugrunthi)inthatitismadeupofalotofpatternsofbehavior;however,in thiscaseitisaboutmentalbehavior ourthinkingprocess.thesanskritword grunthimeansaknot,referringtoonethathasbecometangledupandisdifficultto undo.withintheneuralnetworkofourbrains,thishastodowithenergycircuits thatmakeupourthoughtsandbeliefsystems.whenenergymovesthroughthese braincellsitwillautomaticallyfollowthepathwaysthathavealreadybeen established,justaselectricitymovesalongasetofwires.thisnaturallystimulates thesamethoughtpatternsthatoriginallysetupthesepathways.it skindoflike playingthesameoldtapes:everytimeyouplaythetape,itwillcomeoutthesame. ReIrecordingthetaperequiresmuchmoreenergythanjustplayingit. Thenextrelatedaspecttoconsideristheconnectionformthemindtothevoice;the latterbeinganexpressionoftheformer.wealwaysthinkandspeakinthesame language,andhowoftendowerepeatthesamephrasesinthesamemanner? Habitualthoughtpatternscodedinverbaldialoguearethewaysinwhichour

186 energygetsloopedandtangled.mantraisaprimemethodofunitanglingandrei programmingourselvesatthismentallevelbyusingtheminditself. Oneofthemorephysicaltechniquesusedtohelpuntanglethisknotiscalled Jalandhara,Bandha.Aswithmula-bandhaandudhyana-bandha,thistechniqueuses acertainlcokingmethodtoclosethethroat.physicallyitisappliedbyjuttingthe headandchinforwardandthenbendingthenecksoastobringthechindownto thechest.thepositionoftheheadandneckwilltendtorestrictthethroat.the techniqueisusedduringbreathretentionstohelplockintheair.oneofthemore subtleaspectsofthemoveistocloseoffthewindpipeandlockitclosedsothatno aircanescape.theepiglottisislikeasmalltrapdoorthatactuallyclosesthetopof thewindpipe.onceclosed,itcanbelockedshit,whiletheneckpositionhelpsto keepitlocked.duringadvancedbreathretentionstheimpulsetotakethenext breathcanbequitestrong.keepingthelocksinplacerequiresaffairamountsof effort.jalandharabandhaisusefulatthistimetohelpkeeptheairlockedin.when practicingitbeawareofthatinternallockwiththeepiglottis,itismuchmore importantthantheexternalmovementoftheheadandneck.alsonotethatthe mindneedstokeepfocusedinordertonotletgoofsomeofthebreath. YAMA/NIYAMA, YAMA:,Satya(truth) Satyaisturhtfulnesstothepointofnotsayinganythingwhichyouarenotcertainis true.onemustnotbeuntruthfulinthoughtorspeech.theimplicationhereisthat oneshouldbeawareofwhatliesarebenigtoldintheinternaldialogue(theverbal thinkingprocess)andwhichofthosearebeingpassedontootherpeopleinthe outerworld.truthmeanssomethingofwhichwearecertain,sotospeakonlythe truthonewouldhavetoeliminatemanyideaswhichmayonlybesuspectedor theoretical,orifthesearestatedtheyshouldbelabeledassuch: Ithinkmaybe. Fromtheperspectiveofkarma,givingsomeoneinformationwhichisknowntobe falseorwhichweareunsureof,willresultinthesamethingbeingdonetoyou.this cancauseconfusionandwasteoftime,bothofwhichshouldbeavoidedwhen walkingthespiritualpathofyoga.ifyouareonthisyogicspiritualpath,consider thattalkingwithoutaspiritualpurposemightdissipatetheenergyofthefifth chakra.ifontheotherhanditissocialconversationyoucouldseeitassharingwith othersandmaintainacompassionateattitude. Withinourownmindsweneedtobecomeawareofhowwesometimesshiftfactsto organizeatruthandhidetheopposition,aprocesswhichgoesoncontinuallyasa kindofselectivememoryfunctioningatthesubconsciouslevel.thefactswhichdo notcorrespondwithwhatwepresentlywanttobelieveareshuntedintothebackof themind(subconscious);egowillsortoutandassimilatethefactsyouneedto

187 proveyourownpointofview,sothatwemayfirmlybelievewhateverwelike.one shouldbewillingtolookatallthefacts,evenifthisentailschangingone sopinion andadmittingtohavingbeenwrong.bycontinuallyreadjustingone sfundamental beliefssoastoabsorbandcomprehendanynewobservationsandeven contradictions,one sconceptofthetruthcangrowanddevelopintosomething consistentandcomplete.topracticesatyayoumustbewillingtofacethe inconsistenciesofthesenseandbealerttohowthelikesanddislikesofsensual enjoymentscolorourconceptsoflife.>>so,beawareofyourmentalprejudices. NIYAMA:,Atman,Pranidhana(listeningtointuition) OnemustalwaysmakeastrongefforttolistentotheintuitionalvoiceoftheGuru within.thewordintuitionreallymeansinnerteachings,andthatiswhatthis conceptisabout.itistheinnervoicewecallconsciencewhichtellsuswhenweare doingsomethingwrongandnudgesusintherightdirectionifweletit.ifwepay attentiontothisvoiceandeliminatethenegativeactionsfromourbehavior,then thisinnerconsciencebeginstodevelopintoabetterguide,advisingrightactionin allactivities.allyoureallyneedtodoiswhatyouknowtoberight.thenitbecomes possibletohelpothersinthewaysyoufeeltoberight.thisstrengthenstheinner voiceoftruthandallowsthevoicetoflowoutwardsintoyouractions.themoreyou listentowhatthisguidetellsyou,themorewillberevealed.theremaybeouter teachersandadvisers,orevenobservanceofreligiousrites,faithfulnessand affectionatedutiestoaspiritualmaster,butallthisismerelyasymboliccallingto awakentherealguruwithin.onemusttapthisinnerfountainofbeauty,wisdom andbliss,andallowittoflowoutwardtoothers. However,thereisatransitionthatonemustbeawareof.Atfirstconsciencewill producefeelingsofguildorshameifyouhaveactedunwisely;thenyoubeginto knowbeforeyouactwhatisrightactionandwhatiswrongaction,andyoumust applythisknowledgeatthetimetitcomestoyou.youareapproachingtherealmof instantkarma,thecenterof hereandnow. Ifyoudonotpracticewhatyouare intuitivelytaught,youwillremainblindtohowcloseyouaretothatmore enlightenedstate.youmaylearnmoreandmoreabouthowyoushouldbeliving andyetalwaysplantostartlivingittomorrow.asthisknowledgeaccumulatesin yourmind,unpracticed,youwillbegintofeeloverwhelmed.consequently,tolet thesethingsoffyourmindyoumuststartpracticingthem,orelseallowyourselfto becomedividedintotherealyouandthetheoreticalyou.practicewhatyourmind preaches. RAJA,YOGA, ThisformisknownastheRoyal(Raj)road.Whatwefindonthispatharethe methodsofworkingwiththemindinawaythatappliestheageoldaxiom, Mind,

188 over,matter.generallythe5 th chakraenergystimulatestheintellect,andthe verbalthinkingfunction;withrajayogathisfunctionischanneledintomantraand theprocessofaffirmativethinking.athesametime,thevisualprocess(fromthe thirdeye),isengagedtoformulateandimaginethegeometricformsofthechakras, orotherappropriatevision.inthismannersoundandlightareusedtocreate specificresponseswithinourmindandenergyfield therebytriggeringthe unfoldingofthechakras. Similarmethodsareusedtoinstigatehealingwhereitneedstobeturnedon,either inourselvesorinothers.inasense,itisthecreativeuseofimaginationtomanifest whatisiswewouldlikeinthematerialworld.whenourforcesareharmonizedand unifiedthroughsomeofthepreparationswegothroughintheotherformsofyoga, thisrajayogamethodbecomesoneofourmainmethodsofoperation.magnetic forcesofthe6 th chakraareusedtodirecttheelectromagneticenergiesofthefifth element,andtoachievereimoldingoftheotherfourelements. Obviouslythisisnotbeginnersyoga;themindseriouslyneedstobepurgedofits negativitybeforeharnessingandengagingthesepowers.thiscouldincludeallthe diseaseoraccidentideaswehaveheardaboutorremember.ifnot,ourown negativeexpectationscaneasilyjumpupinfrontofusandconsumeourlives.check carefullywithsuchtechniquesasswadhiyaya,andlookintothekarmayogasection. Forthepurposesofthiscourseweusesimplevisualtechniquesthatemployboth innerandoutervision,usingthelattertodeveloptheformer.althoughthisutilizes thefocusedattentionofthethirdeye,(sixthchakra),itisamajorpartoftheraja Yoga,inthatitchangesthefrequencyoftheelectromagneticelementanddirectsit carefullyalongaspecifiedpath.otherwisethisenergyispronetovibrateinexcess leadingtoconstantchatteringoftheverbalprocessandnonistopthinking.thatis thenatureoftheenergy.thegoalisalsotofeeltheenergy,atallofitsvarious frequencies.eachcolorandforminstigatesaspecificfeeling;theyarelikevarious typesofblissinasense,eachoneprovidinguswithvibrantemotionalexperience. Theseexperiencesareclosertotheessenceofthechakras levelsofvibratingbliss. Asyoumayhavenotedbynow,eachformofyogaconnectedtoitschakrausesthe powerofthechakraaboveitselftotranscenditsownnature.forinstance Pranayamayogafordevelopingthethirdchakra.Developmentinachievedthrough transcendingortransmutingtheenergyofeachchakra,raisingittoahigherspeed ofvibration. Visual,Technique:, ThevisualtechniquesweemployinLevel1TeacherTrainingbeginwith concentratedfocusonanexternalgeometricform,withunwaveringeyes,fora

189 periodoftwentyseconds.thisisfollowedbyclosingtheeyesandobservingthe afterimagewhichcomesontheinside.whatyouseetheinnerimagewithisthe innereye,orthirdeye;itisthesameoneyoudreamwiththeimaginewith.the imagesseenarethencombinedwithafocusedverbalsoundinthemind,whichcan alsobevocalizedattimes,andthesecanbeunifiedwiththefeelingoftheenergy whirlingaroundthespine.thebeginningissimple,justtoseetheimageonthe inside,andtrytoobserveitwithoutholdingontoit.relaxedobservationisthekey. Thismethodisappliedtoeachofthechakras,andastheinnervisiondevelopsand becomesclear,itcanbeusedeffectivelyinavarietyofvisualizingtechniques. Raja%Yogaproceedswithsuchtechniques,developingthemintoawiderangeof powerfulmindtoolsthatareusedinhealing,evolutionarypractices,and manifesting.astheabilitytoworkwithsoundandvisualtoolsincreases,life becomesmoreeasilydirectedthroughthemind,however,itisveryimportantinthe beginningtotakethetimerequiredtopurifythemindofallitsnegativethoughts andpossibilities.otherwiseitcouldwebethemostnegativeexpectationsthatare manifested.forlevel1itisadvisedtoworkwithsomeofthepreliminary techniquesandobservecarefullywhatcomesupinthemind.thesimplemethodsin thiscourse,andthemantrasthatfollowareforthispurpose. MANTRA% Workingwiththevoiceisofcourseoneaspectofdirectingtheenergyofthischakra, orcouldwesayreidirecting.thefollowingisaseriesofmantras,soundsformulas, thatareknowntohaveastronginfluenceonthewaywethinkandfeel.the Mantra,Laya isdesignedtogowiththevisualizationofenergyspiralsaroundthe spine,andpracticingitinsuchawaycreatesavortexthatmovesenergyupthrough thebodyandmind clearingconsciousnessofitscontent.thisshouldbepracticed inthelateevening,andfollowedwithsilenceandmediation. MANTRALAYA 1 (V)WUNGSHUNGSHANGSUNG 2 BUNGBIHUNGMUNGYUNGRUNGLUNG 3 DUNGDIHUNGNUNGTUNGTIHUNG

190 DANGDIHANGNANGPUNGPIHUNG 4 KUNGKIHUNGGUNGGIHUNGNANG CHUNGCHIHUNGJUNGJIHUNGNUNG TANGTIHANG 5 ANGAANGENGING UNGOONGRHINGRHEENG LINGLEENGENGAINGONGAUNG NGH. 6 HUNGKSHUNG Vocal,WarmVup,Exercises, IShoulderRolls:Inhalingwhileraisingtheshouldersupwardsandback,expanding thechest,4 th chakraarea,liftingthesternum.exhale,relaxingtheshoulders forward.(optionaltoexhalewiththesound ah shoulderrollsandothervocal warmiupscanbedoneinstandingpositionorsittingvajrasanaposition)repeat severaltimes. IShoulderDrops:Inhale,raisingtheshouldersuptowardstheears tensing/ scrunchingtheshouldershere thenexhale,droppingtheshouldersquickly.repeat severaltimes.(optionaltoexhaleusingthesound ha:) INeckExercises: IInhaledroppingheadandneckbackwardsandexhaledroppingthe head/chinforwardanddowntowardsthechest ISideStretchesontheneck:inhaleinfacefront,neutralposition thenexhalebendingsideofneck,lefteartowardstheshoulder, feelingthesidestretchononesideandcompressionontheotherof theneck.repeatonrightside.

191 INeckTwists:inhale..facefront,neutralposition..exhaletwisting thenecktotheleft inhalefacingfront exhaletwistingtotheright. Repeat. IHeadRolls:Inhaleturningtheheadtotherighttowardstherightshoulder exhale droppingthehead,(chindown)androllingitacrossthefrontofthechestoverand uptowardstheleftshoulder inhale thenexhaleonceagainrollingtheheaddown acrossthefrontofthechestandover/uptotherightshoulder inhale.repeat severaltimes. ISternumLift:Instandingposition inhalewhileopeningthearmsoutandbringing thehandstogetherinnamasteabouthead exhalewhileopeninghandsout, movingthearmsdowntothesidesofthetorso/thighs (optionaltomakethevowel sounds ah whileexhaling startingwithlowpitches,thenmovinguptohigher pitches)repeat. IFace&JawRelease: IMassagingthefaceandjaw. IWhilerelaxingthejawanddroppingitopen,movethebottom teethbackandforthquicklymakingthesound ah IRelaxingthejawandshakingtheheadbackandforthrapidly, makingthe ah sound VocalWarmIupExercisescont d.. INeckandHeadRoll:sittingonyourheels,withforeheadplacedonthefloorinfront ofthekneesandelbows/handsplacedontheflooroutsidetheears inhaleinthis beginningpositionthenexhalerollingupontoorbeyondthecrownofthe head stretchingthebackoftheneck inhaleonthewaybackdowntostarting positionthenexhalerollingupontocrownagain.repeat. ITongueExercise: IStretchingthetongueoutsidethemouthanddownoutsidethechin helpingtotirethislargemusclesothatitdoesnotdropbackinthe throatdistortingyourvocalsounds IRelaxingthetipoftonguebehindthebackoftheteethespeciallyon thehigherpitches

192 IDiaphragm&MuscularExercises: IInhalingintoabdominalandlowermidIsectionofthelungsthen slowlyhissingthe Ss soundasyouexhale connectingwiththe obliquemuscleswhichareattachedtothebottomribs supporting thebreathingexercisewiththesemusclesaswellasthediaphragm muscle IChantingthe1IOM,2IOM,3IOMetc. onaslowextended exhalation IVoweltoningonlong,slow,extendedbreaths IPracticing cordsandexercisingthediaphragmmuscle. IPracticeMouthBreathing: IInhalingandexhalingquicklythroughthemouth movingabdomenoutontheini breathandinwardontheoutibreath IPracticequickbreathsbymakingasoundwithdifferentvowel sounds,forexamplewiththevowel ah singshortsounds(.5 sec.)thenbreatheie:sing ah..breath ah..breathe ah..breathe.. ah..breatheandcontinuemovingtheabdomenoutontheini breathandinontheoutibreathmakingthevowelsound ah with quickshortmouthbreaths HathaYogaPosturesforVocalWarmIup: RapidTwists No.98 WarriorChestExpansion No.95 StandingMahaMudra No.114 SunIFlowerwith ah sound No.96 SuptaVajrasanaw/ humming No.15 Vyaghra:Tiger No.33 UshthraAsana No.23 Matsyasana:theFish No.32 VyaghraKriya1 No.35 Bhujanginimudra;cobra No.48 Simhasana:theLion No.69 ArdhaMatsyendrasana No.85 Dhanurasana:theBow No.88 ViparitaKarani:invertedpose No.129 Halasana:thePlough No.127

193 Musical,Scales,and,Voice,Exercises:,, Westernmusicalscale: DoReMiFaSoLaTiDo Musicalnotationnumbers: (8) Indianmusicalscale: SaReGaMaPaDhaNiSa(Svaras) ThesyllablesoftheIndianMusicalScalearecalledthe SevenSvaras svaraisthe Indiantermmeaningtone thatwhichvibrates andthesevensvarasinindian musicarealsoreferredtoasthe SevenGoddesses.witheachsyllablecontaining thevibrationtoinvoke SacredDivineEnergy TheIndianmusicalscaleinmelodysoundsthesameastheWesternmusicalscale butthetextureandtimbreofthetonesintheindianmusicisdifferent(ofcourse moreasian)thanthetextureandtimbreofthewesternmusic Voice,Exercises:,, ThreeVtone,exercise,to,practice,the,svara,names,(syllables),of,the,Indian,Raga, Scale:, SaReGa SaNiDha ReGaMa NiDhaPa GaMaPa DhaPaMa MaPaDha PaMaGa PaDhaNi MaGaRe DhaNiSa GaReSa Other,Indian,Musical,Scale,Patterns:, SaReGaReSa SaReGaReGaReSa SaGaReMaGaOaMaReSa

194 SaGaReMaGaPaNiSa PaDhaPaDhaNiSa SaNiPaPaDhaPaDhaNiSa Raga,Bhupali,fiveVtone,scale:, SaReGaPaDhaSa

195 Raga,Hamsadhuni,Scale:, SaReGaPaNiSa Western,musical,scale,exercises:, Singthemusicalscalesyllablesascendinganddescending: IDoReMiFaSoLaTiDo/DoTiLaSoFaMi ReD (graduallymovingthevoiceupinpitch) FiveVtone,exercise,descending,from,So,,Do:, SoFaMiReDo MeeLohMahMayMee VeeVeeVeeVeeVee Mah May So Lu My (movevoicegraduallyuptohigherpitchesafterpracticinginlower pitches) DoMiSoMiDo LaLaLaLaLa AhAhAhAhAh May. Ay. Vee Ee So etc.onallthevowels. VocalExercisesCont d DoMiReFaMiSoFaReDo

196 AyLaAyLaAyLaAyLaAy ****** DoReMiReDo EeEeEeEeEe AyAyAyAyAy AhAhAhAhAh *samevocal vowelexerciseon *graduallymovethevoiceupinpitchtheseexercise ********** DoMiSoTiSoMiDo LaLaLaLaLaLaLa AhAhAhAhAhAhAh *Variation:singtheabovevocalexercisetwiceinarowononefullbreath graduallymovingupinpitch ******************* It%matters%not%whether%one%believes%in%Krishan%or%Christ,%Mother%Kali% or%mother%mary.% A%formless%God%or%even%a%flame,%a%mountain,%or%an%ideal%such%as% world%peace%can%be%meditated%upon%while%singing.% By%letting%go%of%the%mind%expand%in%the%sound%of%the%Divine%Chanting,% each%one%can%enjoy%the%peace%born%of%one s%inherent%divinity.% WAmmachi% ************************ The%one%who%learns%to%tread%the%Spiritual%path%must%become%as% empty%as%a%cup%in%order%that%the%wine%of%music%and%harmony%may%be% poured%down%into%his/her%heart.% % WHazrat%Inayat%Khan%

197 ************************** O%Saraswati,%you%are%the%source%of%music.% The%masters%of%music%worship%you%and%you%fulfill%their%desires.% O%Goddess%of%speech%and%learning%bless%me%so%that%my%music% Becomes%melodious,%rhythmic,%colorful%and%expressive % Bless%me%so%that%I%will%sing%with%a%pure%heart.% Aum% % WMiyan%Tansen% CHANTS% 1.,Om,Namah,Shiva,,,3x,, Shiva,Om,Namah, (Salutionstothemasculineenergy Shiva,Manipura 3 rd Chakra SunCenter,Fire Element;theenergyofchange,transformation,creativity,action,individuality Namah:tobowdownto,greetingofrespectandgratitude) 2.,Om,,,,Mani,,,,Padme,,,,Hum,,,,,Om,,,,Mani,,,,Padme,,,,Hum,,,(Hhri), (HailtotheJewelintheLotusTraditionalTibetanchant:prayertoawakenone s connectiontotheirspiritualdivinelightwithin,expansionofthe HeartChakra whereindwellsthejewelofenlightenment happiness,peaceandabundance. Chanttoalignone sselfwiththesacredenergiesofthecosmicuniverse.om:the PrimordialSoundoftheUniverse,Mani:Jewel,Padme:Lotus,Hum:Iam,seed soundforvishudda;shri:greatone. 3.,,Om,,Tare,,,Tuttare,,,Ture,,,ShHa,,,(Svaha),,(So,Hum), (TraditionalTibetanchanttotheGoddessTara,(GreenTara)theGoddessof HealingandCompassion,(WhitaTara);theGoddessofPurity,Truth,and Forgiveness.

198 TareTuttare:namesofGoddessTara,Soho(SvahaorSwaha);Blessings, Salutations) 4.,Om,Shanti,,Om,,Shanti,,Om,,Shanti,,Om,,,,,,Aum,,Shanti,,Om,,,Shanti,,Om,,,,,,Namaste,,Aum,,Shanti,,Om,,,,,Namaste,,Om,, (SanskritChantofPeaceandRespect Shanti;Peace,Namaste:Greetingof Respect) 5.,Jai,,Ram,,Shri,,Ram,,,,,,Jai,,Jai,,Ram,,Ram, (Salutationstothe oneconsciousnessenergy,ram:aspectofthesacreduniversal Energy,aSpiritualAvatarwholivedaprrox.7000thousandyearsagoinIndiathe seventhavatarofvishnu,masculine,powerful,peacefulwarrioroftransformation, Jai:Praise,Victory thisrammantrasareconsideredtobegreat Healing Mantras ) 6.,Govinda,,,Hare,,,,,Gopala,,Hare,,,,,He,Prabhu,,Dine,,,Dayal,,,Hare,,,,,He,Prabhu,,Dina,,,Dayal,,,Hare,,,,,He,Prabhu,,Dina,,,Dayal,,,Hare, (Chant;prayertoGovinda,Gopalawhichareaspectsofthe KrishnaConsciousness,aSacredUniversalConsciousness;Krishna;anAvatarwhowalkedaspiritualpath inindiaafter Ram some5000yearsago thisisachanttoinvokethe compassionatespiritofkrishna,uponourspiritualsoul,todwellwithinourheats, withinourlives. PrabhuDinaDayalHare;GreatCompassionateSpirit,Being) 7.,Aham,,Prema,,,Aham,,Prema,,,,,,Aham,,Prema,,,,,,,,AUM,,,,,,Prema,,Svaha,,,Prema,Svaha,,,,,Prema,,Svaha,,,AUM,,, (ChanttoaffirmtheessenceofourDivineBeingwhichisthe SpiritualVibrationsof DivineLove.Aham:Iam,Prema:LoveSvaha(Swaha):Blessings,Salutations)

199 8.,,Aum,,,,Namo,,,,Saraswati,,,,Devaiya,,,,,,Devaiya,,,,Devaiya,,,,Gayati,,,,Kamta,,,,,Gayati,,OM,, (SalutationstotheGoddessSaraswati:ReverendGoddessofMusic,Arts,Poetry, CreativityandSpiritualWisdom Namo:Namaha,tobowdownto,greetingof gratitudeandrespect,devaiya:goddess,heavenly,divine,gayati:songkamta: Love) 9.,Gayatri,Prayer,, Om,Bhur,,Bhuvha,Suvaha,(Swaha),,,,,Om,Bhu,Bhuwaha,Swaha, Tat,Savitur,Varenyam, Bhargo,Devasya,Dhimahi, Bhiyo,Yonah,Prachodayat, Translation: Bhur(Bhuh):Earthplane Bhuvaha:Atmosphericplane Suvaha(Swaha):Solarregion Sun TatSaviturVarenyam:Thatrealmoftruthwhichisbeyondhumancomprehension BhargoDevasyaDhimahi:Inthatplacewhereallthecelestialsofallthespheres havedhiyoyonahprachodayatreceivedenlightenment,kindlyilluminateour intellect AUM AUMSplendidSun ThouarttheSourceofallLight WhoseRaysIlluminatetheWorld IlluminateMyHeart*SothatItoocando YourWork ******** Wemeditateonthe EffulgentLightofDivineReality topurifyandilluminateallworldsandout Being ************** Maytherebepeaceonthemortal,immortalanddivineplanes. Imeditateuponthemostbrilliantsplendorofthe SunGod. Mayhestimulateourintellectandinspireustotakethepathofrightaction

200 10.,Ya,,Devi,,Sarva,,Bhuteshu,,,,,,,,Buddhi,,Rupena,,Samsthita,,,,,,,,Namastasyei,,,,Namastasyei,,,,,,,,Nasmastsyei,,,,Namo,,Namaha, (SalutationstotheDivineFemineEnergyofSpiritualWosdom Devi:Feminine Goddess,Buddhi:innerBuddha,innerteacher,guru,Namastasyei:Namaha, salutations,greetingsofgratitudeandrespect) 11.,Shri,,Ram,,Jay,,Ram,,,,,,,,Jay,,,Jay,,,Ramo,,(Ram,Om), (Praisetothe OneConsciousnessSacredEnergyoftheAvatarRam ) 12.,Aum,,Chandra,,Deva,,Jyotati,,Aum,,, (SalutationstotheGoddessMoon Chandra:Moon,Deva:Heavenly,Divine, Jyoyati:Shining) 13.,Aum,,Surya,,Namaha, (Chanttothe SunGod Surya:Sun,Namaha:Namaste,greetingofgratitude& respect) 14.,Tryam,Bakam,Yaja,Mahe,,,,,,,,Sugandhim,Pushti,vardhanam,,,,,,,,Urdvha,Rukha,Miva,Bhanda,Nam,,,,,,,,Mrityor,Mukshiya,Mam,Ritat, (MarkandayaHealingMantra*Translation: OThree EyedLordShivaShelterMe Blessmewithhealthandimmortality AndsevermefromtheclutchesofDeath

201 15.,,Jaya,,Jaya,,Devi,Mata,Namaha,Aum,(2X), (Praisetothe DivineMother Jaya:Praise,Devi:Goddess,Mata:Mother, Namaha) 16.,Hare,Krishna,,Hare,Krishna,,,Krishna,,Krishna,,Hare,,Hare,,,,,,,,Hare,Rama,,,,,,Hare,Rama,,,,,,,Rama,,,Rama,,,,,,,,,,Hare,,Hare, 17.,Om,Namo,Bhagavate,Vasudevaiya, (SalutationstotheSacredUniversalEnergies,andtheteachingsofthisDivine Energies;theVedictexts BhagavaGita) 18.,Om,Namah,Shivaya,,,,,Om,,Namah,,Shiva,,Om,,,(2X),,,,,,,,Shivaya,,,Shivaya,,,,Nataraja,Shivaya,,,,Om,,Namah,Shiva,,Om,,(2X), (NamastetotheDancingShiva Nataraja:Dancer) 19.,Bhaja,,Mana,,Ma,Ma,Ma,Ma,,,(2x),,,,,,,,Ananda,,Mayi,,Ma,Ma,,,(2x), (ChanttotheDivineFeminine,theDivineMotherofBliss) 20.,,Amaram,,Hum,,Maduram,Hum,,,,,,,,,Amaram,Hum,,,Om,,Mata,,Om,,, (AmaramHum:IamBeautyMadurumHum:IamBliss OmMata:OmDivineMotherOm) 21.,Aum,,Asatoma,Sat,Gamaya, Lead,me,from,untruth,to,truth,,,,,,,,,Tamasoma,,Jyotir,,Gamaya, Lead,me,from,darkness,to,light,,

202 ,,,,,,,,Mrityor,Ma,Amritam,Gamaya,Lead,me,from,death,to,immortality(eternity),,,,,,,,Aum,,Hari,,Om,,,, Aum,Divine,Spirit,Om,, 22.,Om,Shreem,Maha,Lakshmiyei,,Namaha, 23.,Om,Shreem,Lakshmi,,,Swaha,,Swaha,,,,,,,,Om,Shreem,Lakshmi,Swaha,,, 24.,Saraswati,,Maha,,Lakshmi,,,Durga,Devi,,,Namaha,,, 25.,Hanesha,Sharanam,,,,Sharanam,Ganesha, 26.,Gate,Gate,,,Para,Gate,,Parasam,,,Bodhi,Swaha,, 27.,Shambha,Shivo,Jaya,,,,Shambha,Shivo,,Jaya,,,,,,,,,Shambha,Shivo,Jaya,,,,Shambha,Shivo,,,,,,,,,Om,Mata,,Om,,Mata,,,,Om,,Shri,,Mata,,Shambha,,Shivo, 28.,So,Hum,,,So,Hum,,,,So,Hum,Mata,Hum,,,,So,Hum,Shivo,Hum, IAmThatIAm AUM The,Voice, IntheSanskritlanguagethefifthchakra,Vishuddha,translatesasthecenterof greatpurity.sincethischakracenterisconnecteddirectlytoourthroat,voice,and hearing,itisnaturaltousesound,singingandlisteningaswaystoopenorbalance thisenergy. Inourchakrayogaclasses,asagroup,wehaveanopportunitytoexplorethevoice withbasicbreathingandtoningtechniques.aswell,i,(marina),havealways encouragedstudentstotreatthemselvestothegiftofprivatevoicetraining.itis wonderfultodothis,evenforafewmonths,todiscoverone sunique,purevoice.i dorecommendclassicalvoicetrainingasopposedtopoporjazzvocalsasclassical voicetraininghasthetechnicalexercisesnecessarytoreachtheauthenticpotential ofthevoice,expandingtheupperandlowerregisterofyourpersonasound.youcan thentakethesetechniquesandusethistraininginanystyleofsinging.

203 Discoveringthepotentialofyourauthenticvoiceisatrulyupliftingexperience.It expandsthesoul,increasescreativityandselficonfidenceaswellascreatesmore joyinone sbeing.singingorworkingwithvarioustypesofvoweltoning,harmonic overtoningorchantingisalsoveryhealingforthebody,mindandspirit.this practicecanreachintotheverydepthsofourbeing. Purity,inthetranslationofVishuddha,referstousingthischakraenergyinits purestform.throughpuresound,affirmativethinking,purethoughts,purewords aswellaspureconsciouslistening,thischakraenergycanremainopenand balanced.ifintheearlystagesofdevelopmentachildissuppressedbyfearor shynessofmakingsoundorcommunicatinghisorhertruthsorcreativeideas,this chakracenterisinhibitedandcanweakeninitspotentialtobeopenandexpressive. Indevelopingthevoicethroughvoicelessons,voweltoningandotherformsof soundonewillfindthattheirvoiceisverymuchconnectedtotheiremotions.by developingone sownvoiceonecanexperiencealotofpersonalgrowth.one releasespentupemotionssuchasanger,worryand/orothertypesofinnerconflicts thatmayhavebeensuppressedforalongperiodoftime.inworkingwiththevoice onemaygainconfidenceinone sselftocommunicatemoreclearlyandeffectively. Onemaygaintheabilitytostandinone spowertospeaktheirtruthandletgoof habitualpatternsofshynessortimidnessonceandforall.onemayletgoofthefear ofbeingheard,beingvisibleorbeingridiculed.onemayalsogaintheconfidenceto speakinfrontoflargegroupsandbeheard. Throughthepracticeofsoundandbreathingonemayreleasecertainemotionsheld inthecellularbody.theseemotionsmaybefeelingsofsadness,grief,fearandsoon butonemustrealizethatthereisapurificationtakingplaceintheenergybody throughthepowerofsound.afteronehasclearedanynegative,stagnantenergy patternsonemayexperiencetheeuphoricfeelingofmakingvocalsoundsaswellas signingoutloud.itisalsoaveryjoyfulandhealingexperiencetosingwithachoirof voices.thereisalotofpowerintheharmonioussoundsofmanyvoices.some peoplejoincommunitychoirsorsongcirclesjusttosingforthepurejoyofit. Professionalstageorfilmactinglessonsarealsoagreatwaytodevelopthevoice andovercomethefearofpublicspeaking.actinglessonsteachonehowtoarticulate aswellasprojectone svoicetoagroupofpeople.theexercisesandtechniques learnedindramaclassesareinvaluableforteachers,publicspeakersandallforms ofpublicbusinessoperations.theabilitytouseone svoiceinitsrichformboosts one sconfidencetopresentthemselvesinaveryassuredmanner. Recitingpoetryoutloudtoanotherpersonorinfrontofagroupisanothercreative methodtodevelopthevoice.practicingtoarticulatethewordsclearlywithdynamic tonesandinflectionsisaveryusefulwaytoworkwiththevoice.

204 Thevoiceistotallyconnectedtoourbreath.Aswebreathdeepandreleasethe soundinitsfulltimbreweareopeningthecurtainstovishuddhachakra.inhis book,the-mozart-effect,doncampbellsaysallformsofvocalizationsuchassigning, chanting,yodeling,hummingandmantracanbeverytherapeuticforthevoice. Itisalsoverygoodtowarmupthevoicethroughhumming,voweltoningandother vocalexercisesbeforegoingintoafullcreativeexpressionofsong.takingthetime tomassagetheface,releasethejawaswellasexercisetheneckandshoulderswill helponereachthetruequalityoftheiruniquevoice. Inherbook,Eastern-Body-Western-Mind,AnodeaJudithspeaksonthepsychologyof thechakracenters.shepointsoutthatifonehastroublespeakingorexpressing one sselfinthemidstofaconfrontationwithapartner,parentorfriendthenthey areprobablyexperiencingablockinthefifthchakra.shesaysitisagreatexerciseto writeoutexactlywhatwewouldhaveliketohavesaidandfindasupportivefriend toreadthisletterto.youmaychoosetoreadtwodifferentdraftsoftheletter.the firstonemaybetotallyuneditedandthesecondonemayhavelessemotionreaction aroundit.youmayeventhenchoosetogivethelettertothepersonyouwerein confrontationwithornot.youmayfindfromdoingtheexercisethatyouareableto speakmorereadilytothepersonyouareinconflictwith. JohnBradshaw,authorofthebook,Healing-The-Shame-That-Binds-You-&-The- Homecoming,offerssomesimilarexercisesinhisworkwithoriginalfamilypain.In hisworkshopsheencouragespeopletowritealettertothelivingordeceased personthatyoumayhaveunresolvedissueswith.hesuggestsyouwritethisletter withyourlefthandinordertoconnectwiththeauthenticinnerchildwhomaybe holdingthesuppressedemotions.youmaythentakethisletterandreaditoutloud toafriendtoconnectwiththedeepemotionsbehindthewords.thiscanbevery powerfulbackwithyourrighthand,whileplayingtherolemodelofthepersonyou wereinconflictwith.inthisletteryouwouldwritethekindofwordsandfeelings thatishealingfortheinnerchild.thisisveryeffectiveandhealingforthefourth andfifthchakras.itisveryimportanttoclearinnerconflictsandspeaksone struth inthehealthiestwaypossible. Affirmations, Affirmationsarepositivewordsorshortphrasessaidinthepresenttense.These phrasesarerepeatedoverandoveragainlikethechantingofamantratosendthe positiveaffirmationdeepintothesubconsciousmind.therepetitionofthe affirmationhelpsonetomanifesttheseexperiencesorfeelingsinone sdailylife. OnemaycallitselfIhypnosisorthepowerofmindovermatter.Manypeoplefind thispracticetobeaverypowerfulandlifechanging.aswell,practicingaffirmations asopposedtospeakingorthinkinginanegativemannerisalsousingtheenergyof Vishuddhainitspureform.ItissaidthattheancientEgyptianPharaohswerevery

205 attunedtothepowerandsacrednessofthevoice(fifthchakra).apparentlythe Egyptianspracticedthepowerofaffirmativethinkingtodirectthenation.Inthe teachingsofthescienceofyogaandthepowerofthemindandthoughtisdeeply investigated.thoughtsarevibratingenergyandcanmanifestinthematerialworld. Teachersspeakofourthoughtscreatingourrealitysoonemustbemindfulofone s thoughts,desiresandwishes.theymaymanifest Visualizationwithaffirmativethoughtsisalsoagoodpracticetohelpmanifestthe desiredwish.americanauthor,lousehay,hashadagreatinfluencewithherbooks andaudiomeditationsonthepowerofaffirmationstohelphealandailingbodyor changethehabitualconditioningofthesubiconsciousmind.itisveryimportantto sayyouraffirmationsinthepresenttenseforifonespeaksofthepositivethoughtin thefuturetensethenitmaynevermanifest.itwillremainasawishinthefuture. Accordingtoresearchthesubconsciousmindonlyrespondstothepresentas opposedtothefuturetenseoflanguage. Iamhealthy.Iamwhole.---(not)-I-will-be-healthy.--I-will-be-whole.- Iopenandreceivetheabundantflowofthecosmicuniverse. (not)-i-will-receive- -.- ThesubIconsciousminddoesnotrespondwelltonegativephrasing aswellsuchas: I-do-not-have-cancerous-cells-anymore.- (insteadsay)mycellsarehealthyandwhole.myliveris rejuvenated. I-am-not-in-conflict.---(not)- (instead)iampeaceful.iamcentered.iliveinharmonywithall beings. Affirmationsareonewayofworkingwiththefifthchakraandthebusymindto createamorepositiveandpeacefulrealityinlife.theaffirmativethoughtswill absorbandweakenthepowerofthedoubting,fearfulandnegativethoughts. **************** Toning, In1959awomannamedLaurelElizabethKeyesdiscoveredforherselfthepowerof thevoicebyproducingsoundtoreleasefeelingfromherbody.hervoicebecame

206 herhealinginstrument.shecalledtheprocessofmakinglove,elongated,sustained soundswiththehumanvoice,toning.aftermuchresearchintothenatureofsound usedbyancientcivilizationsandindigenouspeoplesshesaid, Toningisanancient methodofhealingwhichrestorespeopletotheirnatural,harmonicpatters:. Authorofthebook,The-Mozart-Effect-&-Musician-Physician:-For-Times-to-Come,Don Campbell,describestoningastheconscious,elongationofsoundusingbreathand voice.aswell,inherbook,thehealingvoice,joygardenerigordonsaystoningis utilizingthevibratorypowerofthevoicebymakinglong,sustainedsoundswithout theuseofmelody,beatorrhythm.toningisalsodevoidofwordsandphrasingand thereforedoesnotrequireanymusicalability.itispuresound Inourdiscussiononthesacredpowerofsoundandmantrainchaptersevenwe learnedthataccordingtothepsychicchannelingofedgarcayce,theancient Egyptianpriestsapparentlypracticedthepowerofsoundbysingingasuccessionof particularvoweltonestoattunetheirvibrationwiththehighervibrationsofthe cosmicuniverse,invokecelestialdivineenergiesaswellasactivatethechakra centerswithinthebody.inindianmusic,ragaisthecentralconceptofmusicand melody.svaraisthesanskrittermmeaningtone.intheindianmusicalscalethe sevensvaras(tones) saregamapadhani(sa) arereferredtoastheseven goddesses.singingthesetonesoverasustainedperiodoftimeissaidtoinvokethe divinepresenceofthemysticaluniverseandfillone scupwithcreativeinspiration anddivinelove.thewesternmusicalscaleissunginthesametonalmelodywith sounds, doremifasolatido.themusclescaleattunesthehearingandcreativity ofthesingersandmusicians. Inhisbook,TheSecretPowerofMusic,author,DavidTamesaysIndianwritershave alwaystaughtthattheepitomeofmusicbelongstothe voice.thevoiceisthought tobetheessentialexpressionofthecosmicuniverseandesotericallyassociated withtheaspectofthemotherigoddess.thevoicehasadirectspiritualconnection withthesymphonyofsoundconstantlyvibratinginthemagnificentuniverse.tame saidthattheancientcivilizationsregardedthephenomenonofsoundwithgreat reverence.itissaidthatpeoplecouldaccesssacredenergiesthroughthetonationof puresoundandcreateachannelbetweenthedivineandhumanbeingsonearth. Groaning,sighingandreleasinglongsustainedsoundareallformsoftoning.Vowel toningisthedisciplineofchoosingavowelsuchas AH asinfatheror EE asinshe, takingadeepbreathandvocalizingthatvoweltoneinonelong,sustainedsound. Hereitishelpfultopracticegoodvocalbreathingtechniqueswhereonecanmanage theirairandnotletalltheairtoofthelungsatthebeginningofthesound.these exercisesofsoundandbreathingareveryhealingandtherapeuticforthebody, mindandspirit. ThepracticeoffreeIhandjournalingisalsoaverygoodexercisetodoafter sustainedperiodsoftoning.thisfreesylewritinghelpsonetoanalyzeor understandanymemoriesoremotionsthatmayhavearisenduringoraftertoning.

207 Aswell,similartotheeffectsofmantrachanting,toningabsorbsthebusychatterof themindandcanbringonetoacalmplaceofclarityandcenteredness. Inmanytraditionsandformsofsoundtherapythevoiceisrecognizedasthehighest healinginstrumentofsoundforthevoiceresonatesdeepinsidethecellularbody anddirectlyaffectsthephysicalandemotionalbeing.sustainedperiodsofvowel toninggreatlyoxygenatesthecells,energizespranaandhelpstoharmonizethe physicalandemotionalbody.aswelltoninginducesthealphawaveactivityinthe brainwhichisverygoodforconnectingwiththesubiconsciousmind,relaxation, visualizationandrecitingaffirmations.inhisbook,healingsounds,author& teacher,jonathongoldmansaysthataccordingtoscientificresearchdifferent brainwavesaremeasuredincyclespersecondcalledhertz.hertzisthe measurementofthefrequencyofasoundwave.onehertzisequivalenttoonecycle persecond.forexamplethenoteaonthepianoabovemiddlecismeasuredas440 hertzor440cyclespersecond. Thefourcategoriesofbrainwaveratesare: Betawaveswhichrangefrom14I20hz.Thisbrainactivityisnormalwake consciousness. Alphawavesrangefrom8I13hz.Thisbrainwaveisbroughtaboutbyslow breathing,relaxation,meditation,vocaltoning,mantrachantingorlisteningto harmonicfrequencies. Thetabrainwavesrangefrom4I7hz,whichoccursindeepstatesofmeditationor sleepdeltabrainwavesrangefromaverylowvibrationof0.5 3hz.Thisbrainwave isdeepsleepingormeditativestates. Wecaneasilychangethevibrationofourbrainwavesthroughtheprocessoftoning andchanting. Throughmuchresearchwithhiscolleagues,soundtherapistandauthor,Fabien Mamamhadgreatresultsinexperimentingwithsoundproducedovercancercells. Hesaidthatthecombinationofthehumanvoiceandthemusicalscalescausedsome Helacancercellstoexplode.InhismanualonTheHealingPowerofSound,Simon HeathershareshisresearchonFabienMamam sworkwithsound.hesaidthat Mamamandhiscolleague,HeleneGrimal,intheirmanyexperimentsfoundthat soundfrequenciesbetweenthenoteof A (440Hz)andthenoteof B (493Hz) wouldbreakdownthestructureofanisolatedcancercellwithin21minuteswhile thehealthycellsremainedstrongandintact.intheirexperimentswithvolunteer breastcancerpatients,mamaandgrimalfoundthatintoningthewholescalefor21 minutes3½hoursperdayforonemonthonewoman stumorcompletely disappeared.fromhisexperimentsmamanfoundthatthehumanvoice,withits

208 addedqualityofcolor,intentionandspiritualnature,hadagreatimpactonthe resultsofsoundtherapytohealhumandisiease. Benefits,of,Toning, Therearemanyphysiologicalandpsychologicalbenefitstothepracticeoftoning. Thesebenefitsareverysimilartothoseofmantrachantingdiscussedinchapter seven.iwillmentionanumberofthebenefitsherebutialsoencourageyouto reviewthethoselistedinchapterseven.,toning:, Increasesthelevelsofoxygeninthebodyandbrain Energizesprana;helpstoactivatethechakracenters Resonatesandhelpstorejuvenatethecells,bones,glands&organs Givesaninnermassagetothebodyandbrain Improvescirculationofallbodilyfluids Stimulatesbrainactivity;enhancesmemoryanddecisionmaking;induces alphabrainwaveactivity DeIstressesthephysicalbody;inducestherelaxationresponse Calmstheemotions&busymind;lowersbloodpressure&respirationrate Helpstoalleviatechronicpain Supportsoverallhealthofthebody&mind Helpstoawakenandraiseone sconsciousnesswiththehighervibrationsof thespiritualuniverse ************ Chanting,, Chantingistherepetitioussingingofwords,phrasesorshortsongswithorwithout musicalaccompaniment.thewordsofthechantormantracanbeanaffirmative phrase,thoughorprayer.manytraditionalculturessuchastheafricans,native Indians,Hawaiiansandsoonpracticedchantingintheirparticularceremoniesfor healing,planting,harvestingaswellasthecyclesoftheseasons. LongsustainednotessuchastheSanskritmantra AUM (OM)aresometimescalled chantingaswellastoning.thisrepetitionisvoicedinmoreofamonotonesoundas opposedtoamelodicstyleofsinging.

209 SomeofthetraditionalmantrasformIndiaandTibetarerecitedinabasic monotonedroneaswell.otherchantssuchasthegregorianchantingaresungin accapellavoicewhichisvoicewithoutmusicalaccompaniment. InhisbookcalledChanting,RobertGasssays, chantissingingourprayers.alsohe notesthatchantingis vocalmeditation&discoveringspiritinsound. Thebenefitsofchantingaremany.Thesebenefitsareverysimilartoallthebenefits listenfortoningandmantra,fortheyareallformsofchanting.chantingcanalter thebrainwavesoftheleftandrighthemispheresofthebraininducingstatesof relaxationaswellasenhancingclarity,memoryandone screativeflowofenergy. Chantingopensthedoorwaytotheheartchakracreatingfeelingsofjoyand compassion.aswellchantingisreleasingandclearingforsishuddhachakraon manylevels.thisvocalpracticebooststheimmunesystemandisagooddiscipline inmaintainingthehealthofthebody,mindandspirit. Harmonic,Overtoning, Theuniverseisalivewithsoundandwithinallsoundsarethe harmonics.harmonicsareaphenomenonofnaturethatoccurswheneversoundis created. IJonathonGoldman(HealingSounds) Inhisbook,HealingSounds,author,healer&teacher,JonathonGoldmanshareshis knowledgeandresearchonthepowerofharmonics.heremindsusthatalmostall tonesproducedbyaninstrument,avoiceorothersourcesofsound,suchasthe drippingofwaterintoasteelbasin,areamixtureofthepuretoneorfirsttone whichiscalledthefundamentaltoneandothersubtlefrequenciescalledpartials.he saysthelowerfrequencyiscalledthefundamentaltoneandallthepartialshigherin frequencyfromthefundamentaltonearereferredtoasovertones.anothername forovertonesisharmonics. Asmentionedearlier,soundisvibrationalenergyscientificallymeasuredinthe formofwaves.thesewavesaremeasuredinunitesofcyclespersecond(hertz).for exampleifweplaythenotemiddleconthepiano,itismeasuredas256hz.herec isthefundamentaltonewhichisclearlyheardbutwhenonelistensintentlyonewill hearallkindsofotherhighertonesresonatingaspartofthemusicalscaleofc. Goldmanpointsoutthathemostobviousovertonesarecalledformants.Theseare toneslikethemajor3 rd or5 th ofthescale.therearemoresubtletonesbetween theseintervals.overtonescontributetothequalityofsound,colorandtimbreofan instrumentofvoice. AccordingtoGoldman sresearch,vocalizationoflongsustainedtonesproduce overtoneswhichareextremelyhealingforthebrainandbody.aswell,listeningto harmonicovertonesisverystimulatingandchargingforthecortexofthebrain.

210 HarmonicovertoningisheardintraditionalformsofTibetanchanting.Someof thesechantmasterssingwhatiscalledthe oneivoicechord whichistheprocessof singingthreenotesofachordatonce.harmonicovertoningisfoundinthesinging oftuvianthroatsingers,gregorianchantingandparticularstylesofharmonicvocal toning. Goldmansayshewasfirstintroducedtotheeffectsofharmonicovertonesingingby theincrediblerecordingofdavidhykesvocalensemble.twooftheserecordings arecalledharmonicmeetingsandsolarwinds.atthistimein1981goldmanwas blownawaybythetransformingeffectsofthisstyleofsinging.thissenthimona hugeprocessofcreativeresearchtofindoutthemanybenefitsofharmonicsinging. WhenImetDavidin1995hehadacopyofDavidHyke stape,harmonicmeetings, whichhewasusingforhissoundtherapysessionswithpeople.ilistenedtothis recordingandfeltandinstantconnectiontothisstyleofsinging.itishauntingly mystical Bylisteningtocertainharmonicovertonesone sconsciousnessisalteredand transportedtoanotherrealmofexistence.throughhisresearchgoldmansaiditis probablethatlisteningtoparticularstylesofharmonicovertoningandwellas vocalizingthesesoundscanactuallycreateanopeningorgatewaybetweenthe manylevelsofconsciousness. TheAustralianaboriginalsusethedidgeridootocreatehealingandinducehigher statesofconsciousness.theoneivoicechordmadebythetibetanchantmastersis similartothesoundofthedidgeridoo. Scientist&authorofthebook,TheConsciousEar,Dr.AlfredTomatisshareswithus hisknowledgeof50yearsofresearchinthefunctionofthehumanearandhowit affectstheentirehumanbody.dr.tomatisisaspecialistinotolaryngologyandhas madeincrediblediscoveriesinthepowerofsoundandlistening.goldmanalso introducestomatis workinhisbook,healingsounds. Tomatisbelievedthatthereweretwokindsofsound.Thereissoundthatcreates fatigueinthebodyandthenthereissoundthatvitalizestheenergyofthebrainand body. InhistalkswithJonathonGoldman,Tomatissharedhisopiniononharmonics. TomatissaysthathighfrequencyharmonicssuchasthosefoundinGregorianand Tibetanchantingactuallychargesthecortexofthebrain.Apparently,Dr.Tomatis wasknowntosleeplessthanfourhoursaday.hesaidthiswasaccomplishedby listeningtosoundrichwithharmonicfrequenciesduringhiswakinghours. HisdiscoveryofhowthebrainischargedbythehighharmonicsinGregorian chantinghappenedwhenheworkedwithagroupofmonkswhopracticedchanting.

211 Hespeaksofthisstoryinhisbook,TheConsciousEar.Hetellsusthatwhenhewent toinvestigatethelifeofthemonksatoneparticularmonasteryhefoundthenormal routineofthemonkswastosleepapproximately4hoursperday,practicetheir chantingabout6i8hoursperdayandtherestofthetimetheyaccomplishedtheir dailytasksaroundthemonastery.therewasatimewhenanewabbottcametothis monasteryanddecidedthatthechantingtookupwaytoomuchtime,soheputa limitonthechantingpractice.afteracertainperiodoftimeallthemonks,oneby one,begantofeeltired,loseenergyandfallill.theabbotwasperplexedbythis phenomenasohebroughtindifferentspecialiststofindoutwhythemonkswereso weak.aftermanyideasfromthesespecialisttherewasnotmuchsuccessuntildr. Tomatisdecidedtotakeituponhimselftomonitorthemonksdailyactivities.With hisknowledgeonthereivitalizingandchargingeffectsofsoundtomatisputallthe monksbackontotheirnormalchantingpracticeofsomanyhoursperdayandone byoneeachofthemonk sbecamewellagain.tomatisdiscoveredthatthehigh harmonicsintheirgregorianchantingchargedtheentirebrainandbodyenabling themtosleeplessandbeveryhealthyandproductivethroughouttheday. TomatisalsofoundthatthemusicofMozartespeciallyhisviolinconcertoswere alsorichinharmonics.hesaidthatifoneplayedgregorianchantingormozart concertosinthebackground,whilestudying,writingorworkingonewouldfeel moreawakeandalert.hepointedoutthattheharmonicsinthismusicwould stimulatebrainactivity. Duringhisdiscoveriesonthepowerofsoundandtheincrediblefunctionsofthe humaneartomatisinventedthe electronicear tohelpmeethisclient s physiologicalandpsychologicalneedsandailments.inhisresearch,tomatisfound thatalmostallofthecranialnervesleadtotheear.theearbeingneurologically connectedtotheopticandoculomotornerveshaveanaffectonone svisionand movement.thevagusnervewhichisconnectedtotheearisoneofthelargest nervesinthebodyandaffectsmanyareasofthebodyincludingthelarynx,heart, thebronchi,theintestinaltractandsoon.thereforewhatwelistentohasagreat impactonthephysiologicalfunctionsofthebody.soundspollution,suchas chainsaws,tirethebodywhereassoothingrelaxingmusiccalmsthemindandbody. Dr.Tomatisalsomadegreatdiscoveriesintheaffectofsoundonthebabyinutero. Hestudiedmanycasesofautisticchildren,childrenandadultswithspeech impediments,peoplesufferingfromdyslexiaandstuttering,onlytofindoutthatthe mother svoiceaswellasherthoughtsandsurroundingsoundsaffectedthe psychologicalbehaviorofthebabyinside.youcanreadabouthisinhisautoi biographymentionedbefore,theconsciousear.itisveryfascinatingresearch.by utilizingtheelectronicearandthehumanvoicedr.tomatishelpedmanypeople withvariousproblems.hehelpedpeoplewhowereconsideredtobetonedeaf, manypeoplewithspeechimpediments,stuttersanddyslexicpeople,autistic childrenaswellaspeoplewithvariousformsofdepression.theelectronicear enhancedthelearningofvariouslanguagesinaveryshortperiodoftimeaswellas themusicianshipofmanyoperasingers.

212 Tomatisalsopointedoutthathevoicecanonlyduplicatewhatithearssoinorderto improveone ssingingabilityorqualityofvoicethehearingoftheindividualmust befirstlyimproved.tomatissaidasonelistenstothehighfrequenciesofharmonics theactualtoneandqualityofone svoicewillchange. InhisinterviewwithGoldman,Tomatissaidthatoneofthebasicfunctionsofthe earistoprovide,throughsound,thechargingofthebrainaswellas90i95%ofthe totalchargeofthebody.tomatissaidthattibetanchanting,gregorianchantingas wellasparticularstylesofthroatsingingcontainedallthefrequenciesofthevoice spectrum,approximately70i9000hz.healsotoldgoldmanthatagoodpartofthe healingeffectsoflisteningtohighfrequenciesisintheconductionofthebones whicharestimulatedby2000hz. Goldmansays, boneconductionactuallyamplifiesthesoundthroughresonanceof thecraniumandtheskull.accordingtodr.tomatisboneconductionstimulatesthe stapesmusclesoftheear,whichhebelievesisthekeytochargingthecortexofthe brain. Listeningtoharmonicovertonesingingisalsoagreatpracticeformeditation. Accordingtoresearch,harmonicsigningandlisteninghasmanytherapeuticeffects onourphysical,emotional,andspiritualbeing.itissimilartovoweltoningexcept onecanchangetheshapeofthemouthandlipsaswellasthepositioningofthe tongue.somesuggestedsoundsandtonesfromjonathongoldman sbookare: Elongationofan EE soundschangingtoan OO soundswithdeepbreathingand repetitivecycles. Nonsensewordssuchas MOOR NUUURRRR WOW HHHHUUUURRREEE Itisfuntopracticewithagroup.Thehighpitchedspiralsofsoundyouhearasthe groupistoningarethehighfrequencyharmonics. Puresoundishealingforthebody,mindandspirit Marina ACTIVE,PRACTICE,, Vishuddha,Chakra,Routine,

213 1. BeginwiththePranavaAIUIMdoneinvajrasana;followitwiththree cleansingbreaths.#1 2. Godownintodharmikasana,headtothefloorinfrontoftheknees.Place yourhandsoutoneachsideofyourheadandrollupontothetopofyour head.yourbodyneedstocomeupoffyourheelstodothis.makesureyoudo thisgently,usingyourhandsandarmstostabilizeandsupportyouasyou feelthestretchthoughtheneckanduppershouldersarea.besttoexhaleas youcomeupintothestretchandinhaleasmuchaspossibleinthedown pose.asanextensionyoucantryrockingalittlefromsidetosidewhileon yourhead.humwiththeoutibreath.#20 3. Comebackuptothesittingpositionandworktheshouldersupandaround withthebreath;upontheinibreath,downontheout.nowraisethe shouldersupashighaspossiblewiththeinbreathandjustdropthemdown asyoureleasethebreath.followuponthatwithheadmovementsbackand thenforwarddowntothechest;exhaleforward.nowgodowneachside, thenturnaroundeachway.letthebreathoutwithasigheachtime. 4. Supta%vajrasana,therecliningthunderbolt.Reclinebacktorestyourhands andelbowstothefloor,thendropyourheadbackuntilthetopofthehead touchesthefloor.chestisarchedupandtheheadistuckedinunderasfaras possible.breathingisdeepparticularlyintheupperchestarea.feelthe stretchintheneckanditseffectonthethyroid.usethesound hung with exhalation.#15 5. Janu,shirsh,asana,kneetotheheadpose.Startingwiththekneebent,grab yourtoesandinhaleasyoustraightenyourlegandpullituptoyourhead. Mantra:lung,externallyandinternally.#75 6. Nikunjasana,thebabypose,isdonefromanallIfourspositionbybending theelbowsandcomingtorestthechestonthefloor;slideforwarduntilyou arenotonyourchinorneck,thenturnyourheadtoonesideandbreathe deeplyintheupperchest.doitagainwithyourheadturnedtotheotherside. Feelthateachbreathisliftinguptheweightofthebody,strengtheningthe breathingmuscles.tryalowfrequencyhumintheposition.#37 7. Simhasana,thelion.ComeupontothekneeswhileinacrossIleggedposition andplaceyourhandsoutfronttomakeafourileggedpose.nowopenthe mouthwideandhangoutyourtongue;eyesarealoswideopen.proceedto roarlikealionwithadeepexpelledbreath.feelhowdeeplythisaffectsyour throat.#69 8. Sarvangasana,theshoulderstand,afterthreedoubleleglifts.Simply continuetheliftuntilyourfeetareupoveryourheadandalmostdowntothe

214 floor;nowplaceyourhandsonyourbackforsupportandstraightenthelegs upward.breathingremainsfairlydeep.youcannowtrysomeofthe variationsbybringingonekneesdowntotheforeheadwhilethefootrests ontheotherthigh,onesideatatime.rightlegdownstimulatestheliverand leftlegdownstimulatesthespleen.mantra:hung.# Backdownonthefloor,rolloverontoyourbellyanddobhujangini%mudra, (#48),thatversionofthecobrawhereyouhissoutthebreathasyougoup. Fromheregointosingha%nada%kriya,(#51),byliftingtheheadonlyand makingaloudsnoringnoise.doyousupposethisisagoodforthethroat? 10. Parighasana,thelockedgate:Moveupontoyourknees,straightenoneleg outtotheside,inhaledeeplyandbendovertothatsidewhileexhaling;each side.mantra:wung,-wung.# Vajroli1:Startingfromshavasana(corpseposture),doastraightIbacksitI up,usingthehandsonthegroundassupport.inthesittingpositionblastout thebreathinonefastbhastrika,applythebandha-trayam,placethehands behindthebackforsupportandraisethelegsstraightupoverthehead, balancingthebodyonthetailboneandhands.thisismaintainedfora32i secondheldioutbreath,untiltheshaktiflowsatthekunda,shakingthebody. Feeltheenergyflowinthespine. 12. Amaroli1:Sittinginshakta-chelana,acompletedeepbreathistaken, followedbytheapplicationofthebandha-trayam,andheldfora64isecond count.headisthenraisedandthebreathblastedoutsothata32isecond heldioutbreathcanbedone.youmightwanttotakeafewdaystoworkupto this. 13. Relaxation:AfterseveralroundsofSavitri,followthemovementofthebreath rightthroughthebodywiththesoundaum,bothontheinibreathandouti breath.

215 POWERROUTINE 1. Takesixbreaths,followedbyacoupleofcleansingbreaths 2. Forwardandbackbendingwithbreath. 3. FlyingEagledone27timeswithbreath,thenretention. 4. TenyogapushIupswithbreathing,followedby10deepbreathsandone retention. 5. EgyptianSunSalutedoneninetimeseachside,withretentionholdingthe pose. 6. ImaginaryweightIliftingusingthearmstolifttheweightfromtheshoulders uptillthearmsarestraight.pushoutthebreathasyoupushup;feelthe musclesworking.whenyouhavehadenough,takeabreakandcatchupwith yourbreath.severlaroundsfollowedbyaretention.

216 7. Warriorpose;lungewitharmsupatapacethatsupportscompletedeep breathing.thenholdthepositionwith10deepbreathsandretention.the retentioncanbeheldinthepositionorelsestandingup. 8. Standingcurlswithimaginaryweights;integrateyourbreathing. 9. Cleansingbreaths. 10. Sitting,donineroundsofsuperbreathswitharetentionandmulabandha. 11. SarpaKriyasdonewiththehandsbehindthebackandthelegsliftedasthe headandtorsolife.(15times). 12. Thencomeuponallfoursanddosometigerbreathingwitharetention. 13. Boatandrowboatwithvigorousbreathfollowedwitharetentioninthelying downposition. 14. Forwardstretch,thencobra. 15. Squatsdone27times,breathingdeeply,with5breathsandretentionatthe end. 16. Cleansingbreaths. 17. Rapidbreathingfor108roundsplusretentionwhileconcentratingonthe contractionofbodymuscles. 18. Dosomestretches:headtothekneeinthewidestance.Gofromthereinto theegyptiansunsalute severaltimesoneachside. 19. Nowdoaspinaltwistfromalotusposition,thenbendingtheshoulderdown toeachoppositeknee,withrighthandonrightknee,orlefthandonleftknee. 20. Cleansingbreath. 21. SittingintheThunderboltposture,doathreeIpartbreath,wherethelength oftheinibreath,theretentionandtheoutibreathareallthesameduration: an8count. SYNOPSISofVISHUDDHACHAKRA ELEMENT:Electromagnetism(Ether) YOGA:RajaYoga GENDER:Masculine FORCE:Expansive,vibratory MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:North YANTRA,SYMBOL:Pinkoval,inblue16Isidedmandala ENERGY,COLOR:Blue SOUND:Hung SENSE,PERCEPTION:Hearing

217 ACTION:Speaking NERVE,PLEXUS:Laryngeal PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Thyroid,Parathyroids ORGANS:Voicebox PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,,, Newlife Adjustable Investigative Diversified Nomadic Fearless Generous NEGATIVE:, Indulgent Immoderate Disagreeable Impulsive Chaotic Unforgiving Misfit OTHER:Colon

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220 CHAPTER,6, Ajna,Chakra, Command-Center- Ajnabringsaboutmanifestationbysettingthemagneticpatternwhichholds everyparticularorwaveinitsplaceoralongitspath.likeawebof holographicimage,itisthemental/energeticblueprintforlife. Physiologicallythisenergygovernsourunfoldingbodyaswegrowfroma seedtoanadult,followingthegeneticblueprintfromwhichourpersonal manifestationoriginates.throughoutourlife,ajnaremainsthegoverning forcebehindtheoldaxiom mindovermatter,constantlydirectingourbody andbrainchemistryaccordingtoourbeliefsandexpectations. Atthemolecularlevelitisthepolaritythatrunsthrougheveryatomand molecule.amagneticforce,establishingthemagneticguidelineforevery electromagneticwave,ajnaisatthecoreofevery thing. Theuniversealsohasapatternofmagentafields,onewhichkeepsthe positionandmotionofallthepartsinbalance.theseuniversalgridlines makeupthewebsthatweavesourmanifestedreality. Atthepsychologicallevelthischakraisourcommandcenter,thesitewhere wemakedecisionsandgovernourthoughts,actions,andevenfeelings. ELEMENT, The6 th chakra,calledajna,istheelementofthemind.withintherealmofthe energyworld,this elemental forceofthemindisknowntodayasmagnetism.to thescientistsandphysicistinourmodernworld,magnetismcanbedetectedor observedaslinesofforce,foundvirtuallyeverywhereasmagneticfields.inthelast chapterwelookedatelectromagneticenergy anintangible,nonisubstancethat permeatestheentireuniverse.nowwiththemindelement,wepeekintothecenter ofthoseelectromagneticwavesandseemagneticlinesthatactasguidingforces aroundwhichspinningelectronenergiesfromthespiralsweperceiveas electromagneticenergy. Duringthelastcentury,scienceandtechnologyhaveracedaheadofwisdomandput theseinsightsintopracticalapplications.magnetismhasbeenresearchedand workedwithextensively.thesubiatomicworldoftheelectronhasbeentakenwill undercontrol.sinceitwasdiscoveredthatpulsatingmagneticfieldsproduceda flowfoelectronsthatwecallelectricity,theworldhasbeenturnedontoawhilenew waveofcreativity.generatorsutilizethesepulsatingfieldstogiveustheelectricity wenowuseinamillionways,andoftensimplytakeforgrantedthatitshould alwaysbethereforustouse.electromagneticfieldshavebecomethebaseforjust aboutallofourtechnology.meanwhile,thenucleusoftheatomisbeinguntraveled

221 tocreateaphenomenaltransformationofmatterintoenergyinsuchproportions thatwecannowblowupcities,andproduceenoughelectricitytolightuptheworld. Asthelightgetsbrighter,however,someofusseethatthepurposeofdoingsuch thingsbecomesquestionable. Atadeeperlevel,thismagnetismcanbefoundeverywherewelook.Theearth,for example,hasamagneticfieldthatwealllearnedaboutinschool.iiithenorthpole isupincanadaandthesouthpoleisdowninantarctica,(fig.6a).aroundthese magneticpoles,thephysicalearthspinsincessantly.wehaveutilizedthesepolesto navigateourtravelswiththeuseofcompasses.thereasoncompassesworktheway theydoisbecausetheyalsohavenorthandsouthpoles;infacteverythingdoes. Thankstotechnologicaltoolswecannowlookmoredeeplyintothematerialsideof things.scientistsarmedwiththisprobingcapacityhavedelvedintothestructureof thesmallestparticlesofmattertodiscoverthattheseparticlesalsohavemagnetic fields,evendownatsubatomiclevels.thesefieldsseemtobeanintricatepartofthe universe.whenwelookoutatthelargersideoftheuniverse,wefindthatthesun alsohasthismagneticpolarity,asdoesthesolarsystemandthegalaxy.ifwecould seetheentireuniverseataglancewewouldlikelyfindthesamemagneticpattern.

222 Oneoftheinterestingaspectsofthesemagneticpatternsisthattheytendtoline themselvesup,ascanbeseenwhenacompassneedleautomaticallypointsnorth. Alignmentallowsforaflowofthismagneticenergy,whilealackofalignmenttends tocreateadisturbanceinthemagneticfields.infigure6b,forinstance,thereisan alignmentofonemagneticfieldwiththatoftheearth.theresultisaconnectionof thefieldswiththelinesofforceflowinginparallel.intheyogicviewofenergy,this connectionisunderstoodtofacilitategreaterconductivityinwhateversubstance wearedealingwith.thisalsoappliestoourbodysubstance:thetissuesandcellsof variousorgansandglands,otherfibersofnervetissue.energyflowsfreelythrough uswhenthemagneticaxisofourowncellsisinalignment.experimentsinphysics haveshownthatamagnetplacedinreverseoftheearth smagneticfieldstayswith itsown mini field,outofthegeneralenergeticflow,andthatneutralpointsare createdwherethereisnomagneticforce,becausethefieldsneutralizeeachother. ThepointsmarkedwithanXinthediagram6b&c,illustratetheseneutralzones.It maybefineinalabwithmentalmagnets,butwhenthisoccurswithinthecellsof ourownbodyitcreatedahighresistancetotheenergyflowthroughthatarea.this resistancecanresultinthesecellsbecomingdisconnectedenergeticallyfromthe surroundingtissue.theythengotheirownway,orgrowtheirownway,creating chaosintheotherwiseharmoniousfunctioningofglands,organs,etc.whenthis effectbeginstoinfluenceanareawefeeldisturbed,andifitcontinuesitbecomes manifestasdisiease. Suchtechniquesaspolarizationhavebeendevelopedtochangethesesituationsand bringaboutareconnectionofcellsrightdowntotheirmolecularlevel.magnetism astheprincipalforceofthemindisusedinmuchthesamewaythatanironmagnet

223 isusedtoproduceamagneticflowinanotherpieceofiron(seethe Polarization techniquesinchapter1). Thismagneticlinecanbestraightasanarrow(silence)orcanbewaveringand vibratingtomakethesoundsthatbecomethoughts.whenthemagneticlineofforce beginstowaverandvibrate,itbecomesanelectromagneticwave.(fig.6d)this waveringmayoccurasthemagneticlinescrosseachotheratavarietyofangles, causinginterferencepatternswhichresultinundulatingelectromagneticwaves.as such,thepatternsmanifestaspartoftheelectromagneticspectrumwelookedatin Chapter5.Inthiswholespectrumwefindthevariousfrequenciesthatproducethe phenomenaweperceiveasthefiveelementsofthelowerchakras,(thebuilding blocksthatmakeupearth,water,fireetc.).thesefrequenciesalsoproducethe energyvortexesalongthespinethatgovernourbodilyfunctions.thevibrantlines ofelectromagnetism,andtheforcethatarecreatedbythevariousfrequenciesof thesevibrations,createthesixforcesoutofwhichourphysicalbodyandworldare made.asmentioned,theanglesatwhichtheselinescrosseachotherdeterminethe typeofforcemanifestedandthecharacteristicsofeachofthechakraenergies.what weneedtounderstandatthelevelofthesixthchakraisthattheselinesall interweavetoformcertainpatternsinourmind,(theholographicimagesthatmake uptheseedsinourmind),andthattheseareinfacttheguidelinesthatweave togetherthefabricoftheuniverse.someofthesepatterns,mostlyprojected subconsciously,makeupthepicturesweprojectasreality.someofthemare

224 conscious,butthatisasmallminority,saidtobe10%ascomparedwiththe90% thatisconsideredtobeunconscious.thegoalinyogaistobecomeconsciousof bothsides. ThefullmoonisoneofthesymbolsusedinYantraYogaforthischakra:onlyone sideisfull,theothersideisdark.thefullnessofthelightontheoneside,compared tothecrescentmoonusedinthesecondchakrasymbol,indicatesthegreater perceptionwhichcanbeachievedatthislevel.dualitybeginsintherealmofthe sixthchakra,remindingusthatboththelightsideandthedarksideofeverythingis important.abovethischakrawefindtheoneuniversalenergyfieldthatmakesup theelectromagneticocean:acontinuumofmagnetic,interconnectedlines.asour consciousnessexpandsinthesehigherchakrasourperceptionbecomesmore unifiedandweseethelargerpictureoftheuniverse.butatlevelsixwebeginto focus,andthatmeanslookingatoneparttotheexclusionoftherest,examininga pieceofthepuzzle,oronepieceatatime. Anothersymbolusedfortheperceptionofthemindisthefullcircle.Whenwesplit thecircleandslidethebottomhalftotheright,weendupwithwhatlooksmorelike asinewaveinelectronics,havingacrestandatrough,oneequaltoandoppositethe other.(fig.6f) ThecrestandthroughbalanceeachotheroutIIIabalancingactthatisalwayspart ofthesixthchakra.becauseenergyinevitablymoveswiththisbalancingofforces, theyinandyangofitarealwaysbacktoback,handinhand.(infactifyoutakethis waveandstretchitoutfarenough,itbecomesastraightline,alsocalledaflatline. Whenflat,thelinegoesbacktobeingamagneticlineofforce.)Meanwhile,whatwe havehereisthebeginningofduality.thesideofthewavethatusupturnsintothe positive,whilethesidethatisdowncanonlybecomethenegative.oppositesare born,leadingusintothisworldwhereeverythinghasitsopposite:day/night,

225 black/white,male/female,up/down,past/future,proton/electron,etc.inthe ChineseviewthisisrepresentedbytheYin/Yangsymbol.IntheHinduversionof thechakraswefindandrogynousshiva,adeityhalfmale,halffemale. Whatwefindasthefirstdivisioninthemindisthatofconscious/subconscious. WhathashappenedintheWesterneducationalsystem,withitshighemphasison logical,rationalthinking,isthatourfeelingandintuitiveaspectsbecamemostly subconscious.thisisourfemininenature,thehalfofourmindthathasremainedin thedark.fortunately,thetimesarechanging,thefeminineelementisreawakening, andthewestisonthewaytobecomingmorebalanced. ENDOCRINE,GLAND, Inadditiontotheintegrativeactionofthenervoussystem,controlofvariousbody functionsisexertedbytheendocrineglands,asihavementionedinprevious chapters.theseglandsarecentersofchemicalactivitygovernedbyimpulsesfrom thebrainontheonehand,andheldincheckandbalancethroughconstantfeedback fromthechemicalstorehouseofhormonesandneuroprptidesthatisflowing throughthebodyatalltimes.animportantpartofthissystem,thepituitarygland, liesatthebaseofthebrain.theenergyofthesixthchakragovernsthepituitary. Thismasterglandsecretesavarietyofhormoneswhichhaveadirectinfluenceon alloftheotherendocrineglands,includingthefollowing:

226 (1) Ahormonethatstimulatesthethyroidglandandcontrolsitssecretionof thyroxin,whichdictatestherateatwhichallcellsutilizeoxygen,and subsequently,basiccellmetabolism. (2) Ahormonethatcontrolsthesecretionofhormonesintheadrenalgland, whichinfluencethemetabolismofcarbohydrates(acth),sodiumand potassium,andcontroltherateatwhichsubstancesareexchangedbetween bloodandtissuefluid;oneofthepituitaryhormonesregulatestheretention ofwaterbythekidneys.(adh) (3) Substances(neuropeptides)thatcontrolthesecretionintheovariesof estrogenandprogesteroneandthecreationinthetesticlesoftestosterone; (FSM,LH) (4) Thesomatotropic,orgrowthhormone,whichcontrolstherateof developmentoftheskeletonandlargeinteriororgansthroughitseffecton themetabolismofproteinsandcarbohydrates;thishormonecontrolsgrowth byregulatingtheamountofnutrientstakenintocells.thegrowthhormone alsoworkswithinsulintocontrolthelevelofbloodsugar. (5) Aninsulinregulator,therebyindirectlybalancingbloodsugarmetabolism. (6) Aswell,theposteriorlobeofthepituitarysecretesvasopressin,whichacts onthekidneytocontrolthevolumeofurine,whichresultsinthepassingof largevolumesofurine. (7) Theposteriorlobealsoproducesoxytocin,whichcausescontractionof smoothmuscleintheintestinesandsmallarteriesandisusedtobringabout contractionsoftheuterusinchildbirth,andsubsequentlytostimulatethe productionofmilkinthemammaryglands. Thepituitaryisconsideredthemasterglandbecauseitdictatesandregulatesthe outputofalltheotherendocrineglands;consequentlyitregulatesthefunctionof mostglandsandorgansinthebody.neuropeptideproductionisarecentdiscovery inscience,yetasthisdiscoveryismappedoutitcanbeseenthattheirdirectives comefromtheupperregionsofourbeing.thebrainwithitsmultitudeofthought patternshasahighdegreeofinfluenceonimmediatebrainchemistry,whichthen impactsourbodychemistry.bodychemistryhasmoreinfluenceonhowwefeel physicallyandemotionally,feelingsthatcannothelpbutinfluenceourthoughts.the connectionbetweenmindandbodyisinseparable,justasmuchasheadandbody areinseparable. PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS, Theareaofthemind/bodythatisgovernedmostdirectlybythisenergyvortexis out thinkingorgan, thecerebrumandfrontalsectionsofthebrain,particularlya nervegroupcalledthecavernousplexus.itisinthiscenterthatawarenesscan directtheactionsofthemind,andfromthose,theactionsofthebody.someofthese

227 actionsareveryconsciousanddetermined,whileothersaredirectedbystored informationfromtherealmwecallthesubconsciousmind.thelibraryof informationcontainedinthissubconsciousincludesallofourpastexperiencesas wellasfantasiesthathavecomefromothersources(tv,books,stories,etc.).itis perhapsunfortunatethattheimagesrecordedinherehaveanimpactuponour stateofmindaswellasuponbodyfunctions.isaythismostlybecausetheinfluence ofmodernmediaisgenerallyslantedtothenegative.thisnegativemediainfluence uponthesubconsciousmindcouldpotentiallybychangedintopositiveimagesby turningintothe YogaChannel. Inordertocorrectlyutilizethischakraweneedtoeradicatethenegative expectationsandbeliefswemayhaveaccumulatedovertheyearsandreplacethem withpositiveimagesandabeliefsystembasedupontherealityoftheenergyworld. Inthiswaywenotonlychangeourmentalpatternsbutalsoaffectourphysiological functionsthroughtheelectrochemicalconnectionsmadeatthechakracentersas wellastheglandsconnectedtoeachenergeticvortex.relationsbetweenthought patternsandbrainchemistryarejustrecentlybeingresearchedinthewestthough thatlinkhaslongbeenknownineasternthinking.whatresearchersarefindingout aboutbrainandbodychemistryistrulyfascinatingaswerealizethatthe neuropeptides,hormonesandenzymesarereallygoverningmuchoftheprocesses occurringinourbodiesandminds,aswellasmostofwhatwefeelasemotions. JNANENDRIYA, Inthesixthchakra,withintherealmofthemind,isthebrainwithallofitsvaried functions.wecouldlookatitasourcentralcomputer;thecerebruminparticular couldbeconsideredthecenterfromwhichthecommandsaregiven.here,allofthe sensoryinformationfromeachofthesensebelowisgatheredandprocessed.within thisprocessweformulateaperceptionoftherealityinwhichwefindourselves. Whatweseeandexperienceintheouterworldisinfactafabricationmadeupof thesensoryinformation,togetherwithpastimpressionsfromourmemory.thereis asmuchexpectationinwhatweexperienceasthereisactualsensoryperceptionof themoment.inourlongprocessofgrowingupwelearntoperceivelifeincertain ways,justaswelearntointerpretcertainsoundsasalanguage.duringthetimewe arelearningtointerpret,manypatternsareformulatedwithinthebrain.afterthat time,mostofwhatweexperiencetendstofallintoourpatternsofpastexperiences, sothatwefirstrecognizeobjectsintheworldaroundus,thenwesitcomfortablyin reality,aswe know it.muchofourexperienceofbeing inthisworld isheld within,andmanifestedfrom,theexpectationsinoursubconsciousmind. Inthedevelopmentofthischakraitisnecessarytogodeeplyintotheperceptionsof howthemindworks,notsimplylookattheresultsofour thinking. Thereisalotto it themindislikeaverycomplicatedcomputer yetitdoesoperateonsomebasic principlesthatcanbeunderstood.oneofthefirstthingswemightdiscoverabout

228 themindisthedualityprincipleimentionedearlier.itisherethatwejudgethings tobegoo/bad,pleasant/unpleasant,likesanddislikesandavarietyofother categories.thesensesthemselvesworkmuchonthissameprinciple,continually distinguishingbetweenheat/cold,light/dark,etc. Letusjustgodeeperintothesensesthemselvesforamoment.Inthisphotofrom Thailand,weseethemindgameportrayedasacharioteerwithateamoffive horses.eachofthosehorsesrepresentsoneofthesenseswantingtopullthemind itsownway.thechariotisthemind,whilethedriverisconsciousness.inthe normalfunctioningoftheworldthesensesdopullourmindsinmanydifferent directions.weseesomethingattractive,welooktwicethenwethinkaboutit,or fantasize,orcompareittosomethingelseetc.thenewhearsomemusicandit remindsusofatimewhenwewereteenagersandwefirstheardit;again,weget lostinmemoriesforawhile.aswearewalkingalongdaydreaming,ourfeettrip overanobjectonthesidewalkandweswearatthepersonwhomayhaveleftit there andonitgoesfromonethingtothenext.thesearethehorsespullingusall overtheplace.consciousnessiswanderingaroundhypnotizedbytheconstant streamofeventsthatvirtuallyhasnoend.thisancientchariotsymbolisalsoused inthebhagavadgitainindia,andwasalsoanancientgreeksymbol.inyogaitis consideredimportanttoorganizethosehorsesintoateamandsteerthemintoone directioniiioneinwhichyouwouldliketogo.inthiswaywestoppayingattention toeverydistractionfromthesensesandfocusourminds,therebybecomingthe driverratherthansittinginthebackseatinavehiclethatreallyhasnodriveratall. Accordingtothescienceofyogathereare18sensesfeedingthemindalmostallthe time.elevenofthoseareexternalsensesconnectinguswiththeworldoutthere; sevenofthemarepsychicsensesthatgiveusadeeperinnerknowledgeaboutwhat

229 isgoingonatamorecosmiclevel.theexternalsensesareasfollows:sight,,sound,, smell,,taste,,touch,and,tactile,pressure,,heat,and,cold,,pain,,muscular, coordinators,and,balance,,thirst,,hunger,,and,sex,drive.eachofthesesensesisa perceptionintisownrightandrequiresreactionsandadjustments,andsometimes willevenstimulateawareness.ifoneofthesesensesdoesnotawakenawareness, thenareactionmaybemadefromafullysubconsciouslevel.thesensationofcold, forexample,willautomaticallycreatearesponsetogeneratemoreheatby increasingmetabolism.weneednotthinkaboutdoingthis;itcomesnaturally.we mightnoticeitwhenitgetsextremeenoughtomakeusshiveriiianautoiresponse thatcreatesmoreheat.anotherexampleiswhenhungerisfeltandwereactby eating.ourreactionstoeatingmaybequitehabitual,andthewholedigestive processthatfollowsisautomaticandselfiregulating. Alltoooftenthishappenstogoalittletoofarandkeepsusmovingandbehavingin thenormalworldasaconditionedbeing,movedbypastilearnedpatternsorwhat arecalledsamskarasinsanskrit.thesesamskarasarewhatconstituteourkarma,or keepuswalkingalongourkarmicpath.asimpleanalogywouldbeourtendencyto eatcertainfoods,whethertheyarehealthyornot:thekarmacreatedmaybebad health,butinignorancewecontinuedoingit.byobservationanddiscrimination appliedinour thinkingorgan, (brain),whereallthisinformationisprocessed,we canseewhatneedstochangeandinitiatetherequiredtransformation. Thesensegeneratedbythiswholeenergyvortexisthatofperceptionitself,literally the sixthsense.whenperceptionisfocusedontheears,wehear;ontheeyes,we see,ontouchwefeel.allofthesecomeintobeperceivedthroughthemind.this integratedsenseisalsothe thirdeye, theoneinside,whichcanseerightthrough whateverappearancewehavebeforeus.externallythismeansnoticingthesights andsoundsoftheworld,buttheinnerversionofperceptionbecomesalmost uncanny,becauseitseemstohavenolimit.insomecasesthiscanleadto hallucinogenicstates,andtheindividualmayrequiresometrainingtodiscriminate theinnerfromtheouterworld.oncetheaddictiontothinkinghasbeenbroken,all ofthemoresubtlepsychicsensesopenupsothatexperiencescanbeobserved throughdirectperception,withoutanyoftheothersenseinvolved.adeeper understandingoflifecanthendevelop. INNER,SENSES, IntheHinduversionofthischakratheydescribeasixIfacedwitchcalledHakini, whositesontopoftheelevenworldlysenses,inhibitingourawarenessand preventingusfromperceivingthesevenhighersenses.thisisnottobeseenasthe wickedwitchofthewestbyanymeansiiithisfeminineforcerepresents,rather,the alluringbeautyoftheworldandtheattractioncreatedtowardsthatbeauty.hakini s sixfacesshowusthatsheperceivestheinformationcominginfromthesensesofall sixchakras.shekeepsushappilyinvolvedinthenormalworldtothepointwhere

230 wearequitebusyrespondingandreacting,anddon tnoticethemoresubtleseven sensethatmightgiveusawholedifferentideaofwhatisgoingonatanygiventime. Thishasaverypositivesidebecauseifwewerelookingatthepersoninfrontofus andsuddenlysawthemasamassofvibratingmoleculesitwouldbeveryhardto relatetothem.thevibrantmoleculesareclosertothetruthexplainedinquantum physics,butnotapracticalwaytobeperceivingdailylife.inhighermeditational experiencesthismayhaveitsplace,andifwecanmakeitpasthakini spowerful inhibitingforce,welearntoperceivetheinnermostsenses andthesehigher senseshavemuchmoretodowiththedevelopmentofthehighermindthandothe senseofthebodyimind.thisstateofhigherperceptiongenerallyrequiresguidance asweseethenormalworldmeltdownintothevariousfrequenciesoftheenergy world.inthemeantime,hakiniandtheother witches ofthechakrasarethereto keepussaneandfunctional.thesevensensessheinhibitsarepartofthemindthat doesnotattachitselftothebody,soinourperceptionofthesesenseswearenot limitedtothenormalspaceitimethatcontainsthebodyandlowermind. ThesenseHakiniinhibitsare:clairvoyance,,clairaudience,,inner,taste,,inner, balance,and,movement,,a,psychovsympathetic,sense,having,to,do,with,feelings, and,impressions,about,people,,a,sense,of,identification,with,others,which, produces,sympathy,and,empathy,,and,a,sense,of,higher,compassion.the inhibitivepowersaidtobehakini sisinrealityaforceworkingwithinourown mindstokeepusbusyprocessingalloftheinputsfromtheworldinwhichwelive. Thereisalwaysalotgoingoninthelivesofmostpeople,andittakesalotofmental energytofigureitalloutandkeepanintegratedpictureofthescenesweare involvedin.themoresubtlesensesrequireahigherstateofawarenessandacalm mindthatislistening.thisleveloflisteningiswhatisachievedinastateof meditation,butsomanypeopledon ttakethetimeforthat.wearegenerally captivatedbytheloudturmoilofactivitiesanddon tnoticethegentlyvoiceof feelingsandtelepathicimpressions,intuition,orthesubtlesoundsoftheuniversal energyfields.besides,wehaveneverbeentaughttotruththosekindsoffeelings, norhavewebeentaughtthattheyevenhaveanyvalue.thesesensesareoftenvery aliveinwomen,infacthavebeenreferredtoas women sintuition,andoften dismissedassuchbyprevailingmasculineideology.thelowersensesaremuch moretangibleandexplainabletoothersiiithereisnoquestionwhenwestickout handinthefirewefeeltheheatandthepain.butwhenyoufeelsomeoneelse spain orhaveanintuitivefeelingaboutthem howdoyouknowthetruthofit? Alittlemorefamiliaritywiththesehighersensesmightbeinorderhere,sincethese senseswillgraduallydevelopwiththepracticeofyoga. Clairvoyanceisaveryvisualsensethathasalwaysbeenassociatedwiththe third eye. Itisnotlimitedtothepresent,andcomestomanypeopleintheirdreams, thoughassuchitisoftenmixedinwithalotofmentalprocessing.itisaneyeof perceptionthatisnothavelimitedtothisworld;ithasaconnectiontoguruharidya Manas,theinnerteacher(seeChakra4).

231 Clairaudienceisasimilarinternalsensetothatabove,butthisoneisauditory, comingaswordsoravoice justlikethinking.itislikeathirdear.telepathyisone ofthewordsusedtodescribethissenseinthewest.assuchitcanbeavery confusingsense whenwehearotherpeople sthought,forinstance,without knowingwhereitcomesfrom.thisonealsocanbeconnectedtoguruharidya Manas,butitrequiressometraining.Please-note-that-both-of-these-senses-sometimes- develop-spontaneously,-leading-to-confusion-and-perhaps-a-label-from- professionals - of-schizophrenia,-when-a-person-starts-seeing-or-hearing-things-which-are-not-there. WhereasintheEasttheevolutionoftheseinnermentalfacultiesishighlyrespected andcultivatedwithcarefulguidancefromanenlightenedbeing,inthewestitmay beconsideredamentaldiseaseandsuppressedwithdrugs.asaresultofthiskindof thinking,yogastudentsarecautionedabouttalkingtojustanyoneabouttheirinner experiences.thesamediscriminationisusedineasterntrainingwhereoneis advisedtospeakofsuchmatterswithfellowstudentsortheteacher. Theinnertastereferstoourinternalknowledgeaboutthefoodsweeatandtheir effectonourhealth,aninstinctivefeelaboutherbs,berries,andthemedicinal propertiesofsuchfoods.becauseofourcivilizedappetitesandoverindulgedtaste budswehavelostmostofitsintuitiveinput,e.g.pastries,friedfoods,chocolatebars andpop. Innerbalanceandmovementhastodowithourorientationinthementalworld,a sensethatdevelopswithsuchtechniquesasthepanchasahitaanditsdirections,or inothercenteringtechniques. ThepsychoIsympatheticsenseisliketelepathicfeelingwegetaboutpeople,asto whethertheyaretellingthetruthornot,forexample. Sympathyandempathyarebasicallyonesensethatallowsustofeelwhatthe personwearewithisfeeling.thatfeelingmaybeemotionaloritmightevenbe quitephysical;thesensecandeveloptofairlyhighaccuracy.ittoocanbeconfusing atthebeginningandonemustbecarefulnotto takeon thefeelingsofothersas one sown. Thelastsenseofhighercompassionstemsfromthesympatheticside,goingbeyond feelingsorryforsomeonetofeelingcompassion,withahigherawarenessofwhat theyaregoingthroughontheirspiritualjourney. ThisspiritualjourneyisanawarenessIexpandingprocessthatlastsmanylifetimes, requiringconsciousdecisionandactiononourpart.withoutourparticipation,life cangoonforalongtimeatamostlysubconsciouslevel.wearegenerallyassessed asbeingabout10%conscious,whiletherealmofthesubconsciousisgranteda significant90%.agoodreasonforthiscomesbacktothequestionoffocus.looking atthemindasourcentralcomputer,wewillseethatthereisalotofinformation cominginromeachofthesensesallthetime.imagineifwewereawareofeachcell ofeverymusclewewereusingaswewalkedalongabusysidewalk,eachcell

232 contactingandlengtheningwitheverystep.thesensationswouldbeoverwhelming, sincetherearezillionsofcellsinourbody.atthesametimewemightbehearingall oftheconversationsgoingonaroundus,clearlyseeingeverythinginourfieldof vision,smellingeachflower,plantandperson sscent,whiletastingthemuffinwe werechewing.wewouldbesooverloadedthatwecouldnotfunction. Theuniversehasdesigneduswithcertainmentalcapabilitiesthatallowallofthese thingstobehappeningatthesametime.oneoftheseotheraspectswithinthemind, representedbytheorangesixisidedfigureinthemandala,iscalledthereticular activatingsystem(depictedasthesixifacedwitchhakiniinthehinduversionofthe chakras).thissmallconicalpartofthebrainiswhatcensorstheinformation comingintothebrain.withoutitwewouldnotbeabletoconcentrateonanythingat all,beingconstantlybombardedbyaconstantsteamofimpulsesfromeachandall ofthe18senses.sothefunctionofthissystemistoallowonlywhatisrelevantto ourpresentchoiceofawarenesstoentertheconsciousrealm;othersensory informationisshuntedintothesubconscioustobedeathwithbytheautopilot. Inourphysicalbrainthisautomatedfunction(autopilot)isdelegatedtothearea knownasthecerebellum,andwhichiscalledthebrainstem.manipurachakra,with itsactionandlearnedbehavior,isconsideredtogovernthissectionofthebrain. Amongthemanyfunctionsofthissubconsciousautopilotaresuchthingsas heartbeat,breathing,metabolism,digestion,etc.aswegrowupandlearntodo moreactivities,theactionsalsobecomeautomatedandweonlyneedtodecidetodo them;theprocessremainslargelysubconscious.forthemajorityofusthishasgone toofar.inoureducationalsystemtherewassomuchemphasisplacedupon thinking andgainingknowledgethatwehaveallowedalmosteverythingelsetogo unnoticed.mostofthesensationsofthemomentgobyuswithajudgmentof insignificancebecausewearetoopreoccupiedwithcontemplating more important things.itisgreatthatwehavelearnedtofocussowellonthinkingand memory,butishasbeenattheexpenseoffeelingourbodies.infactithasbeen morecostlythanwerealize,sinceallofthismentalfocushasoftencausedustohold ourbreath(withoutevennoticing).theseunconsciousbreathretentionsformulate unhealthybreathingpatternsandcreateanoxygenshortage,whichleadstoa multitudeofphysicalproblems. InthefieldofHathaYogathefocusisturnedbackontoourphysicalbodiessothat wemaynotonlyenhancebodyfunctionsbutalsolearntoenjoythefeelingswith whichitprovidesus.simplybreathingdeeplyandfeelingthatactioncanbevery pleasantandrewarding,infactitdevelopsintosomethingquiteblissful. TheYantrasymbolforthischakraoveralllookslikeaneyewithacircularcenter andtwosidestakingtheshapeofpetals.thesetwosidesrepresenttheleftandright hemispheresofthebrainatthephysiologicallevel,whileatthementallevelthey standfortheintellectualandintuitiveaspects,themasculineandfeminine,thinking andfeeling.builtintothethinking(left)sideofthebrainisrationalthought,logic, language,mathematicsandgeometry.onthefeeling(right)sideofthebrainisthe

233 directperceptionofenergymovement,whichcreatesallthefeelingswehave,from themostsensitivetouchtothemoresubtlepsychicsensesthatcanletusseeright throughpeople.themathematicalsideisnotblindeither,asitallowsustoseethe universalstructureofthingsthroughtheformsofthegeometricmandalaswhose energypatternsarethebasicblueprintforthemanifestedworld.withtherightuse ofbothcomplementaryhalvesofthemindeverythingcanbeknownand understood,sothattruewisdomdevelops. Thinkingandfeelingcancomplementeachotherquitewell,butgenerallytheytend tostandinoppositionbecauseofouroneisided thinking education.manymales, whogofarwiththeirthinkingtendencyandtheoreticalideas,havelargelylost touchwiththeirfeelings.thiscreatesanimbalancewhichdrivesthemtosearchfor somekindoffeelingexperience.forthelongesttimetheironlysocialoutletfor feelinghasbeensex.nothingelsewassociallyacceptableformr.macho.the resultingsociety,dividedintothinkersandfeelers,hasreachedapointwhere communicationbetweenthetwoisdifficultbecauseeachoneissofaroutona separatelimbthatitishardtoseetheyareonthesametree.thisdivisioncanbe seenfromthecenterwherethepowerofaunifiedmindcombinestheperceptions ofthoughtandfeelingintooneexperience.thoughtandfeelingarepolesapart,and minddoesnotfunctionwellasapolarizedentityinoppositiontoitself.the magneticforceofthesixthchakraiswhatpullsthepolesbacktogether. KARMENDRIYA KeepinginmindthatAjnaisthemindelement,wewillnowconsidertheactionswe performwithourminds.aswesawinthesenseperceptions,jnanendriyas,thereis alotgoingonhere,ascomparedwiththeuniisenseofeachofthelowerchakras. Ajnachakraisbyallmeansandbyalldefinitions,thesixthsense.Justastheintake ofperceptionsismultiifaceted,sotheactionsandreactionsofthismindelementare

234 manysided.infact,thesevensensesthatreceiveinformation,alsotransmitit.the thirdeye isasmuchamovieprojectorasitisacamera. Indevelopingthiscenteranditstransmittingqualities,manycautionshavebeen noteddownthroughtheagesbecauseofthe(possible)perilousnatureofactively projectingourownthoughts.manyofushavegrownupinanonienlightened society,afflictedbydisease,dishonestyandviolence,andnowweseesomuchof thisontvthattheoverallimpactofthisonourmindsisradicallydifferentfromthe influenceoftheyogiccivilizationsofthepast.asaresult,thereisafairlyhigh instanceofdiseasethoughts,accidentthoughts,andcrimescenes(fromtv)inthe mindsofourfellowbeings.whathappenswhentherearepickedoutofthe subconsciousreservoirandprojectedoutward?weendupwiththemanifestation ofthosedisease.takealookaroundattheskyrocketingcancerratesinasocietyof educatedpeoplewho know alotaboutcancer.wefirmly believe itisareal threat,nottomentionhowrealtheillnessis.sowhatareourexpectationsasa result? Inthegreattemplesoftheancientworld,wecanmostoftenfindclearreferenceto theintrospectivepracticeswhichtheyappliesintheirlives.lookingintothefour directionsofthemindcametobeanintegralpartofwhattheyalldid,asaselfstudy methodnecessarytopenetratetheinnerrealms.infigure6i,wecanclearlyseethe thirdeyeofthebuddhailikefigure.thisisoneofthe216massiveiconsatangjor BayoninCambodia,54ofwhichlookoutineachofthefourdirections. Greatimportancewasgiventothedevelopmentoftheseinnerfacultieswhilethe initiates,whowentthroughtheprocess,wereraisedtoahigherstatus.atthetopof theladderwasthekind,consideredtobeadivinebeingwithavisionthatcouldlead thenationtogreatplaces.thesegodikings,astheyaresometimescalled,werenot tyrantswhoruledslaveswithwhipsandswords,butrather,enlightenedbeingswho werelovedandadmiredbythepeopletheyled.theywereeducatedtobeintouch withthedivineorderoftheuniversesothatpeoplelookeduptothemforlightand guidance. Duringtheenlighteningeducationtheyreceived,thedivinerulerswerenotonly trainedinthesensitivenatureoftheinnerpsychicsenses,butalsoguidedinthe finerartsofdirectedthenationbydirectingtheirownthoughts.suchaneducation alwaysprovedtoeachallengingendeavor;thosewhomanagedtoconquertheir mindshadbecomemastersofthemselvesandwerehighlyrespectedasadvanced beingswithpowersrequiredformakingdeicisionsandleadingpeople.ofcourse, theycouldalsoinflucenanddirectotherpeople smindswhennecessary.suchwere thegodikingsofold:thekindsofthailandandcambodia,therajasofindia,the PharaohsofEgypt,theProphetsofIsrael,theTrueManoftheMayans,theChiefsof NativeAmerica. OneofthepracticesusedinEgyptisreferredtoasaffirmativethinking.Itissimilar todoingaffirmationsinmoderndaylanguage,butthenthemindwastrainedto

235 thinkinawaythatinvolveddirectingthethoughtprocesswithasmuchcontroland attentionasonedrivesavehiclein21 st centurytraffic:youdon tletgoofthe steeringwheel.thesethoughtswerecarefullyputtogetherandprojectedwithan energythatgavethempowertomanifestinthematerialworld.thisisavery differentformofthoughtfromtherandomthinkingofmoderndaypeople.ifour randomthoughtswereconstantlymanifestedbeforeoureyesmostofuswouldbe inserioustroublemuchofthetime.thisgoesforourverbalthoughtsaswellasour visualthoughts.theskyrocketingcancerratesareanexample;wereadaboutit, hearaboutitfrompeopleweknow,wewonderaboutitinourselves,fearit,andthe possibleexpectationisthere.thentherearetheaccidentscenesformtv,they maybesubconsciousforthemostpart,aseverythingisrecordedinthe subconscious,butwhenthesepopupintotheconsciousmindatwhatitdeemsan appropriatetime manifestation Thetwoaspectsofmindcanworkaswelltogetherasourtwohands,butobviously weneedtocleanupouract.oncethathasbeenaccomplishedwecanbeginusing ourvisualprocessto imagine acertainevent,healingforinstance,sendingthat image totherecipientinneed,propelledwiththepowerofsound. Asthefletcherwhittlesandmakesstraighthisarrows sothemasterformulatesanddirectshisthoughts (Buddha)- TheBuddhaknewaboutthis,asdidtheYogis,andthoserulerswejustmentioned. Thepowerofthemindisnothingnew;ithasalwaysworkedforus oragainstus. WejustneedtorealizethatthisprojectionIlikefunctionofthethirdeyeisjustas realastheseeingabilityofourothertwoeyes.withtwoeyesweperceivethe world,withtheotherwepartakeincreatingit.whenwecometothatrealizationin ourownexperiencewecanassumetheresponsibilitytodirectourlivesandwhat happens tousinapositiveandproductiveway.ontheyogicpathwebeginvery simplybyvisualizingourselvesashealthyhumans,puttingthattogetherwithactive techniquestomakeithappen.intuitionwillstepinandshowuswhatweneedto seeandfeelaboutourselves,alsoanycorrectionsorimprovementsweneedto make.followingthat,wecanimaginemakingthechanges andtheresults,back thatupwiththerequiredphysicalconditionandcreatetheresultswewant.

236 Imaginationismoreimportantthanknowledge. Albert-Einstein- Knowingthattherootofthewordimaginationis image, remindsusthatthese imageswecreateinourmindsare,orcanbe,moresignificantthanjustpassing fantasies.throughyogictechniques,(andothermethods),theycanbeempowered tothepointofmanifestingintherealityofthematerialworld.thiscanbeginwith creatingbetterhealthforourselves,proceedtomanifestingabundanceandonfrom there.themethodsofempowermentinvolvedherearedirectlyrelatedtothesixth chakra,ofcourse,andareelaborateduponinthelevel2&3teacher straining,once thestudenthasclearedthesubconsciousmindofitsweeds. Asanillustrationoftheabovemethodofusingimagery,letmegiveyouanexample frommyownexperience.backin1985ihadtheexperienceofcuttingintomyleft footwithachainsawwhileworkingonalogbuildingproject.thechainsawwent downtotheboneofmybigtoe,teachingawaytheflesh,tendonandnervesthat wereinitspath.(perhapsihadenvironedthispossibilitywhileworkingtwelve hourswithadangeroustool).atanyrate,myfriendsrushedmetothelocalhospital tobestitchedup,atwhichtimeitwasnearmidnight.thedoctoroncallsaidshe couldstitchuptheskinbutthatthetendonwouldrequirefurthersurgeryatalarger hospitalifieverwantedtomovethattoeagain.thechainsawhadrippedachunk outofthetendonandlefttworayedendsthathadspringbacktoalmostaninch apart.theywouldneedtobepulledbacktogetherandreiattached.inwestern medicineitisnotconsideredpossiblethatitcouldreiconnectandhealbyitself.for me,apracticingyogiofsixteenyearsatthatpoint,theideaofgoingforsurgerydid notfitin. WhatIdidinsteadwasgobackdowntomylittlecabininthewoods,withmynew crutches,andbeginvisualizingthetendongrowingback.firstofalliimaginedit beingthere,thenbroughtpranatoitbyfeelingtheenergyflowalongthetendonto thetoeontheinibreath,andbacktothefootontheoutibreath.thispracticeidid severaltimesadayforperhapstenminuteseachtime.theothertechnique,also practicedseveraltimesaday,consistedofimagininggoingintherewithaneedle andthreadandpullingitthrougheachpartofthetendon,thenpullingittightsothe endswouldcometogether. DuringthisperiodIdidnottellanyonewhatIwasdoing,Isimplyfocusedondoing itandhadnodoubtsinmymindthatitcouldbedone.ifithoughtofmovingmytoe Iwouldinstantlygetsharppainsrightthroughit,untiltheendofthetwoweeks, whenthepainnolongercameandicouldmovethetoeagain.asaresultofthis

237 chainsawepisode,icametorealizethepowerofimagination.ihadthefoundation ofyearsofaverystrongyogapractice,andduringthattimehadclearedmanyfears anddoubts,allowingforthedevelopmentofastrongbeliefsystem. Thissystemofbeliefsneedstobebuiltfromthegroundupinyoga,foundedonthe scientificknowledgeoftheenergyworld;then,wecancometothatdeep understandingthatmindisovermatter. CHARACTERISTICS, Thesixthchakraendowstheindividualwithacompetentmind,goodperception andobservationskills,whilealsoprovidingintuitiveinsightsinallsituations.the drawbacksmaybeinseeingtoomuchoftheunexpressedandwantingto understandeverything. Whenthisenergyisflowingandbalanced: 1. Goodbalanceofintellect,intuitionandinsight,veryperceptive. 2. Mayhaveagoodunderstandingoflife,belevelImindedandcalm,andhave goodmemory. 3. Imaginationcanbeverygood,leadingtoinventivenessandinspiration. 4. Goodcreativevisualizationandcapabilityofmanifestingintoreality. 5. Awareoffeelingsaswellasthought. 6. Usuallyquiteforgivingandcompassionate. 7. Capableandreliable. 8. Psychicsenseseasilydeveloped,oftenwithgoodbalance. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. Mindtooactiveinanalysis,judgmentandcomparisonofeverything. 2. Maybetoopsychicandunabletoprocesstheinformationcomingin;canlead tomentalimbalance. 3. Innervisionleadingtodelusionandhallucination;paranoiamayarise. 4. Dreamworldmaybetoostrongandboundarieswithrealityunclear. 5. Maybestubbornandungovernablewithanunforgivingattitude. 6. Maybecomedisagreeable,withapersonalitythatissnobbishand superior. Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: 1. Poorimagination,probablynorverycreative. 2. Notmuchabilityinvisualizingorcomprehendingthings. 3. Dullofmind,memorynotgreatinintellectualcontent. 4. Poorintuitiveandpsychicskills,notveryintunewithpeopleorsituations.

238 5. Maybeindecisive,incapable,unreliable. 6. Concentrationmaybedifficulttoachieve. MENTAL,DIRECTION, ThedirectionforAjnachakraisup.Sky,heaven,yourpersonceiling howeverhigh thatmayormaynotbe iswherethisenergytakesyou.haveyoueverheardthe skyisthelimit?well,beyondtheskyyoucanseetheentireuniverse,soconsider whattheuniversalvisionisforhumanityandcomparethattoyourselfiimage. Considerhowmuchimpactthemindanditsimageshaveontheentirebody.Inthe lightofmodernresearchinendocrinology,itiswellworthlookingintoyour expectationsforyourself.everythoughtscounts:conflictingthoughtsmaycancel outeachother;harmoniousandcompatiblethoughtsmaydevelopintosomething veryreal.becomeawareofwhatyourmindisdoing.areyourthoughtsabout yourselfinharmonywithyourfeelingsaboutyourself?areyousobusythinking thatyoucannotfeelyourownheartbeat?thesearethetypeofconceptsthatneedto beresolvedinthechakraofthemind.balanceshouldbeattainedbetweenthe feelingsandperceptionsofthebodyandemotions,andthethoughtsandideasof theintellectualmind.whatcanresultisharmonyandpeaceatadeepinternallevel, atthecenterofyourbeing,yourwholebeing.thetypeofyogabestsuitedforthis energyenfoldmentisyantrayogawhichbringsadeepunderstandingoftheenergy patterns,timecycles,andastructureoftheunfoldinguniverse,leavingonetrusting intheprocessoflifeandfreefromworry. YANTRA,YOGA, AYantraisoftendepictedasageometricformofinterlacedtriangles,asinSri Yantra.Theyogawhichworkswithsuchgeometryiscalledbythatname:Yantra Yoga.IthasitssourceinenergypatternsformulatedbythemultiIintersecting magneticandelectromagneticenergiesoftheuniverse.theseenergiesareforever convergingintochangingpatternswecallyantraormandalas.studyofthe geometricdetailsmanifestedbytheseinflowingwavesofenergyisattheheartof Yantra.Itisreallysacredgeometry,orwecouldsayitreally,issacredgeometry.As thisenergymovesintotheworldandcrystalizesintomatterwecansometimessee thepatternsofthiscosmicgeometryiiiincrystalsforexample,orinthegentle unfoldingofflowers,ortheweavingofthespider sweb. JustasintheWestgeometryiscloselylinkedwithmathematics,thegeometric formsinyantraareseentobecomposedoflines,curvesandangleswhichhave measurabledistancesandvalues.thetimesanddistancesthatelectromagnetic wavestravelcanbecalculated,theanglesofintersectionobserved;thefrequencyof vibrationforthewavescanbeknown,theireffectsnotedandpredicted.thishas led,overthemillennia,toacalendarsystemthatlaysouttheforceswithwhichwe havetowork,yearbyyear,monthbymonthanddaybyday.

239 Differenttypesorfrequenciesofenergyhavedifferenteffectsonus.Thoughit becomescomplexduetothevarietyofinterminglingforcesaffectingusmostofthe time,thereareninebasicforcesthatworkthroughus.intheirsimpleaspectswe cancometoknowandunderstandthem.thesearetheforcesthemayansreferred toastheninelordsoftime. 1.,Seeding,time.Thestartingpoint;thissithefirstyear(ormonthorday)ofnine, timetostartsomethingnew.thereisadrivetodosomethingatthephysicallevel.it isgoodtonotethatwhateverisbegunhasninecyclestocomplete.nowyouare plantingthekarmicseedsforwhatyouwillharvestlater.itisaverypositivetime, ambitious,creative,pioneering.thereisatendencytowardsworldlyactivity. 2.,Germination.Thistimeofspreadingoutisoneofassociation,whenthesprout reachesouttotouchandmakecontactwiththesurroundingenvironment.inhuman affairsthisenergymovesusintorelationships,formindividualitytobeingpartofa socialstructure.progressmayseemslowerandlessdynamicthaninthefirstcycle, butthingsareexpandingoutwardratherthanupward.duringthisperiodweare influencedbyotherpeople senergiesandthoughtsmorethanusual.ourindividual energyandcreativitymayseemlower,ordependent. 3.,Manifestation.Atimeofexpressionandleapingforward.Transformationor changeofoldpatternsisthekeyphenomenonduringthistime.itmaybepositive, oritmayseemnegativewhenweneedtoletgosomethingfromthepast.creativity

240 andoptimismrunhigh,newvisionandpossibilitiespresentthemselves(sometimes toopromising).numberthreeenergytakesadownswingduringthesecondhalf,so treadcautiouslyasoverioptimismcancauseacrashatthattime.theforceis movingoutward,extrovertedandtowardsphysicalaction,thenturnsinwardfor testingandanalysis.don toveriinvestinthefirsthalfasitmayleadto disappointment.thevisionmaynotmaterializeuntilthe5cycle. 4.,Testing,period.Examinationandintrospectionarethekeys;pullingtheweeds outofthegarden.timeofhealingandcleaningupouract,andlookingatthelittle detailsthatmaybeobstructions.growthseemstobeatastandstill,thevisionfades. Feelingsaremoreprominentduringthistime checkwithyourintuitiononadaily basis,ifnotmomentbymoment.karmaiscomingfromthepast turninwardand faceit;onlythiscanbringintuitivebreakthroughsandlongitermprogress.the bodyleanstoinactionandhealing;fastingandbreathingaretheactionstotake. Associationswithothersmaybemoredifficultduringthistime.Stayintouchwith theworldofinnerfeelingsasthiscanleadtoawonderfulstateofbeing inthe moment. 5.,Rapid,growth.Newvisions,ideasandexperiences;puttingforthnewbranches.A yearofchangeanddoingwhatwehavewantedtodooverthepastfewyears;an energythatcarriesupupandaway.inspirationsmayseemunlimited;butsome effortmayneedtogointostayingrealistic.nevertheless,adynamictimewhen muchcanbeaccomplished climboutoftherutandgoforit.oftenatimeof travelling,moving,orgoinginnewunforeseendirections.expressioninthewayof communicationneedstoflowatthistime,butwatchtheintellectwhichmaypresent toomanypossibilities. 6.,Budding,time.Decisions,andbalancingthemind lookingatbothsidesofthe picture.intheactiveworlditisatimetosettleunresolvedissues,financesorfamily affairs.theenergyof6wantstounderstandmoretanthinkandcometoafeelingof resolution.intuitionandintellectbothworktoseewherewearegoingwithour projects.intheplantcycle,thisisthetimewhenthebudsareout,sowecanclearly seethatsomethingisdeveloping,butnotyetthere. 7.,Materialization.Blossomtimeintheplantworld.Nowwecanseethebeautyof whatisbeingcreated,thoughitisnotyetpractical.thisisthesabbathtime time torelaxandenjoysomepeaceful,noniactivemoments.itscanbeaveryinspired timetoread,write,orenjoymusic.inthematerialworld,thefirsthalfmaybealittle unsettledbecausenotmuchishappening;inthelatterhalf,astheenergymoves upwardintothe8cycle,everythingbecomesmorerewardingandactive. 8.,Fruition.Alltheothercycles,formtheseedonward,havebeenleadinguptothis. Nowwehavethefruitsofouractions.Whateverwehavebeenworkingtodevelopis nowafinalproduct.materiallyitisaprosperoustime,investmentspayoffwell, timetobuyandsellforthebestdeals.aluckyorfortunatetime.theinfluxof

241 rewardingenergyfromtheuniversealsobringsunexpectedgifts,perhapsbean inheritanceattheearthlevelorblessingsofanotherkindatahigherlevel. 9.,Harvest,time.Timetoreflect,whenthecycleiscompleteandourmindtendsto ponderoverthewholeprocess;inthiscompletenesswecanseemoreclearlythe onenessofitall.agoodtimeforcontemplationandmeditation,notaparticularly activeone.however,itisagoodtimeforplanningtheactionsofthenextfullcycleof events. Atthecompletionofthecycle,itallstartsover seeminglygoingincirclesforthose whoarenotonaspiritualpath,andspiralingupwardforthosewhoare. Theseshortinterpretationsoftheinfluencetheenergieshaveonusarebutabrief summaryoftheimpactofthewholeenergyfield.therearemanydifferentaspects tothesepowersastheyweavetheuniversalrealityintomanifestation,anditmay takealongtimetounderstandthedepthofthisreality.aswemovethroughthis book,youwillseemoreinformationunfoldingintotheconceptsoftheseenergies thataretheessenceofthechakras. Backatthemorepracticallevelwecanstarttolookatthemethodofcalculatingour basicenergycenters.yantrausesabaseninemathematicalsystemwhereeach numberyoulookatneedstobereducedtoasingledigit,(from1to9).forexample thenumber12ismadeupof1+2=3.nowwiththatinmindletustakeapersons birthdateandseewhatitcannumericallytellusabouttheenergiesthatbe: January = =19,1+9=10,1+0=1 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII =9 Fromthisbirthdatewearriveatthreenumbers,andweaddtheseuptomakea fourth.thisfourthnumbertellsusthattheninthchakraisthepredominantforce duringthisperson slife.thethreepreviousnumberstellusthatthreeother Chakrasaregoingtobeflowingduringthecourseofthatlife,forcertainperiodsof time.themainnumber(energy)i9iiscalledthedharmamargainsanskrit,orin EnglishitiscalledtheBirthPath.AmoreexpandeddefinitionofDharmaMargais: thespiritualdutythattheindividualhascomeintolifetofulfill.thisisthedriving spiritualforcemovingonethroughlife.ifoneisonaspiritualpathitwillindicate whattypeofpathyouneedtobeontobeintheflow,inthetao. Thethreenumbersusedtocalculatethispatharethecompositeenergiesthatrun throughthedevelopmentoflife,eachonehavingitsinfluenceforacertainperiodof

242 thatlife.consequentlytherearethreeperiodstoconsider,eachonewithaname andpurpose,aswellastheoverallperiodwithitsinfluence: Firstperiod(month)Secondperiod(day)Thirdperiod(year)Fourth(total) 0I27years 27I54 54I81 Life Fromthenumbersofone sbirth,thebirthpathiscalculated;tothatnumberyou add1anditwillgiveyouthecycleyearintowhichyouareborn.ifyouareanumber 5,youareacompleted5atbirthandthecycleyouenteristhenextone(therefore+ 1=6).Thefollowingyearsprogressmathematically,goinguptonineandstarting overgain,untilyoucometothepresentyear.thiscycletellsyouwhichchakra energyisflowingthroughyou,andmovingyou,forthisyear. NowifwetaketheKarmacycleforanygivenyear,itcanbeusedtoworkoutwhat cycleinfluenceispredominantinanygivenmonthofthatyear.beginbytakingthe monthofjuly;itisinthemiddleoftheyearanditautomaticallytakesonthe characteristicsoftheyearcycle.sofortheyear1996inthepreviousexamplefor instance,themonthofjulywouldbea7cycle.augustwouldfollowasin mathematics,bybecoming8,themonthbeforewouldalsobethenumberbefore 6.Insuchawayallthemonthsfortheyearcaneasilybedetermined.Thesecycles aretheprimaryenergieswhichmovelifetounfoldinspecificways.thereisalsoa secondaryforcetobeconsidered,thekarmicreactivecycle,whichhasmoretodo withourpastkarma,ourattitude,andourreactiontowhatishappening.itis somethinglikeadelayedreactiontothemoment,andthecloserwearelivingtothe momentthelessinfluencethismayhave,butthetypeofinfluenceremainsthe same.thisreactivecycleisdeterminedbyaddinghecycleyeartothecyclemonth; forexamplejulywouldbe7+7=14,the1+4=5.theresultisacompoundnumber 7/5,where7isthecycleenergyand5istheenergywereactwith. YANTRA,YOGA,CHARACTERISTICS, Theenergiesofthechakrasareseenintheirgeometricpatterns,andthesepatterns arecalculatedwithmathematics.withinthatmath,eachnumberrepresentsoneof theenergies.thingschangewithtimebecauseenergyisalwaysmovingand changing.themathofyantratakesthisintoformulaswithwhichyoucancalculate theenergiesthatwerepresentwhenyouwereborn,howtheywillchangethrough life,yearbyyear,monthbymonthetc.eachenergyvortexhascertainqualitiesthat unfoldspecificcharacteristicsinaperson sdevelopment,andthroughchanging cyclesoftime. Hereisaverybriefsketchofhowtheenergieshelptoformaperson scharacter: #1

243 Ispositive,dynamic,independentpioneersandbuildersinthematerial world. Awarenessiscenteredintheself,physically. Groundedintheworldandoftenmaterialistic. Individualandpioneering. Strongandoriginal,canbeabitdomineering. Masculineenergykeepsonetogether,andgenerallyensuredstability. #2 Issensitive,harmonious,easygoingandtactfulandusuallylikestohavefun. Socialelement,thisenergymakesoneliveinassociationwithothers. Networkingabilities,easytolearnfromothers,trusting. Adaptableandflexiblelikewater,accommodating. Feminineenergy,sensualandsexual. #3 IsselfIexpressive,confident,ambitiouswithamagneticpersonality. Masculinewarriorenergy. Alwaystakingaction,sometimesdisregardingothers. Outgoingandexpressive. Likeschange&transformation. Artisticandcreative. #4 Isasteadyanalyticalpersonalitywithpatience&astrongsenseoffeeling. Feminine,verysensitiveandcompassionate. Intuitive,centeredinfeeling. Analyticalandpractical. Introspective,sometimestoointroverted. DetailIorientedandsystematic. #5 Isaseekerofnewlifeandveryfreedomloving,promotionalandfearless. IntellectualandlovestheworldofIdeas. Verbal,sometimestoowordy. Tendencytotrynewthings,drawntotravelandnewplaces. Masculine. #6 Isavisionarypersonality,reliable,resolvedwithacommandingauthority overothers. Likestoseebothsidesandunderstandthings. Visionaryandstudious,intellectuallycurious. MentallyversatilebutsometimesselfIopinioned.

244 Expansiveandinventive,perhapstooheadstrong. #7 Thispersonisplacid,refined,mildofmannerandexpression. Awarenessmovinginalldirections. Interestinmanythings,intellectual,musical,spiritual. Reflectiveandrefined. #8 Apersonalityexemplifyingjustice,mercy&charity. TendencytobemysticallyintouchwiththeUniverse. Goodatthereceivingend,seemsnaturaltohavethingsflowingin. Fortunateinbusiness,usuallyjust,butwhennegativecanbeinsidious. #9 Typifiesuniversallove&understanding;theyareaffable&sincere. Intouchwiththesourceoflife. Idealistic,congenialandmusical. CanbecomeoverIindulgentandluxurylovingifspiritualsidenotdeveloped. Kundalini% IntheSanskritlanguage kunda istranslatedascoiledand lini meansserpent. Kundalinitranslatesasacoiledserpent. InthemysticalteachingsoftheScienceofYogathemastersspeakofapowerful energycontainedandboundatthebaseofthespine.thebaseofthespineisthe homeoftherootchakra,muladahara.metaphoricallyspeaking,thisenergyis describedasathreeandahalfcoiledserpentcalledkundalini.anothernamefor KundaliniisShakti.IntheancientSanskritlanguagethewordShaktimeans power. IntheEastthispowerfulforceofpranicenergyisconsideredfeminineinnature. Accordingtotheteachings,thisfeminineenergyisthecreativepowerofthe universeanditisalsocalledprakriti.thepureconsciousnessofwhichprakritiisan aspectisthemasculineenergyoftheuniversewhichinthewritingsoftheyoga Sutrasisreferredtoaspurusha. InhistalkonSamkhyaphilosophy(The-Yoga-Matrix),yogiRichardFreemanrefers topurushaastheseerofpureconsciousness;thesilentwitness.hethenrefersto prakritiastheunlimitedcreativeformofpureconsciousness.freemanpoetically speaksoftheyogicbodyasabeautifulflowercontinuallyunfoldingandexpanding justastheinnerheartofprakriticontinuallyunfoldsandexpandstorevealthe presenceofpurusha.onecouldalsosaythatkundaliniishakti,upongently awakening,dancesandunfoldstorevealandunitewithherbeloved,purusha.

245 ThomasAshleyIFarrandinhisdiscourseonthe Power%of%Mantra speaksofprakriti (Shakti)astheenergythatcreatestheearth,makestheplanetsandtreesgrow, createsmovementsoftheplanets,movesourbodiesandbasicallyistheinherent creativeforceinallofnature. AshleyIFarrandaddsthatintheWestwenaturallythinkofpowerasamasculine forcebuthenotesthattheeasternteachingsspeakofthe natureofpower as feminine.hesaysthemysticalteacherstaketheelementoffireasanexampleto explainthisphenomena.intheeasttheyconsidertheideaoffireasmasculinebut thepowertomakethefireburnisfeminine.theypointoutthatwithoutthe KundaliniIshaktienergy,fireisanunmanifestidea.Againjustaspurushais unmanifestform,prakritiismovementandmanifestedformsofenergy. IntheHindumythology,purusha,cosmicconsciousness,isgivenamasculinetrinity underthenamesofbrahma,vishnu&shiva.brahmaisconsideredtobethecreator oftheuniverse,vishnuisrecognizedasthesustainerorpreserver,andshivais

246 knownasthepowerfultransformerofenergy,thecosmicmind.itisbelievedthatin thelastseveralthousandyearstherehavebeennineincarnationsofvishnu consciousnessonourplanetearth.tonameafewthatyoumaybefamiliarwith thereisrama(7 th incarnation),krishna(8 th incarnation)&buddhawhoistaughtto bethe9 th incarnationofvishnu.inthevedicscripturestheteachingsnamekalkias thetenthincarnationyettocome.shivaisalsoreferredtoaspureconsciousness, andaccordingtotheancientteachings,itisintheunionofshiva&shaktithat enlightenment,samadhi,isreached. Again,inHindumythology,thecreativefemininesourceofenergyfallsunderthe trinityofsaraswati,lakshmianddurga.saraswatiishighlyreveredinthevedasas thegoddessofsound,speech,poetry,mantra,music,finearts,educationand spiritualknowledge.anotheraspectofthefemininetrinityislakshmiwhois honoredasthegoddessofgoodwill,goodfortuneandabundance.athirdaspectof thetrinityisdurgawhoisanaspectofthegoddesskali.durgaisconsideredtobe theprotectorofalllightbeingsaswellasthedestroyerofallevil. AshleyIFarrandalsomentionsthatinthemythologoicalstroesionecanreadthat Brahma,whoisreferredtoasanaspectofcosmicconsciousness,hasthethought anddesiretocreate.aftercontemplatingthisthought,hisfemininenature, Saraswati,appearsbeforehim.SaraswatiistherepresentationoftheShaktipower, thecreativeforceoffemininepowerotmanifestthewishesanddesireofthe creator,brahma.heresaraswati,(kundaliniishakti),entertainsandmanifeststhe thoughtsofthecosmicmind,brahma.inthevedictextssaraswatiisthehighly esteemedgoddesswhocreatestheuniversethroughthepowerofthedivineword. Asmentionedinchaptersfiveandseven,manyoftheseancientculturesbelieved thattheuniversewascreatedthroughthevibrationofsound,thedivinewordor mantram.hence,backtothescriptureswhichsay, Inthebeginningwastheword Saraswatiisrevered,intheVedas,astheGoddessofMantrawhotakespeoplealong theirspiritualpath. IntheteachingswealsohearmoreaboutShiva,adeityhighlyworshippedinthe Hinduculture,andthemostpopularaspectofthemasculinetrinitymentioned earlier.accordingtocertainmythologicalteachings,shivadoesnotappearin manifestformupontheearthbutheisrecognizedasthemostpowerfulmasculine aspectofthecosmicmind,ofpureconsciousness.heistheenergyofchangeand transformation,thedestroyeroftheveilsofignorance,thatpushestheegotomove beyondthekarmiclessons,andbeyondthematerialworld.shivahelpsthejiva (being)toevolvealongone sspiritualpath.symbolically,heisconsideredtobethe embodimentofpureconsciousness. Types,of,Shakti,

247 InhisdissertationsonmantraThomasAshleyIFarrandalsodiscussesthesix differentaspectsofthefeminineshaktienergy.justtogiveyouabriefideaofthese theyareasfollows: Para-Shakti:theforcewhichpermeatestheentireuniverseandisusuallyassociated withheatandlight Nana-Shakti:thepoweroftheintellectinthematerialworldaswellasthehigher psychicsense Iccha-Shakti:thepowerofwill;takingactions;creativity;willIpower Kriya-Shakti:thepowerofmanifestation Mantra-Shakti:thepowerofthought,sound,vibration;mantram;speech Kundalini-Shakti:thepowerinherentinallofnature;vitalpraniclifeIforce; electricity Itisobviousfromalotofthemysticalteachingsthatitisthebalanceandunionof themasculineandfeminineenergiesthatmakeupthebodyoftheentirecosmic universe.thefeminineandthemasculinearetheoneconsciousness,thecosmic mind.itisthroughthepracticeofthevariousformsofyogathatonecanactivate andbalancetheenergyflowsofthemasculineandfamineenergies. Hatha,Yoga:,,Pingala,,Ida,&,Shushumna,Nadis, AccordingtothetraditionalteachingsoftheScienceofYoga,withinthehumanbody arethousandsofsubtle,ethericenergychannelscallednadis.sometextssaythere are100,000nadiswhileotherssaythatthereare300,000nadis.itisgenerally agreeduponbytheknowledgeofmostawakenedteachersthatthereare72,000 nadisinthehumanbody.itissaidthattheseershaveseenthesenadisinthesubtle body.ofalloftheenadichannelstheherenadisthatareofutmostimportanceinthe worldofyogaaretheprimarynadiscalledpingala,idaandshushumna.theenergy flowofthesenadichannelsarestimulated,calmed,aswellasclearedthroughthe variousformsofyogawhichincludepranayamayoga,kriyayoga,mantrayogaand hathayoga. Asyouknow,Hatha-YogaisoneofthemostpopularformsofyogaintheScienceof Yoga ChakraSystem.HathaYogaisrelatedtotherootchakra,earthelement.Inthe Sanskrittranslationofhatha, ha referstothepositivecurrentofenergyrunning alongtherightsideofthespineandisassociatedwiththepingala,nadi.itiscalled thesolar,sunenergyofheatandlight.itisrecognizedasthemasculineprinciple

248 thatisactive,electric,extroverted,andfullofvitality.thismasculineenergyis dynamicaswellasrational. Thesyllable tha inhathareferstothenegativecurrentofenergyrunningalongthe leftsideofthespineandisassociatedwiththeida,nadi.itisrepresentedbythe lunar,moonenergyanditisrecognizedasthefeminineprincipleofenergyinthe humanbody.thiscurrentofenergyiscoolanddarklikethemoon.itisreceptive, psychic,intuitive,introverted,magnetic,creative,visualaswellassensitiveand emotional.onecouldalsorelatethecharacteristicofthisnaditothesubconscious mindandthepingalanaditotheconsciousmind. Soherewehavethesetwoprimaryenergychannelscalledpingalaandidawhich aremasculineandfeminine,positiveandnegativeenergycurrentswhichgovernthe characteristicsofthehumanbody,mind&spirit.accordingtotheteachingsitis saidthatidaandpingalastartatthebaseofthespineandterminateatthebridgeof thenoseclosetothethirdeye.thisisthehomeofthesixthchakracalledajna Chakra.Itissaidwhenoneunitesthesunandmoonchannelsonehelpstoremove anyblockagesbetweenthemthusarousingthefemininekundalinienergyatthe baseofthespine. YogacomesfromtheSanskritword yuj whichmeanstouniteorcomeintounion. Thismayrefertotheunionofthemasculineandfeminineenergiescominginto balancetocreateinnerstatesofjoyandpeace.atthehigherlevelsyogaimpliesthe mysticalunionoftheindividualselfwiththedivineenergyofthesacreduniverse. Insomeformsofyogathepingalanadirepresentstherightbreathorsunbreath, meaningthebreathofoxygenandpranawhichflowsinandoutoftherightnostril. Oppositely,idanadirepresentstheleftbreathorthemoonbreath.Thereareseveral pranayamabreathingtechniqueswhichteachdifferentformsofalternatenostril breathingtoworkwiththesepositiveandnegativecurrentsofenergy. Thethirdnadichannelwhichisconsideredtobetheprinciplenadiinthehuman bodyiscalledsushumna.thisnadichannelflowthroughthecentralaxisofthe spinalcolumn.sushumnaisthemasculineprincipleandisconsideredtobethe passagewaythroughwhichtheawakenedkundaliniishaktienergytravels,piercing thechakraenergycentersalongtheway. Inhisbook,Chakras- -Energy-Centers-of-Transformation,Indianscholar,Harish Joharisaysthatsushumnanadipiercesthroughthesoftpalateatthebaseofthe skullcalledthetaluanduniteswiththecrownchakra,sahasrara.sahasraraisthe seventhchakraintheyogicsystemandisrepresentedas thethousandpetalled lotus inallawakenedbeings.accordingtojohari,inthesacredteachings,thecrown chakraisalsocalledthe CaveofBrahma orthetenthgate Brahma-Randhra.Itis thathollowsoftspotbetweenthetwohemispheresofthebrainatthecrownofa newborn shead.joharinotesthatintheancientscripturesitissaidthatonewho

249 leavestheirbodythroughthecrownchakraachievesliberation(mukti)fromthe karmicwheelofdeathandrebirth. Inhisbook,The-Theories-of-the-Chakras,Dr.HiroshiMotoyamapointsoutthe correlationofida,pingalaandsushumnatosomeoftheacupuncturemeridian pathwaysaslaidoutinthescienceofchinesemedicine.dr.motoyamapointsout thatoneofthemainmeridiansinthebodywhichiscalledthegovernorvessel (GV20)correspondsverywellwiththesushumnanadi.Henotesthattheenergy flowofthegovernormeridianbeginsatthebaseofthespine,ascendstothecrown oftheheadatapointcalled hyaku, afterwhichthisenergyflowdescendsback downtoapointjustbelowthenavel.insometeachingsofthekundalinienergythey speakofthekundalinienergyascendingupthroughthespinetothecrownofthe headandlaterdescendingbackdowntothebaseofthespine.afterthisjourneyof thekundalinienergythroughthesushumnanadiitissaidthattheconsciousnessof theindividualistotallytransformed.motoyamaalsonotesthatthisgv20meridian issaidtobeayangenergywhichiswhatissaidofsushumna.aswellinthetheory ofchinesemedicinethevitallifeiforceenergyinthehumanbodyisreferredtoas chi andthissamevitalenergyinthescienceofyogaisreferredtoas prana.inthe practiceofacupunctureitissaidthatthechienergyflowsinandoutofthehyaku pointatthetopofthehead.thiscorrespondswellwiththeyogicteachingswhich speakofthepranaenergyflowinginandoutofthebrahma-randhra(tenthgate)at thecrownofthehead.motoyamaalsosaysthattheancientteachingsputforward thatthepranafortheentirebodyentersfromtheastralplanesthroughthe kandasthana,asphericalregionaroundthenavelenclosingthemanipurachakra (3 rd Chakra).Thepranaisthentransformedintoenergyforthephysicalbody.He addsthata chakraenergywordsasacenterofinterchangebetweenthephysical andastralbodyaswellasbetweentheastralandcausaldimensions. Henotesthat throughthechakras,subtlepranaintheastralbodycanbetransformedandmade readytogiveessentiallifeiforcetothephysicalbody. Inregardstothenadis,Dr.Motoyamapointsoutthattheurinarybladdermeridians whichlieoneithersideofthespinalcolumnandterminateatthebaseofthenose aresimilartothepositiveandnegativeenergycurrentsofpingalaandida. Meanwhile,intheresearchofHarishJohari,welearnthattheMuladharachakrais consideredtobethemeetingplaceofthethreeprimarynadichannels(ida,pingala &sushumna).inthevedicsanskritteachingsthismeetingplaceisknownasyukti Triveni.Yuktameanscombined,trimeansthreeandveniistranslatedasstreams. Joharisaysthatfromthismeetingplaceoftheprimarynadisintherootchakra therecanoccurastirringandawakeningofthekundalinipranicenergy.theenergy flowsofida,pingala&sushumnaascendthespineandcometoanewmeetingplace atthebaseofthenoseformingwhatiscalleda gentlyknot atajna(6 th chakra thirdeye).joharinotesthatthismeetingplaceofthethreestreamsiscalledmukta Triveni.IntheSanskritlanguagemuktimeansliberated,soherewehavethe liberationoftheprimarynadisandtheawakeningofsomekundalinienergy.

250 Inthetraditionalteachingstheyogamastersmetaphoricallyspeakoftheascension ofkundaliniupthroughthesushumnanadiandcomingintounionwithshiva(pure consciousness)inajnachakra.inhindumythology,atthepointofajnachakra, jundaliniishaktiisreferredtoasgoddessparvati.inthesemythologicalstories ParvatiisrecognizedasthebelovedsoulImateofShivaandtheyhavetwosons, GaneshaandSkanda.InsomeoftheYantramandalasoftheyogicteachingsofIndia youwillfindapictureofanandrogynousbeing,halfmaleandhalffemaleinthe thirdeye.thisyantramandalarepresentstheunionofthemasculineandfeminine, ShivaandParvati,intheAjnachakra.Ajnachakrahastwopetalsandisconsidered tohavetheaspectsofboththemasculineandfeminineenergies,whereaschakras onethroughfiveareeithermasculineorfemininebutnotboth.hereinthe awakenedstateatajnachakratheyogioryoginiistransformed. Inhisresearchonthetheoriesofthechakras,Dr.Motoyamasaid, accordingto tradition,lordshiva,whoisworshippedbyyogisasthedeitywhoreleaseshuman beingsfromthisworld,createdyogaandtheasanas. Theancientstexts(shastras) speakofshivaastheprincipleteacherofthehathayogaasanasanditiswrittenthat hetaughtalloftheseposturestohisbelieved,goddessparvati.someofthe mythologicalwritingssaytherewere84,000asanas.motoyamasaidthatafter thousandsofyearsnomorethanafewhundredoftheseasanashavecomedownto thepresentandonly84oftheclassicalasanasarewrittendowninthesacred scriptures.healsoaddsthatthefirstelaboratewrittentextdescribingtheclassical asanaswererecordedbythegreatteacher,goraknath,wholivedinthe10 th century AD.IntheYogaSutraswrittenbytheawakenedteacher,Patanjali,approximately around500bc,thereareonlyafewoftheclassicalasanasmentionedandoneof thembeingpadmasana,thefulllotus.padmasanawastaughtinorderfortheyogito sitindeepmeditation(nirvikalpa-samadhi)forlongperiodsoftime.motoyama notesthatin theancienttradition,thepracticeofhathayogawastaughttorelease onefromthebondsofkarma.thepracticeofhathayogafreestheblockagesofthe praniclifeiforceatthebaseofthespinesothatitcanflowintothesushumnanadi. BeforethewritingsofGoraknaththeknowledgeofcertainformsofyogawere reveredas thesecretteachings andonlybestoweduponsincereanddedicated seekersofthetruth. FromhosresearchonthenadisJoharisaysthatinthemeetingofthethreeprimary nadis(muktatriveni)intheajnachakratheyogiissaidtobeliberatedfromthe bondageoftheworldysenses.itissaidhe/sheisbeyondtheelementsofearth, water,air&firebutisstillsubjecttochangesofmoodandperceptionaccordingto theactivityofoneofthegunas(forceofnature).inthepracticeofdeepmeditation theyogicanascendthestreamsofenergyupwardandoutthroughthecrown chakra,sahasrara,wherethesymbolicthousandpetalledlotusisopenedinthe enlightenedbeing.hereonceagainisthebelovedunionofshiva&shaktiwhichisin itselftheawarenessofprakriti&purusha,thesourceofoneconsciousnessenergy.

251 WhenayogiinmeditationestablisheshimselfatthemidIpointbetweentheeyeI browsintheajnachakra(thirdeye)andtranscendsthepranaintothebrahma Randhraregion,heisbeyondtime.Hebecomestrikaladarshi)knowerofthepast, presentandfuture).inajnachakrahegoesbeyondtime,anddeathcannottouch him.functionsofthephysicalbodycometoastandstillandtheprocessofagingis stopped. IHarishJohari AccordingtotheresearchofJohari,itissaidthatwhentheAjnachakraisopened oneisawakenedtothetruthandmeetshis/herowndivineself.secondly,whenthe SahasraraChakraisopenedonecanleavethephysicalbodyandenterthehigher planesofthemysticaluniverse. YouwillhearstoriesofpeoplelikeParamahamsaYoganandaleavinghisbodyatwill whilesittinginpadmasanaandevenaftermorethan20dayshisphysicalbody lookingwellintact.yogananda,thegreatteacherwhocametothewestintheearly 1920 s,wassaidtohavetaughtandlecturedover100,000peopleintheteachingsof thescienceofyoga.yogananda,asmentionedinmyforeward,wasthefounderof theselfirealization.fellowshipintheunitedstatesofamerica.havingcompleted hisdharmicpath,yogananda,whileindeepmeditationsittinginpadmasana,lefthis bodyinmarch1957.hepredictedthatinthefutureofmankind,theteachingsofthe yogicchakrasystemwouldsweepthenationsofthewest.todaymoreandmore peopleareinterestedintheseesotericteachingsoftheancientvedicscriptures. Themasculineandfeminineenergiesexistinallofcreation.Theancienttextsrefer tothemaleasdevaandthefemaleasdevi,although,inthecelestialrealmsofthe sacreduniverse,thegodsandgoddessesaregenerallyreferredtoasthedevas.in herbook,kundalini- -Yoga-For-The-West,SwamiShivanandaRadhasaysthatpure, unmanifestcosmicenergyissometimescalledthesourceoflightandismasculinein nature,whereastheemanationofthissourceoflightisthemanifestformofenergy andisfeminineinnature(shakti) Shakti-is-the-great-mother.-She-hold-the-child,-the-seeker,-the-aspirant-in-her-womb,- which-is-the-world.-she-is-the-form,-the-ideal,-the-power-and-goddess-of-the-spoken- word.-shakti-is-life,-breath,-and-existence-itself The-snake-around-the-neck-of-Sada-Shiva-and-the-Trident-in-his-hand-indicate-forthe-first-time-the-possible-stirring-of-Kundalini- -Shakti-energy.-The-fire-he-holdreminds-us-that-ignorance-is-burned-in-the-fire-of-wisdom.-Such-then-is-Kundalini-fire.- It-is-the-fire-of-awareness-which-burns-ignorance. ISwamiSivanandaRadha Allbeingshaveasmallamountofjundalinienergyawakeinthebody.Thisis enoughlifeiforcetorunourbodilyfunctions,nervoussystem,movement,breathing andsoon.intheeastitistaughtthatagreatamountofkundalinienergyis naturallyawakeinwomenasopposedtomenandthatmenneedtodomore

252 practicestoawakenthisfeminineenergy.thomasashleyifarrandsasthatthere wasatimeinthetantricpracticesofthebrahmanpriestswheretheywouldtakea womanastheirconsortsandperformsexualtechniquestotryandtakeonsomeof thekundalinienergyofthefeminine.itissaidthathispracticewasnotsoeffective andveryderogatorytowardstheconsortsofthistime.havingthisenergysubtly awake,givestheanswerastowhythefeminineisanaturallyintuitiveandpsychic being. Inviewofthemasculineandfemininegendersinourpresentlives,onecanseehow thebalanceoftheseenergiesdirectincredibledreamsthemakeandfemalemay havethedesiretocreateachildanditisthefemininewhobearsthechild.inpast generationsthemanhasbeenthemainmaterialproviderofthefamilyandthe womanhasbeenthemaincaretakerofthemanydutiesinthehome.thingsare somewhatdifferenttodaybutonecanseethatintheraisingofchildrenthereisa creativeinteriplayofthemasculineandfeminineenergies.aswell,amanmaybuild abeautifulhouseorbusinessanditisusuallyawoman stouchthatwilladornand beautifythehome.amanmayhavecertainincredibleideasorvisionsand sometimesitisthewomanwhowillhelphimrefineandmanifesttheseideas.the masculineistherisktaker,themotivator,thepioneerandthefemininemaybethe creativesupportandmanager.insomecasestheserolesarereversedbut neverthelessitisobviousthatwhenthereisagoodbalanceandsharingofstrengths betweenthemasculineandfeminine,greatthingscanhappen Clearingtheenergiesofthechakracentersaswellasthenadisthroughthepractice ofthevariousformsofyogaisofutmostimportancebeforeoneattemptstofully awakenthispowerfulkundaliniishaktienergy.withoutproperpreparationand purification,thepreimatureawakeningofkundalinicanbeverydisturbingtothe mindandbody.thebodyholdswithinitscellularmemoryallofitspastnegative karmicpatternsanddeepsubiconsciousconditioningoffearandignorance.these patternsneedtobeclearedinapracticalmannerbeforeonethingsaboutdoing manyoftheadvancedpracticesofyoga. Disciplines,to,Stimulate,Kundalini, SomeofthedisciplinestoactivatethesleepingKundaliniserpent(pranicenergy)at thebaseofthespineare: Hatha,Yoga:thepracticeofvariousasanastobalancethepositiveandnegative energycurrentsinthebody. Pranayama,Yoga:specificbreathingtechniquessuchasthevariousalternateI nostrilbreathingtechniques,bellowsbreathing,rapidabdominalbreathing,breath retentions,breathingtechniqueswithmantraandmathematicalsoundformulasand more. Kriya,Yoga:specificconcentrationtechniquestodirecttheflowofpranainthe energybody.

253 Raja,Yogaspecificconcentrationtechniqueswithchakrayantrassometimes practicedwithbreathingexercisesandbijamantras. Mantra,Yoga:therepetitiouschantingofvariousbijamantrasormantramsound formulas;mahamantrachantingsuchasthatofthereveredgayatrimantra. Meditation:variousmeditationtechniques(chakrameditation,focusedbreath meditation,mantrameditationetc.) Creative,Dance:longperiodsoftrancedancingwithbreathing,sufiwhirling dervishspinning. Shakti,Phat:theintentionaltransmissionofShaktipowerfromanenlightened teacher(guru)toastudent. Symptoms,of,a,Kundalini,Awakening, Kundalinimayawakeninapersoninsmalldosesoveralongperiodoftime,even lifetimes,ortherecanbeafullawakeningasaresultofsomeofthededicated practicesofthoseyogicdisciplinesmentionedpreviously. Some-of-the-symptoms-of-a-Kundalini-awakening-may-be-as-follows:- Visionsoflightorintricatepatternsofthedivineform Openingofperceptionsinthethirdeye;deepinsight;wisdom;higher intelligenceawakeningtotheteachingsofthehigherlevelsofconsciousness Enhancementornoticeabledevelopmentofthehigherpsychicsensessuchas clairvoyance,clairaudience&telepathy Developmentofthepowerofhealingtouch;awakenedhealer Progressivedevelopmentincreative&physicalabilities Increaseofheatinthebody;changeinbodytemperature Changeindreams;psychicdreams Feelingsofblissfulness&joy;loveofthedivine;contactwiththecelestial realms Euphoricfeelings;loveforallofhumanity;compassion Recognition&awarenessofthedivineinallbeingsaswellasthe impermanenceofallmatter EvidenceofexperiencingthenegativesymptomsofaKundaliniawakeningmaybe totalconfusion,feelingsoffearfulness,remembranceoftraumaticmemories, depression,fragmentedmindrecall,physicalpainandgeneralupheavalinone slife. Thesenegativeexperiencesmayoccurifthestudenthasnotdonethespecificyoga practicestopreparetheenergybodyforsuchahighvoltageofshaktipower.daily practiceofthevariousformsofyoga,rightthinking,rightlivelihoodandgooddiet beginstopreparetheaspirantfortheascentofkundaliniishakti.

254 Pranayama,Techniques, Nadi,shoddhanaisanervecleanserinwhichthebreathismovedrapidlythrough alternatenostrils.theinibreathispulledinthroughtherightnostrilandtheouti breathispushedouttheleft;thehandgestureofvishnu-mudraisusedtoclosethe nostrils.thecycleisbegunwithan8i8count,andthespeedslowlyincreasesuntil youarebreathingacoupleoftimespersecond,whilestilleffectivelytakinginand expellingquantitiesofair.havingspedituptothatpoint,youreversethetrendand graduallyslowitbackdowntowhereyoustarted.expecttotakeseveralminutesto dothisprocedure. Takingairinthroughtherightnostrilstimulatesanenergyflowthroughthenerve channelknownaspingala,orwhatcorrespondstothesympatheticnervoussystem. Thisenergycurrentstimulatesactivityandmetabolisminthebody.Lettingtheair outtheleftnostrildischargesthenervechannelknownasida,orperhapswhat Westernmedicinereferstoastheparasympatheticnervoussystem.Thispartofour systemusuallyrelaxesactivityinthebody)asinthemuscles)whilestimulating otherfunctions,suchasdigestion,or,whenthestomachisempty,healing.by movingenergyintoonepartofthenervoussystemandouttheother,aninternal crossioverflowiscreatedwhichissaidtomovethroughthechakrasinawaythat purifiesthem. Althoughthiscanbedoneanytime,ingeneralpracticeitisbestdoneintheevening aftertheday work,whenyouarereadytocalmthemindformeditation. BENEFITS: Thistechniqueisapowerfulnervepurifier,dischargingnegativeenergy (stress)fromthenervoussystem. Clamsthemindasiteliminatesnegativeordisturbingthoughts. Clearstheenergyfield(pranamayakosha). Nadi%shuddhiissimilartothealternatenostrilaboveinthatthebreathistakenin therightnostrilandletouttheleftrepeatedly.thedifferenceisthattheratioand patternarethoseofsavitri,8i4breath.thetechniqueactsasanervepurifier,but doessoatarelaxedpacethatgentlycalmsthemindandhelpstoclarifythethought process.itcanbedoneforlengthyperiodsoftime,10minutesbeingaminimum, whileahalfihourwouldbeabetterduration.

255 Goodmethodofrelaxingintheevenings,orbeforequiet-yogapractices. BENEFITS: Usingthistechniqueinthefourdirectionscaneasilyadvanceyourprogress throughthetanglesofthesubconsciousmind.swadhiyayacanbepracticed inconjunctionwiththis. Relaxesthemindforconcentrationormeditation. Movestheenergiesthroughblockagesandresistancesinthenervoussystem. Canbeusedvery-wellwithHangSah. ParyayanasarandhrapranayamaistheclassicalternateInostrilbreath.Usingthe handpostionofvishnumudra,thebrethisdrawninthrooughtherightnostril,then letouttheleft.thenextinhalationisdrawnintheleftandouttheright.continue alternatingbackandforthlikethisiiiexhalingtheninhalingthroughonenostril, switchingnostrilsanddoingthesameontheotherside.thetechniquecanbedone withvariousratiosfordifferenteffts.savitribreathisrecommendedforthefirst year.usedforchargingorincreasingtheenergypotentialofeachofthechakras,this shouldbedoneafterthenervoussystemhasbeenpurified.otherwiseitcouldoveri stimulatethevortexesandleadtoanxietyinanyorallofthem.donewitha balancedroutineofhathayogaitbecomesaveryempoweringtechnique. Aspartofagoodmoringroutinethiscanbeveryempowering;though,itcanwellbe doneasanindependenttechniqueintheevening,oreveninplaceofacoffeebreak. BENEFITS: Balancestheenergiesthroughoutthenervoussystem. Chargestheenergybodyandeachofthechakrasevenly. Hasamellowbutempoweringeffectonthemind. BINDU,KRIYA, Thisisatechniqueinmentalconcentrationforthedevelopmentofthe6 th chakra, alsoreferredtoasthethirdeye.asasimplepracticethisisdonewithsynchronized breathbyusingmentalvisualizationtodirectabeamofenergy(light)inandoutof thethirdeye. Beginthetechniquebydopingthreecleansingbreathsandthenwithcomplete breathingestablishagentlysavitrirhythm(8x4x8x4).sittinginvakrasana (thunderbolt)orpadmasana(lotus)findyourselfwithastraightspine,sternum liftedandshouldersrelaxed.onceyouestablishyoursavitribreathingbeginto

256 concentrateonthethirdeyebindu(cosmicpoint)approximatelytwoinchesinside theforehead,upbetweentheeyebrows.fromherebeingan8countinhalationas yousimultaneouslyvisualizeabeamofgoldenlightmovingoutformthethirdeye bindupointtoaboutsixinchesoutsidetheforehead.holdthebreathand concentrateonthisbeamforacountof4.thenonan8countexhalationofthe breathvisualizethisbeamoflightmovingbackinsidethethirdeye,twoinches insidetheforehead(cosmicpoint)andconcentrateonthispointwhileholdingout thebreathforacountof4.continuethispatternfortenminuteswithfocused concentration.ifthemindiswandering,practiceforashorteramountoftimeuntil youcanclearlyfocusfor10i15minutes.trytofeeltheenergyaswellasvisualizeit. Whenyouhavefinished,stoptheSavitribreathing,relaxthebreathandcometo restyourconsciousnessonthisinnerpoint,seeingifyoucanremaintherefora periodofcalmmeditation. BENEFITS: Thisisamethodofstrengtheningthemagneticpowerofthesixthchakra. Itenhancesperceptualclarity. Centersandcalmsthemind. Developsabilitiesofmanifestation. Preparedthemindformeditation. Active,Practice,

257 AjnaChakraRoutine 1. BeginasusualwiththecleansingbreathandthePranavaAIUIM. 2. Cometoastandingpositionwithfeetwideapart.Prasarita%paduttanasana isdonefromtherebybendingatthehipsandcomingdownwithastraight flatbackuntilthefistscometotouchthefloor.headisheldup,exhalegoing down.# Trikonasana,thetriangle,issimilartotheabove,butthearmiscrossedover thebodyandthefistorhandplaceddownbythefoot.thekneeandelbow shouldbeinline,thefreearmpointedskywardandheadturnedtoseethat hand.comeuptoadeepinibreathanddowntheothersidetoanexhalation. Feelthespinetwistingintotheposition.# Konasana,angularposture,isdoneformthesamewideIapartfootstance witharmsoutstretchedatshoulderlevel.bendovertooneside,bendingthe kneeandbringingthefirstdowninfrontofthefootorbehindit.theother legiskeptstraightandthefreearmraisedstraightabove,withfingers pointingupandtheheadturnedtofacethehand.exhalegoingdownagain. #99 5. ArdhaChandrasana,themoon,isdonefromtheaboveposturebyraising thestraightlegparalleltothefloorandbalancingthebodyontheotherleg whichisnowstraightenedalso.thefreearmmaybeskywardorrightover andparalleltotheground.# Vrikshasana,thetree.Takeabalancedposeononefootandbringtheother upagainsttheotherthighnearthegroin,oryoucandoitfromthehalfilotus. HandsareinnamaskaramandareraisedupabovetheheadwiththeinI breathandbroughtbackdownwiththeexpelledbreath.ontheexpelled breaththesupportinglegmaybebent,loweringyouintoasquatoreven untiltheotherkneetouchesthefloor.balance,strength,staminaandstability aregainedthroughthispractice.#82 7. Paarshwaritasana,thesidebend,isdonefromawideIapartfootstanceby bendingovertooneside,slidingthearmdowntheleg,keepingthelegsand hipsstraight.toparmisrelaxed,exhaleandfeelthestretchononesideof theribcageandthecompressionontheother. 8. # Makarasana,thedolphin.FromasittingIonItheIheelsposition,leanforward untilyoucanplaceelbowsandforearmsontothefloor.elbowsareabouta footapart,headisnowplacedintheclaspedhands,andthatpartofyour headjustbehindthehairlineisplacedonthefloor.fromhereyoustraighten

258 yourlegsandwalkupwithyourtoesuntilyourtorsoisstraightupoveryour head.breathingisdeepandyoufocusonyourheadandbodyposition.many ofthebenefitsoftheheadstandaregainedinthisposition,whileitismuch simplertodointhebeginning. 10. # Shirshasana,theheadstand.Fromtheabovedolphinpositionthelegsare raisedfromtheground,bendingthemfirst,maybeoneatatime,andthen movingthemupformthebuttockstostraightenthem.breathingshouldbe deepintheposition.verystimulatingforthehead,pineal,pituitary,etc.;also goodforrejuvenatingthecirculatorysystem.bloodpressureinthebrainis heightened,somakesurethereisagoodoxygensupply. 12. # TheOli-Mudras 14. Relax,withpolarization.

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260 SYNOPSISofAJNACHAKRA ELEMENT:Mind YOGA:YantraYoga GENDER:Androgenous NAME:Ajna FORCE:Magnetic MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:Up YANTRA,SYMBOL:Circlewithtwosidepetals ENERGY,COLOR:Violet SOUND:Ang SENSE,PERCEPTION:Mindperceptions ACTION:Thinking NERVE,PLEXUS:Cavernousplexus PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Pituitary ORGANS:Cerebrum OTHER:Head PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, Visionary(practical) Reliable Capable LevelIminded Inventive Commanding Forgiving NEGATIVE:, Interfering Ungovernable(questionsauthor) Conflicting Snobbish

261 Headstrong(stubborn) Indecisive Devious

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263

264 CHAPTER,7, Sahasrara,Chakra, Thousand-Petalled-Lotus- ELEMENT, Consciousnessitselfistheseventhelement.Itisaformofprimevalawarenessthat constitutestheessenceofalltheotherforces.thiselementisnotoftenphysical worldbutratherthespiritualessencewhichpermeatesittothedeepestlevel.this consciousnessinitspureformisawareness.astheseventhelementitmakesup partoftheeternalrealmoftheuniverse;thatpartofeachindividualthatgoeson frombodytobody.thiselementistheessenceofyourbeing;itisthereinyour dreams,andeveninthedreamlesssleep.whereveryougotheremustbean awarenessofbeingthere;whetheritisheaven,hellorearth,youareconsciousof yourexistencethere.becauseofourhabitualpatternsofperceivingthroughthe mindwecannotremembermanyoftheseexperiences,memoryisafunctionof perceivingthroughthemindwecannotremembermanyoftheseexperiences; memoryisafunctionofmind,notofconsciousness.awarenessistheconstant,everi presentessenceofourbring.itisdifficultforthemindtoexperiencethisparticular elementbecauseitisthatwhichdoestheexperiencing,thewitnesstoalloflife. Asexplainedintheoldtexts,thereisatendencyforconsciousnesstobecome coloredbyandattachedtoexperience,justaswatertakesonthecolorofthedye youputinit.whenyouareworkingwiththebody,inhathayogaforinstance,you arewareoffeelingthebody,oftentothepointwhereyouthinkyouarethebody. Thesebodysensationsmaybeexperiencedasachesandpainsasyoubeingthe practice,thenmaydevelopintoflowingblissasyoureconditionyourphysicalbeing. Eitherway,theawarenessthatisobservingthesefeelingsisthepresenceofthe

265 seventhchakra.considerwhenyougetdistractedfromthesefeelingsandyouare busythinkingaboutsomethingelse,ordaydreamingiiiwhatisitthatgets distracted?itisyourawareness,lostinawhirlwindofthoughts,memoriesand possibilities. Throughthefiltersofthemindwehavelearnedtoanalyzeandrecognizeallhatwe experience,afterwhichweseethementalreflectionratherthantheclear impressionsofconsciousness.indreams,(dreamtime),innerexperiences,and highermeditationalstates,wecanperceivetherealitiesoftheuniversemore directly.itisunfortunatethatmemorycannotcontaintheseexperiencesofthe deeperstates;thismentalretentionwouldtakeitsimplerforustotapinto enlightenment. Oneofthetechniquesusedinyogatoexpandourexperiencesbeyondtherealmof normalconsciousnessistoremainawakewhilegoinginto,andbeyond,thedream state.thisprocessrequiresdeeprelaxationasabase,anditisessentialthatthe practitionerbewellgroundedandestablishedinthepracticesofvariousformsof yogasoastonotfallintodelusionalstatesinstead. Sahasrarachakraisactuallycenteredabovethehead,thoughitsawarenessgoes throughallaspectsofthebody.itisthecenterofourconsciousexperience.wehave astrongtendencyinnormallifetohaveitwrappedupinthevortexofmind energies,andthesekeepitentertainedforagesonend.yet,sahasrara,or consciousness,ahsthepowertodirectallfunctionsoftheenergiesatthesixlevels belowitwhenitisfree.freedom,orliberation,comesfromdetachingawareness primarilyfromthesensoryperceptionsandthesubsequentanalysisandjudgments ofthemind.wehaveapowerfulandcreativemind,capableofimaginingavarietyof attractivesensesandpresentingthemtoawarenessaspossibilitiestodaydream about.thesefantasiescanbeveryhypnotic,buttheycaneasilybecomeatrapwhen unfoundedinreality.imagininglifeaswewouldlikeittobe,fantasizingaboutideal relationships,ect.,cankeepusentertained,sometimesforalifetime.thenegative sideofthisentertainmenttranspireswhentheminddrawsonmanyofournegative memoriesofeventsorinformation,andspinsthemintoanightmareofpossibilities wewouldmuchratheravoid.thesepastmemoriesmaycomewithdoubtsandfears supportedbyguilt,andwbecomeunsureofwhatisreallyinstoreforus.allofthis negativemindconditioningneedstobedealtwithinwaysexplainedthroughthe previouschapters. Goingpastthisillusiverealmcantakeustotheexperiencesthatareactually happeninghereiandinow,inandallaroundus.whenthedirectionofawareness movesdownintothebodywecanperceivethesensationsofthemoment.withthe expandingconsciousnessthatstemsfromhathayogapractice,thesesensationscan spreadtoquitearangeofexperiences.aswenotedinanahatachakra,whichdeals withfeelings,thisrealmofperceivingcanreachintothedepthsofoursubconscious feelingstoobserveaquantityofsensoryinformationthatisstreamingintothemind atalltimes.experiencingthisiniflowingenergyfromanonijudgmentalperspective

266 canleadtorushesofblissfulfeelingsthatmayattimesbecomequiteorgasmic.on theotherhand,yogatechniquescanbeusedtowithdrawourawarenessformthe realmofthebodyanddirectitupandoutintotheenergiesoftheuniverseabove,to experiencetherealityoftheelectromagneticocean.herewemightfindourbliss againaswebecomeawareofthisuniversaldancingenergy,foreverchanginglikea cosmicsymphony;wecanperceivethisenergyasmandalasunfoldinglikeflowers asourawarenessflowsthroughthemandwefeeltheirvibration.this beyondthe body experiencesarisesinthecosmicmindwhereourawarenessisliterally swimmingthroughtheelectromagneticocean.here,ourperceptionofthebodyis absent,orhaschanged,transformedtoadirectperceptionofelectromagnetic energy.theawareelementofthis7 th chakracangofromdeepwithinthebodyto realmsofconsciousnesstotallyoutthereintheuniversalreality. Mantraisoneoftheprimarymethodsusedtoexpandourawarenessofthischakra, andmantrayogaisconsequentlytheyogicpathassociatedwithsahasrara.the techniqueknownasmantralaya,forexample,utilizesthevibrationalsoundsofall thechakraenergiesandbycombiningthesesoundsinacertainway,movesthe energyupthroughthemindtoelevateconsciousnessbeyondourthinkingstate.the mantrasusedinthislayatechniquearethefiftysoundsatthespecificfrequencies oftheenergybody:thepetalsoundsofthesixlowerchakrasarecombinedtocreate andupwardswhirlpoolingeffectonourenergies.yogisintuitivelyheardthesefifty soundsthousandsofyearsagoastheysatintheircaves(andtemples)listeningto theuniverse.thisishowthesanskritlanguagewasintuitivelydeveloped.intheir experimentsandresearch,theearlyyogisdiscoverednotonlythesounds,butalso howtoutilizetheminwaystoelevateconsciousnessfromthebodytotheupper realms.bychantingthesesoundstwentytimestheyachievedthesilencingofthe mindthatallowedthetranscendencetheywerelookingfor.fiftysoundsrepeated twentytimesmadeonethousand,sothislevelofawarenessinblissfulmusic becameknownasthethousandpetalledlotus,thecrownchakra:sahasrara.justas thelotusflowerfloatsabovethewater,(andfaraboveitsrootsdowninthemudat thebottomofthelake),sothisseventhchakrarisesabovematerialexistenceto bloominthecelestialrealms.hereweexistmoreinablissfulstateofexperience witnessingundifferentiatedmusic. Comparedtothemusicofthecosmos,theverbalandlogicalthinkingofthemindis likesomeonetalkingloudlyinadistractingargumentwhiletheorchestraisplaying. Asaresult,weareunabletohearthesofterpartsofthemusic. Atthelevelofthe5 th chakrawehearthestreamofelectromagneticenergyas sounds,words,thoughts,etc.intherealmofchakra7,however,theseindividual soundsareallheardtogether,formingasymphonyratherthanmerelyaseriesof independentsounds.justasanorchestramergestheinstrumentsintoapieceof music,thesoundsheardattheleveloftheseventhchakrabecomeharmonious rhythmsandmelodiesaswebecomeawareofthegreatersoundscape.intheindian view,thesacredsoundofaumisjustsuchasymphony,beingcomposedofthefifty soundsofthesanskritalphabetallresoundingtogether.ithasbeentheexperience

267 ofmanyayogitogouptotheselevelsoftheuniversewhereallsoundsareheard together,addingupandblendingintoamelodiouschord anundulatingwaveof harmonioustoneswhichcreateablissfulfeelinginthelistener. Musicandharmonyarecharacteristicsofthischakra.Thewaytheuniverseis designedallowsforallthevariousfrequenciesofenergytocoiexistinharmony mostofthetime.downthroughtheagesmanyofthesesoundshavebeendescribed byvariouscultureslikethetibetanandhindu,andwhenweopenourinnerear,we toocanheartheseenergiesasasymphony.infact,manyeasternculturesinvented musicalinstrumentstotryandrecreatethesecosmicsounds.thetambouraand sitarforinstance,producesoundsmuchlikethewaveringenergyfieldsofthe cosmos.thedidgeridoofromtheaboriginalpeopleofaustraliaalsogivesavery goodimpressionofsomeofthelowerfrequenciesthatareforevervibrantonthe inside.thentherearedrums liketheheartbeat thebeatoftheuniverse.these dayswehavethesynthesizer,aninstrumentthatcanfabricateanincrediblerange ofvibrationstoemulatetheflowinguniverse.inthecategoryofnewagemusicwe mightfindcompositionsthatresimilartotheunfoldingenergieswhichcanbeheard ontheinside.howmanymusiciansofthepast(mozartandbeethovenforinstance), andpresent,canactuallytuneintothesesoundsandreproducethemforothersto hear?restassuredthattheycanbeheard.whenyousitinaveryquiteplaceto meditateitispossibletodiscoverthesesounds. ENDOCRINE,GLAND, Thepinealglandisinfluencedbytheenergyofthiscenter.Thisglandisasmall coneishapedprojectionformthetopofthemidbrainofmostvertebrates,arising embryologicalasanoutgrowthofthebrain.itisabsentinsomemammalsand consistsofonlyafewcellsinlargercreaturessuchaswhalesandelephants.inthe averagehumanthestructuredevelopsuntiltheseventhyear,whenitisslightly largerthanapea.accordingtoswamigitananda,insomeindianyogisthisgland hasbeenshownthroughxiraystobethesizeofarobin segg. Thepinealglandhasbothneuralandendocrineproperties,anditsfunctionareonly beginningtobeunderstoodinwesternphysiologiy.insimplevertebratessuchas thelamprey,theorganismountedonastalkclosetoanopeningintheskulland functionsasaphotoreceptiveorgan.photoreceptivestructureslinkedwiththe pinealbodyarestillobservedinhighervertebrateslikereptilesandevensome speciesofbirds.inmammalsthepinealbodyisnotdirectlylightisensitive,buta neuralconnectionremainsbetweentheeyesandthegland.thefunctionsofthe pinealbodyinananimalarethusstilllinkedwithsurroundinglightlevels. Instudiesdonewithlightandcolor,forinstance,itwasseenthattheenergy impulsescomingfromtheeyesthroughtheopticnervesstimulatedthepinealgland toemitcertainhormones.duringthisresearch(donein1971byrca)researchers

268 establishedthateachcolorstimulatedtheproductionofaseparatehormone.these colorsinturngovernthehormonessubsequentlyproducedbythebody smaster gland,thepituitarygland,whichregulatestheproductionofhormonesthroughout therestofthebody.consequently,weseeachainofeventsgoingfromeachcolor andformthatwelookat,downintoourbodychemistrythroughtheendocrine system.asapracticalexperimenttodemonstratethispoint,trylookingata beautifulmandala,thenswitchyourfocustoapersonyoufindsexuallyattractive, andobserveyourmental,emotionalandphysiologicalreactionstowhatyoureyes areseeing.observeanddrawyourconclusions;thenyoumaydecidetochoose carefullywhatyoufocusyourattentionon.theseeffectsandothershavebeen knownforthousandsofyearsinschoolsofyogawherevisualconcentrationisan importantpractice.morerecentresearchhasshownthepinealglandtobequite sensitivetootheraspectsoftheelectromagneticspectrum,particularlytomagnetic fields. AnotherpieceofthebioIenergeticpuzzleisthehypothalamus.Itconsistsofatiny clusterofnervecellslocatedatthecenterofthebaseofthebrain,veryclosetothe pinealandpituitaryglands.definitelyinthe center ofourheads,the hypothalamusisresponsibleformanybodyfunctionsandservesasalinkbetween theautonomicnervoussystemandtheendocrinesystem.theprimaryfunctionof thehypothalamusistointegrateandensureappropriateresponsetostimuli;itthus regulateshunger,thirst,sleep,andwakefulness(sensesthataresaidtobegoverned bythe6 th chakra).italsoplaysanimportantroleintheregulationofmostofthe involuntarymechanismsofthebody,includingbodytemperature,sexualdrive,and thefemalemenstrualcycle.thehypothalamusalsoregulatestheworkofthe pituitarygland. Theisolationofthehormonemelatonin(in1958)ledtofurtherresearchonthe pinealbody.animalstudiesshowthattheglandsynthesizesandsecretesmelatonin almostentirelyatnight,andthatitceasesthisfunctionduringtheday.melatonin,in turn,affectsthefunctionsofotherendocrineorganssuchasthethyroid,adrenals andgonads.itdisplaysaverymellowingeffectupontheseglands,ourbehavior,and ourconsciousness.this mellowing affectsbreedingcyclesinanimalsandsexual activityinhumans.infact,theonsetofpubertymaybetriggeredbylowerlevelsof melatonin.(yogiscallthishormonalsubstancesoma,thedrinkofthegods,and thereismuchtechniqueandritualarounditsproduction).inmorerecentresearch thepinealglandhasbeenshowntobeinfluencedbyotherformsofmagneticand electromagneticwaves.experimentshavedemonstratedthatitrespondsto magneticfieldsbyproducingthishormone,whichaffectsboththehypothalamus andthepituitarygland.inturn,melatoninstimulatesthemanufactureandrelease ofthefertilityhormonesestrogenandprogesterone. In1987Dr.RossAidey,WhiteHourseChielfofStafffortheReaganadministration, publishedascientificpaper(cellmembranes,electromagneticfieldsdand IntercellularCommunication)announcingthat about20%ofpinealcellsinpigeons, guineapigsandratsrespondtochangesinbothdirectionandintensityofthe

269 earth smagneticfield.causingvariationinthepeptidehormonemelatonin,which powerfullyinfluencescircadianrhythms Asweprogressintothe21 st centurythis typeofresearchandobservationisfindingitswayintothepubliceye.both magneticfieldsandelectromagneticenergyhavepowerfulandverydirect influencesonourbrainandbodychemistry.thisinvisibleenergyhaslongbeen knownandutilizedbyyogis. Wecanlookatthelightandenergyphenomenonasaninstantexampleofmindover matter.withourawarenesswechoosewhatwewanttolookatandcreatea correspondingstateofmindandbody.ofcoursethiseffectisnotonlymentaland physical;itgoesfromonetotheotherthroughtheemotionalandenergeticaspects ofourbeing.considerthedifferencesinourfeelingswhenlookingatabeautiful sunsetasopposedtowhenwatchingahorrorfilm. Whataboutthemusicplayedinthefilm?Thisbringsusbacktosoundandits influenceonourstateofbeing.noticehowinfilmsmusicisoftenusedtocreatethe mood,fromromantictosadtofrightening.theseareallemotionalstateswhichcan obviouslybecreatedeasilybytherightcombinationofsounds.notethatthe harmonicsoundswilltendtostimulatethepleasantemotions,whilemorechaotic ordisharmonioussoundscancreateanxietyorfear.onceagainwecanchoosewith awarenesswhichsoundswewanttolistento,andcreatetheeffectwedesire.inthe 90stherewasafairamountofresearchdoneonthehealingaspectsofsound, enoughtoshowclearlythatouremotionalreactionstomusichaveastrong influenceonbothourbrainandbodychemistry. Justassoundsallcometogetherintheformationofacosmicsymphonyatthislevel, sodothecolorscometogethertoformulatewhitelight.theseventhchakraislikea crystalprismthroughwhichwhitelightpassesandbecomesrefractedintothe colorsoftherainbow,thevibrantenergiesofthechakras.atthesamepointwhere thelightsgetsseparateditalsobecomesunifiedwhengoingtheotherway.the whitelightthatweseecomingformthesunisinrealityacombinationofdifferent coloredlights,whichmakeupwhitewhenseentogether thefullspectrum.these differentcolorsoflightareinessenceelectromagneticenergieswithdifferent frequencies,and/orratesofvibration.theslowestspeedofvibrationthatwesee withoureyesgivesusthecolorred,whilethefastestwecanseegoesupintothe violetrange.belowreditfallsintoinfrared,whichwecannolongersee,butwefell asheat.aboveviolettheenergymovesintoultravioletandxirays,whichwealso cannotsee,yettheseareknowntohaveastrongimpactonus.withourinnereye wecanseethesehigherandlowerfrequencies,whilewithourinnerearwecanhear averybroadrangeofvibrations whichonceagainblendintosymphonic harmonies. CHARACTERISTICS,

270 Apersonbornintothisenergycenterwillgenerallydisplayanexpandedawareness, withcuriositymovinginmanydirections.theywillusuallyhaverefinedtastesin music,artsandintellectualpursuits,aswellasspiritualaptitudes. Whentheenergyisstrong,flowingandbalanced: Theindividualwillhavearefinedaweofspirituality,andanopenmind. Stronginterestinmusic,possiblygoodrhythmandanearfortone. Maylikemovementanddanceofagentlynature. Studious,withaninquiringmindandintellectualcapabilities. Reflectiveandcalm,enjoysmeditationandotherpeacefulactivities. Cheerfulandoptimistic. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: MighteasilybeoverIsensitive. Mayhaveaturbulentmindwithatendencytodwellinnegativethoughtpatterns. Introvertedandoverlystudioustotheexclusionofsociallife. Notintouchwiththebody,ungrounded;toomuchtimespentinthehead. Spiritualbeliefsandpracticesmaybetakentoextreme. Tendencytokeepbusy,losingtouchwiththepeacefulsideoflife. Whentheenergyisweakanddepleted: Maybelackingasenseofawarenessandcommonsense. Mightbecometooattachedtothematerialworld,spirituallifehasnoappeal. Maybeoutoftunemusically,withnosenseofrhythm. Easilydevelopstunnelvision,lackingconsiderationandsensitivityforothers. Tendencytobecomedepressedandunabletoseeapurposeinlife;notfunIloving. Intellectuallynotverycurious;mighthavealimitedbeliefsystem. MENTAL,DIRECTION, CenteristhedirectionortherestingIplaceofthisseventhchakraawarenesswhile youareinthebody.whenweviewthechakrasasvorticesalongthespine, center meanstheareaoftheheartchakra.fromthesphericalmandalaoftheminditisin themiddle,thepointfromwhichyoumightgonorth,south,east,west,downorup, intotherealmsofeachofthesixotherworldlychakras.theseareallawayfromthe centerofyourself,butontheotherhandawarenesscanexpandinallthese directionssimultaneously.thegoaloftakingjourneysineachofthedirections,in

271 themayansystem,wastoeducateoneselfandbecomeknowledgeableineachrealm. Returningtocenteraftereachjourneyisamustinordertoremainbalanced.This centeringiswhatultimatelycreatesanexpansionofawarenessisalldirections. InEasterntradition,Sahasararachakraisdepictedontopofthehead,notinit.The implicationhereisthatthisenergyisindependentofthebody.consideredtobethe firstofthehigherchakras,itformsatrianglewiththeeighthandninthchakras.as energyfieldsgo,theseventhisliketheprismthroughwhichuniversalenergyflows. Theenergyflowoftheuniversecomesfromtheninthchakraandgoestotheeighth IIIfromthestarstotheplanets. AsspiritualbeingslivingonearthwefindourselvesundertheseventhchakraIII rainbowsthathavebeenrefractedthroughtheprism.weareanimatedenergy formsofthechakraswithphysicalbodies.ourawarenessthenturnsoutwardtoour perceptionofphysicalreality,aperceptionwhichhasalltoooftenlostitsbrilliance andsometimesitscolor.yogaispossiblythemostcomprehensivesystemdesigned torestoretousthatcolorfulandmagicalviewoflifethatwehadaslittlechildren. Tuningupoursensesandmindalsorequirestuningupourbodies,so,asa

272 beneficialsideieffect,physicalhealthisrestoredaswell.yogaalsotunesusback intotheenergyworldfromwhichwecame. Becauseofthecenteringofconsciousnessinthisseventhchakra,andanawareness thatspreadsoutinalldirections,thereisatendencytolookatthingsasfitting together,aspartsofawhole,asiflife sexperienceswerepiecesofapuzzlewhich cometogethertomakethepicture.withthisawarenesswelookatwhatwehave physicallyandwhatwehave(learned)mentally,andtrytoarrangethepiecesina waythatfitsitallin.usuallyweliketomakecertainitfitsinwithourhigherideals, whethertheybephilosophicalorspiritual.welookatchakrasforinstanceandsee themnotasseparateenergies,butratheraspartsofanentirespectrum.likea rainbowthatprovidesabreathtakingscenemuchmoreinspiringthananysingle color,the7 th chakraexpandsourawarenesstoseethebeautyofthewhole.the samephenomenonappliedtomusicmakesusstrivetofindharmony;themusicians andtheirinstrumentsblendtogethertomakeaharmonioussymphony.

273 WiththisinmindwelookatMantra,Yogatocreatetheharmonyofsoundsthat blendtogether,elevatingourconsciousnessintoablissfulstate.sevenseeksthat harmonyofsightsandsounds,andcaneasilyrideonthesoundwavesallthewayto enlightenment,likeasurferridingawaveintotheshore,feelingentirelyatonewith it. THESEVENLEVELSOFSAMADHI InyogatherearesevenlevelsofenlightenmentorSamadhi.Thesearelevelsof perceptionthatourawarenessgoesthroughonthewaytoatotallyblissful universalawareness.thefinalstatesaretoofarbeyondtheworldlyexperienceto adequatelydescribe.althoughthehigherlevelsofsamadhiarenoteasilyattained, thebeginningstagesarequiteattainable. Thefirsttwostageareinfactveryworldstatesofmind,kindofchildlike,whereyou perceivetheworldyouarelivinginfromacolorfulandhappyperspective.these occurinthatpartofthemindthatdealswithfunctioninginthenormalworld.at thislevelofsamadhi,asinmostofthem,therearetwophasesortwokindsof perception:samprajnata%samadhiisthefirst,experienced withseed (anobject ofconcentration),orwithaction,orwithsomethinghappening.itisdescribedas thatstateofenlightenmentaccompaniedbyreasoning,reflection,blissandasense ofpurebeing. ItisstatedatafurtherpointintheSutrasthattherearealsotwoaspectswithinthe firstphase,savitarka%samadhiandnirvitarka%samadhi.savitarka%samadhiis thatinwhichknowledgebasedonwords(description),andordinaryknowledge basedonsenseperceptionandreasoning,arepresentinamixedstateallowingthe mindtoalternatebetweenthem.inthisstateofsamadhiwearehappily thinking aboutourexperienceanddescribingitsbeauty.then,ontheclearingofmemory, whenthemindlosesitsessentialsubjectivenatureandtherealknowledgeofthe objectaloneshinesthroughthemind,nirvitarka%samadhiisattained.atthisstage wearenolongerthinkingaboutanyobjectsnorarewecomparingoranalyzing them,butratherjustsaying Wow. Thencomesaphasesometimesreferredtoasbeinginacloudwherenothingis happeningatall.itisdescribedasfollowingthepreviousexperience,whentheseed (pratyaya)isdropped,leavingthemindblankastheremnantimpressionsfade away.thisvoidstateofmindisasamprajnata%samadhi;itisacloudystatethatcan reappearbetweenvariousstagesasblissfulexperience,withnothinginparticularto beblissfulabout.

274 Risingoutofthepreviouscloud,wecomeuptothenextstageofSamprajnata- Samadhiwhichtakesplaceinthehighermind.Onceagaintherearetwophases withinthestage.thefirstofthose,savicara,wouldbetheverbalthinkingaspect, contemplatingtheknowledgeofrealityinitsmanifestandethereal(energy)forms. Thisknowledgemightcomefromancientstexts,liketheSutras,orfrommore modernidayauthors;eitherwaytheywouldbe inspired wirings.someofthe informationmaybeaccurate,somemightbeopinionandrequireinterpretationor

275 evaluation,neverthelessitwouldberegardingblissfullyinspiringhigherideals.the secondphase,thatofnirvicara,takesusmoreintotheintuitiveandinspiredareas ofhighermentalactivity,whereverbalthinkingcannolongerkeepupwiththe vision.itislikeseeingthegreaterpicture,wherewordscanonlybegintodescribe onesmallpieceofthepuzzle.thenextstage,nirvicara,issimilartonirvitarkais thatrealknowledgeofthewholepicturesshinesthrough,andneedsnoexplanation. NextcomesthecloudninephaseofAsamprajnatawheretheenlightened knowledge(aboutthechakras,forinstance)isdroppedandfadesawayleavingan emptystateofawareness.thiscansometimesleaveuswiththemindofachild wherewearesimplystandinginawewithnoneedtounderstand. ThestagesofSamadhiwhichfollowthisareexperiencedthroughAnandamaya% kosha,thebodyofbliss:samprajnatasamadhiandsasmita.againwefindthe phasesofhavingseed(somethingonwhichtofocusthebliss)orwithoutseed (emptinesswithbliss).themindisnolongerpresentnorneeded,thereisnothing lefttothinkabouthere;theexperienceisclear,withoutclutterandbeyondwordsii Iwhichmakesitalsobeyonddescription. Asthepreviousstagewentbeyondwords,thethreestagesaboveitcannotbe graspedbythemindatall,yetthereisawarenessandstillsomethingforwhichtobe aware.inthenirbijastagethereisnothinglefttobeawareof.whileinthe DharmaWMega%Samadhithereisnoindividualawarenessleft,andnoreturn: individualityhasmergedwiththeuniverse.

276 % MANTRA%YOGA% % % % Sacred%Power%of%Sound% TheancientcivilizationsincludingtheEgyptians,Hindus,Tibetans,Greeks,Africans, NativeAmericansandotherindigenouscultureswereveryawareofthesacred powerofsound. Initspureessence,universalcosmicsoundisknowntotheHindusandBrahmansof theeastastheprimordialsound,aum.thehindusbelievedthatifyoucouldputall thesoundsoftheuniversetogethertheywouldsoundlikethisundulating vibrationalwaveofthesacredsoundaum.thissamesoundiscalledamuninthe ancientegyptiancultureandameninthereligionofchristianity. WhenanadvancedyogioryoginisitsindeepmeditationupontheAnahatachakra theycanhearthecosmicsoundoftheuniverse.anahatawhichisthenameofthe fourthchakrainthescienceofyogameans unstrucksound.thissoundisalready thefabricofthecosmicuniverse.otheradvancedmeditatorshavecommentedon thissoundaswell.itisinaudibletoone snormallevelofhearingbutwhenone silencesthemindthissacredsoundisheard. CosmicfrequenciescalledshrutisintheIndiansacredtexts(Vedas)wereheardby meditatingyogis.thesesoundswerechantedandeventuallywrittendownin mantramformulas.itissaidthatshrutismakeupthebodyofthevedicscriptures. InancienttimestheseVedictextswerechantedandmemorized. Inhisbook Healing-Sounds JonathanGoldmanreferstocreationmythsfrom differenttraditionswherethecreatorwouldmanifesttheworldthroughsound.this camethroughathought,vocalization,desireorvisualizationofthecreator. JonathonmentionssomequotesfromthebibleinhisHealing Soundsbook. Genesis1:3 AndGodsaid, LettherebeLight. (Here,-light-came-as-a-thought-manifested-by-the-Creator.)- St.John1:1 Inthebeginningwastheword (Here,-the-word-is-considered-a-thought-or-vocalized-sound-of-the- Creator.)-

277 Asmentionedinhiscommentaryonthe PowerofMantra ThomasAshleyIFarrand pointsoutthatinthevedictextsandthe SuptaBrahmasScriptures written centuriesbeforethebibleitissaid; InthebeginningwasBrahmanwithwhomwastheword (Vedas) InthebeginningwasGod,throughthepowerofspeech (Supta BrahmaScriptures) InhiswritingsJonathonGoldmanspeaksoftheHopilegend.TheHopiindigenous culturetalkofspiderwomanmanifestingcreationsupontheearththroughsong.as well,thestoriesoftheancientegyptianculturespeakoftheirgod,thoth,whocould bringthematerialworldintomanifestationthroughvocalizationofsacredsound. TheMayansapparentlyhavesaidthatthefirstenlightenedbeingsweregivenlifeby thesacredpowerofthevoiceandsounds. InthemysteryschoolsofEgypt,Rome,Greece,Tibet,Indiaandothercenters oflearning,theknowledgeofsoundwashighlyrefinedsciencebaseduponan understandingofvibrationastheprimarycausativeformoftheuniverse. IJonathanGoldman(HealingSounds) Variousancientcivilizationsbelievedthatthehumanbodywasnotonlyaphysical bodyforthesoulbutalsoavibrationalenergyfieldofcosmicsoundvibration. (cosmicconsciousness) EdgarCayce,thepsychicteacherknownasthe SleepingProphet spokeofthe ancientegyptianpriestsusingsevenvowelsoundstoactivatetheenergycentersin thebody.hesaidthesevowelsoundswerealsousedtoinvokedivine,celestial beings.inoneofhischannelingsessionscaycespokeofsoundasbeingthemedicine oftheancientculturesandtobecome,onceagain,themedicineandknowledgeof ourfuturemoderntimes. Manyoftheancientculturesusedsoundinmanyformsofhealingandritual ceremonies.someoftheseculturesbelievedthateveryorganandsysteminthe physicalbodyhasitsownresonantfrequency.whensomethingwasoutofharmony adissonantpatternwouldcreateillnessanddisease.soundwasusedasamethodto bringthebodybackintobalance.goldmantalksaboutthisinhisbook.hesaidthat inancientgreece,thegod,apollo,washonoredasthegodofmusicandmedicine. TherewerehealingtemplesinancientGreecewhichusedmusicandsoundfor harmonizingthebodyandspirit.edgarcaycealsospokeofotherancienttemples suchasthoseinancientegypt. IntheEasterntraditions,thepowerofmantrachantinghasbeenusedforthousands ofyearsforhealing,manifestationandspiritualevolution.

278 IntheVedas,India soldestscriptures,aumisdescribedasbeingthebasic naturalforceinherentthroughoutallfothephenomenaofnatureandfrom whichallotherforcesarederived.throughthevibratorypowerofaumgod createdandsustainstheentireuniverse.descendinginfrequencyfromthe realmsofpurespiritintothearenasoftimeandspace,theaumvibration shapesandorganizesprimordialenergytomatterinsuchawayastocause atomstocoalesce,thusmanifestingphysicalmatter.allthatexistsis thereforeconceivedasbeingfundamentallyvibrationalinnature. I DavidTame(TheSecretPowerofSound) Todayinourmoderntimesthescientistsofquantumphysicsareacknowledgingthe factsthatatitsverycorematterismadeupofvibrationalparticlesofenergy. Pythagoras,oneofthegreatGreekphilosophersknownasthe FatherofGeometry spokeofthe MusicoftheSpheres.Hewasoneofthoseawakenedbeingswhocould hearthecosmicfrequenciesofthesacreduniverse.hetaughtthatthemovementof theplanetsintheuniversecreatedsound.pythagorassaidthesoundsofthe universecouldbeheardbythosewhoconsciouslylistened(secretpowerofsound). Hetaighthisadvancedstudentsthisdisciplineofmeditation.Throughtheinvention oftheoneistringedinstrumentcalledthemonochord,pythagorascorrelatedand taughttheratioofmusicalintervalsandtheirharmonicnotes.davidtamespeaks aboutthediscoveriesofpythagorasinhisbook,thesecretpowerofsound. Soundisdefiantlyconsideredthephenomenaofallofnature. Mantra,Yoga, Thewordmantra(mantram)comesfromtheSanskritroot manas which translatesintothewordmindand trai whichmeanstoliberate;toprotect. SometeacherssuchasJonathonGoldmantranslatemantraasthe thoughtthat liberatesandprotects.somemysticaltextsrefertomantraassacredsound, scientificsoundformulas,thescienceofsoundorvocalprayer. Mantrachanting,whichiscalledjapainSanskrit,istherepetition(silently,spoken orsung)ofanaffirmativesoundformulaormantram.sanskritsyllablesarestrung togetherbasedontheunderstandingofthescienceofsoundtocreateorinvokea particularenergeticexperience. Amantraisavocalprayer.Itisasyllableorword,oraseriesofsyllablesorwords, vestedwiththespiritualpowertoevokedivineshaktienergytomanifestwithinthe jiva(being). ISatyava

279 Mantra,Yogaisconsideredtobeoneoftheoldestandhighestformsofyoga.The fourknownsacredtextsofindianculturecalledthe VedicScriptures arewritten andsunginmantricverseormantralanguageformulas.thesesacredteachings educatetheseekeraboutthescienceofyogaaswellasthescienceofmantra. Accordingtotheteachingsthissciencedatesbacktoover5000ormoreyearsago. InhisaudiocommentaryonThe-Power-of-Mantra,ThomasAshley Farrandstates thattheancientsanskritlanguagedatesbacktoalmostsevenoreightthousand yearsagoandthatiswasanorallanguagebeforetheartofwriting.ashleyifarrand saidsomeoftheoldestsacredteachingsinthebeginningwereoralchantsand dissertationsofawakenedbeingscalledseersandsages.theseenlightenedbeings receivedtheknowledgeofthesacredteachingsoftheuniversewhileinsamadhi meditation.theyverbalizedthewordsofwisdomandmantracomingthroughthem andthesesongsandpoetrywerelaterwrittendowninthesacredtextsofthe Easternteachings.(Vedas,-Upanishads-&-others) TheSanskritlanguageisessentiallyanancientscienceofsoundcomposedof soundsandwordsbasedonthesubtlevibrationsthatunderlietheelements oftheworld,saysswamiakandananda.thereisaninherentconnection betweenthesoundofsanskritandtheactualrealitythatitrepresents. Especiallypotentsyllables,calledbijaorseedsyllables,arestrungtogether likegenesonastrandofdnatoformchantscalledmantram. IRobertGass(Chanting) Inthespiritualdisciplineofthe ScienceofYoga theyogimasterscalledrishis,seer andsagesareacknowledgedastheoriginalfoundersofthesanskritlanguage.seer istranslatedinsanskritas theonewhosees.also,accordingtotheancient teachings,seersheardparticularmaha(great)mantraswhileinablissfulstateof SamadhiandthesemantrassuchastheGayatrimantrawerepasseddownto enlightenedteachersoftheages.todaythereareanumberofmahamantrasto choosefrom. TheSanskritlanguageisalsoreferredtoasthe HolyLanguage foritisbasedonthe scienceofsound;thegeometricandrhythmicvibrationalpatternsofthecosmic universe.bysittingindeepstatesofmeditationforlongperiodsoftimetheseseers wouldlistentothesoundsofthecosmicuniverseaswellastothesubtle frequenciesoftheirhumanenergybody.throughdedicatedyearsofpracticethey begantoscientificallynamethefrequenciesoftheenergybodywhichcorresponded tothesoundoftheuniverse.thesesoundfrequenciesaswellcorrespondedtohe chakraenergycenterslocatedalongthehumanspinalcolumn. InIndiaitistaughtthattheseseerscouldactuallyseethepetalsofthechakras. Uponseeingandlisteningtothefrequenciesofthechakrastheseseersnamedeach particularfrequencyandthusinscribedthesanskritlanguage.thesanskrit

280 alphabetcontains50letterswhichinclude16vowelsounds.interestinglyenough,it isalsotaughtinthescience-of-yoga- -Chakra-Systemthatthereare50chakrapetals whichmakeupthesixchakracentersinthebody.whentheyogioryoginichants thesoundsofthesepetals20timesonecanattainanopeningofthethousand petalledlotusknownassahasrara(7 th Chakra).Thisyogicdisciplineiscalledthe Mantra-Laya. Thebijamantrasknownastheseedsoundofthechakrasaswellasthepetalsounds canbechantedintheirpureformtotransformone sconsciousness.mantrais sometimesreferredtoasthelanguageofthechakras. VariouslanguagessuchastheLatinlanguageisbasedontheancientSanskrit language.itisalsointerestingtonoteaswellthattheoldcatholicmasseswerealso sungtextlinkthatofthevedicscriptures.inthevedictextsmantrachantswere scientificallyformulatedtocreateacertainvibrationinthehumansubtleenergy bodywhileopeningthedoortothehigherconsciousness. InHindumythologythereveredGoddess,Saraswatiishonoredwithandgoverns theprincipleofspeechandmantra.sheisknownasthegoddessofpoetry,music, andspiritualwisdom.sheisreferredtoastheessenceofthevedicscripturesand thebestowerofthemahamantrasofindia.sheisthefeminineaspectofthe masculinecreatoroftheuniverse,brahma. Accordingtotheteachings,spiritualteachersaresaidtotransmitthepowerof mantrathroughthesaraswatiprinciple.inhisaudiocommentariesonmantra, ThomasAshleyIFarrandsaidenlightenedteacherssuchasParamahamsa Yogananda,MuktanandaandRamaKrishnaspokeoftheirpersonaltransmissionof theshaktipowerthroughthegoddesssaraswati.musiciansandpoetsofindiaand TibetbringpraiseandworshiptoSaraswatitoinspirethemintherelearningand creativewritingsofmusicalcompositions. InhisdissertationonthePower-of-Mantra,AshleyIFarrandtalksaboutsomeofthe characteristicsofmantra.hesaysmantrasareenergybasedratherthanmeaning based.forexamplethebijamantrasareoneisyllablesoundsthathavenoliteral translation. Accordingtotheteahcings,mantrasdonothaveanexacttranslationbutonlyan approximatetranslation.themeaningofthemantracomesthroughthejapa (repetition).itisafterthepersonhaschantedthesoundformulaseveraltimesthat theywillexperiencethemeaningandthemanifestationofthatmantra. AshleyIFarrandaswellasotherteachersspeakoftheintentionbehindthemantra. Theysaythatfocusingonourintentionbehindthemantrawillalsomakeiteven morepowerful.thecombinationofsoundsandvisualizationwillequal manifestationofdifferentlevels.althoughyoustillwillgetresultswithout visualizationbutitmaytakealittlelonger.

281 Mantraalsostimulatesthepraniclifeforceinthebody.Therepetitionofthemantra energizesthepranathusstimulatingactivityofthechakrasandrejuvenationofthe physicalglandsandorgans.itisalsotaughtthatmantracanbalancethepositive (solar)andnegative(lunar)channelsoftheenergybodytherebyactivatingthe Kundalinienergyatthebaseofthespine. Inhisbook,Healing-Mantras,ThomasAshleyIFarrandsaysthepracticeofmantra helpsonetosafelypreparethechakrastoreceivelargeamountsofpranic, Kundalinienergy.Thechantingofthemantrabeingstoslowlypurifynegative vibrationsintheenergybodywhichallowthechakracenterstoreceivemoreand morepranicenergy.kundalinicaneasilyascendupwardthroughthenadichannel andspinalcolumnpiercinghechakrasalongtheway.itissaidthatbecausethereis pranicenergy,whichissometimesrelatedtoasanenergyoffire,stimulatedinthe bodyofthechanteronemaybecomealittleirritableorshorttemperedattimes. Thisisbecausethereisapurificationtakingplaceinthechakrasandenergy channels.itisadvisedthatthechantertakeafewdaysoffjapaorlessontheamount ofjapaperdayuntilthisclearingsubsides. Mantrascalmthemind.Therepetitionofamantrabeginstoabsorbthewandering thoughtsofthebusymind,silencingthechatterofthesubconsciousmind,whichin turnbeginstocreateonepointedness,focusandconcentration.japaisagreatwayto enteraquietstateofmeditation.itisagreatdisciplinetoemptyone scupandopen uptothespiritualwisdom,guidanceandinspirationofthecosmicuniverse. Chantingspecificmantrasareincredibletoolsforhealingaswell.Bychantinga particularmantraonemaybesynchronisticallyledtoacurefortheirailment.as well,bychantingamantraandfocusingonaparticularorganorareaofthebody onecanconcentratepraniclifeforceintotheareaandhelpinducerejuvenationor healing.thisisusingthepowerofthemindandsoundtocreateadesiredresult. How,does,one,practice,mantra?, Oncecanpracticemantrainternallyinone smindorvocallyoutloud.traditionally inindiaandtibetseedmantrasandmahamantrashavebeenrecitedwithoutany particularmusicormelodyandspokeninmoreofamonotonevibration.itissaid thechanterwillnotbedistractedbythemelodyandcandeepenthevibration throughthespokenformula. Mantrahasalsobeenchantedinaformofkirtan,bhajanchantingwherethereisa leadsingerandagrouprespondingtotheleadsinger.thisisnamedcalland responsechanting.thisisusuallyledwithmusiciansandsingerthereforethe mantrasdohavesomemelodies.theseareusuallymantrastoaparticulardeityin theancienttraditionoraffirmativeprayers.thisstyleofchantingdoeshavegreat

282 benefitsofhealing.,calmingthestateofmindofthechanteraswellasawakening one shigherconsciousness. Inmoderndaymantrasarealsochantedtomorecontemporarymusicinacalland responseformorunisonsigning.thisformofchantingseemsmoreaccessibletothe generalpublicandhasmanyofthesamebenefitsaswell. Itisalsorecommendedthateventuallyonetakeaparticularmahamantraasone onlypersonalmantraandchantitdaily.thelongeronestayswiththesamemantra thegreaterthespiritualevolutionofthechanter.mantrascanbeonewordsuchas RamawhichwasthemantraofthegreatMahatmaGandhioritcanbeonelinesuch astheancientformulaommanipadmehumandlastlyitcanbeaphrasesuchasin thegreatgayatrimantra. InsomespiritualtraditionssuchastheHinduandTibetantraditions,malabreads areusedtochantthemantraandcountthenumberofroundsdone.malabeadsare similarottherosaryinthechristiantraditionexceptthereare108beadsonamala and54beadsonarosary.themalabeadsareusuallymadeofseedsorvarious typesofwoodsuchassandalwood. InhisresearchonmantraThomasAshleyIFarrandfoundthattheVedicscriptures speakof108principleastralchannelsleadingfromtheheartinthesubtlebodyout totherestoftheenergybody.inthechakrayogicsystemstheteachingsspeakof 108nerveimpulsesinthecentralnervoussystemthatrespondto108repetitive soundsorbreaths.hindumythologiesspeakof108namesgod. Thedailyrepetitionofamantratakesrootintheconsciousnessofthereciterand willevenarisewithoutthechanterthinkingaboutit.itissaidthiscanhappen especiallyintimesofdangerorconflict.bysendingamantradeepintothe subconsciousmind,throughjapa,oneexperiencesclearingofnegativethought patternsandhabitsatthecellularlevelofone sbeing. Topracticeyourmantrayoumayfollowaspiritualdisciplinebycreatingaquiet meditativespaceinyourhomeorinnature.youmaychoosetochantyourmantra withthemalabeadsorwithout.aswellyoucansubivocallyreciteyourmantra whilewalking,running,biking,waitinginlineordoingmechanicaltalks.thisisa greatwaytocalmthebusymindandcreatemoreclarityinone slife.itisnot recommendedthatonepracticetheirmantrawhiledrivingforjapahasatendency totakeoneupintothehigherchakrasandmoreoutofbody.oneneedstobemore physicallypresentwhendriving. Practicingmantraatsunriseandsunsetisagreattraditionalformofchantingas well.thisisespeciallyrecommendedwiththegayatrimantra.alsopracticing mantrasuchastheprimordialsound,aum,earlymorning(4am)orbeforebedtime isagoodspiritualdisciplineandwillcreatealotofsynchronicityandharmonyin one slife.

283 Youmaytrypracticingmantrabothways.Inaquietmeditativeplaceinthemorning aswellasinternallyinyourmindthroughouttheday.thisisveryeffectiveand bringsaboutdesiredresults. Therearemantrastohelponecopeinthematerialworld,healingmantrasaswellas mantraspecificallytaughttoraisetheconsciousnessofthechanterandawakenone alongtheirspiritualpath. Therearecertaintraditionalmantrascalledthemahamantrasthathavemore powerandpotencyfortheyaremantrasthathavebeenheardbytheseersof ancienttimesandpasseddowntomanyteachersthroughtheages.thesemantras havebeenchantedforthousandsofyearsandarepartofthefabricofthecosmic universe.whenonechantstheemantrasoneattunestothefrequenciesofthe mantra,whichisalreadyvibratinginthegeometricconfigurationofthemystical universe. Someofthesemahamantrasare: GayatriMantra OmManiPadmeHum HareKrishnaHareRama ShriRamJaiRam HeartSutraMantra(GateGate.) OmNamahShiva OmNamoBhagavateVasudevaiya OmTaraTuttareTureSoHa(Hum) TryamBakam Justasanexternalsoundproducesmovementsofair(vayu)inwaves,soin theinnerspaceofthejiva s(being)body,wavesareproducedbythe movementsofthevitalair,pranaivayu,bythechantingofamantra.the wavesofheatgeneratedbythechantingactivatekundalinitherebyshakti& divineconsciousnessaremanifestedwithinthejiva ISatyavan AshleyIFarrnadspeaksoftheEasterntraditionschoosingadisciplineof40daysto reciteamantraforaparticulardesiredresult.thisiswhenoneistryingtomanifest somethinginthematerialworldsuchasabundance,goodfortune,inspiration,a soulimateandsoon.forhealingmantrassomepeoplewillchooseupto120days. Othershorterdisciplinesare21or27days. Onecanchoosetodoaparticularmantraofmanifestationalongwiththeirchosen dailymantrasaswell.

284 Practicingyourmantrainthesamespaceeachdaywillchargetheenergyofthat spacemakingitmoreofasacred,meditativeplacetosit. Inhisteacher smanual,the-healing-power-of-sound,simonheatherrecommends writingyourmantraoutoverandoveragaintohelpcalmtheemotionalmind.also chantingwithlargegroupsofpeoplecanbeveryupliftingandenergizing.inoffering oursanskritchantingcirclesinvictoriathelastfouryearsicanattesttothemany benefitsofgroupchanting.itiswonderfultojoininsongwithcommunity.simon remindsonethatchantingoveracertainperiodoftimewillgenerateacertain amountofspiritualenergyinone sbeingthatwilldrawoneclosertothedivine. Chantingamahamantrabeginstoremovetheveilsofillusionandignorance connectingonewiththesourceofcreation. Inhisbookonmantram,Indianscholar,EknathEswaran,speaksofthepowerofa dailymantra.accordingtotheancientteachings,hepointsoutthatifthelastwords ofadyingpersonistheirmantrathenthisiswheretheperson senergywillbe drawntoorthiswilldecidetheplaneofexistencethepersonwillbeattachedto.he spokeofgandhi.hesaidthatatthemomentofhisdeathgandhi smahamantra, RamaRama,roseinhismindandwerethelastwordsonhislips.Thereforeitissaid thathewouldbeunitedwiththedivineconsciousnessoftheuniverse.rama,inthe ancientteachings,isrecognizedasanavatarorgod. Itissaidthatdevotedchantingofthedivinenamesofthespiritualuniversewill eventuallyunitethereciterwiththisdivineconsciousness.accordingtoresearch, theancientegyptianpriestswerealsoknowntousesacredvowelsoundsininvoke spiritualenergies. Mantra,is,not,a,religion, Mantrachantingisnotareligionbutitisaspiritualdiscipline.Spirituallyisthe natureofthesacreduniverseandtheearth.mostreligiouspeopletendtobe spiritualandfollowaparticularsetofreligiousbeliefs.mantratranscendsall religionsandiscommontoallbeings. OnedoesnothavetochangetheirreligioninordertopracticemantraforSanskritis notareligion.theholylanguageofsanskritisbasedonthevibrationalfrequencies ofthecosmicuniversethereforeitisnotpolarizedtoanyparticularreligion althoughitdoestendtofallunderthephilosophiesofthehinduandtibetan traditionsfromwhichthesanskritlanguagewasfounded. EknathEswaranalsostatesthatifoneisuncomfortablechantingmantramformulas inthesanskritlanguagethenonecanchantsomethingclosertotheirreligiousbelief

285 system.forexampleforthosewhodonotwanttochantramaorkrishnaeswaran saysonemaychantjesus,christi,allah,avemariaorhailmaryforasimilarresult. Hesaysthereisalotofpowerbehindtheintentionofthechanterandtherepetition ofaparticularsoundordivinename.ifitiseasierforapersontoreachasublime statechantingthenameofchristi,jesus,allah,eswaransaysthisiswhatoneshould usewhenrecitingthenamesofgod.headdsthatitwillgetyoutothesameplace. Repetitioussingingofaffirmativesongsorvowelswillalsoenhancethe consciousnessofthereciter. Mantra,&,Karma, Asmantrastimulates,energizesandclearsnegativevibrationsformthechakrasand subtlebodykarmaisalsobeingclearedorburnedoff.thevibrationproducedby thechantingofaparticularmantracaneventuallybreakdownnegativekarmic patternsstoredinthebody. Thiskarmacanbepreviousnegativethoughts,judgments,oldconditioningand habitsstoredinone ssubconsciousmindaswellasthekarmaonehasaccumulated frompreviouspastlives. InaudiocommentaryonthePower-of-Mantra,ThomasAshleyIFarrandspeaksofthe fourdivisionsofkarmadescribedinthevedas.sanchitakarmaisthekarmatalked aboutabove.itisthesenegativeconditioningssortedintoourcellularbody.another formofkarmacalledprarabdha-karmaarelessonswegavetoourselvesforthis lifetimetoresolve.agmi-karmaisthekarmafromouractionsinthislifetimethat willaffectfuturelives.alastformofkarmaiskriya-manikarmaorpopularlyknown asinstantkarma. Mantraspenetratethevibrationalpatternsofthesestoredkarmas,harmonize,and raisethevibrationofthereciter.thishigher,spiritualvibrationonthechantercan thenattractmorepositiveexperiencesandcircumstances.thepowerofthese sacredformulascantransformourrealityandpurifyourenergybeing.greatmaha mantrashavebeenknowntobringthechantertohighstatesofenlightenmentand liberationfromthecyclesofdeathandrebirth. IntheVedicAstrologyoftheEasttherearealsomantrasforeachoftheplanets.Itis saidbychantingthesemantrasonecanlessontheeffectsofplanetssuchassaturn s returnandsoon. The,benefits,of,mantra,chanting:,

286 Thereisgreatresearchinourmoderndayonthemanybenefitsofallformsof sacredsinging,voweltoning,harmonicovertonechantingaswellasmantra chanting.eachofthesedisciplineshasapositiveeffectuponthephysical,emotional andspiritualbody thebody,mind&spiritthecells,organs,muscles,bonesand theentirephysicalbodyrespondswelltothehealingvibrationofsoundsand mantra. Mantrarepetitionbeginsavibrationthatpermeatestheentirebody.Sustained repetitionofamantrawilleventuallyvibrateeverycell,everyatomandevery moleculeofone sbeing. Physicalbenefitsofmantrachantingareasfollows: Oxygenatesthecellswhiledecreasingtheconsumptionofoxygeninthebody Calmsrespirationrate,heartrateandslowstherateofmetabolism Relaxesthemuscles,distressesthebodywhilecalmingthemind Lowersbloodpressure Improvesbloodandlymphcirculation Deepensbreathing Helpstorelievechronicpain StimulatestheautoIimmunesystem Stimulatesenergyflowthroughthemeridianpathwaysinthebody Chargestheentirebrainwhileincreasingbrainactivityandmemory Equalizesbrainwaveswhileinducingthealphabrainwaveactivityfor relaxation&visualization Energizespranainthebodyforrejuvenationofthecells,glandsandorgans Increaseslevelsofmelatonininthebrainandmassagestheentireinnerbody Psychologicalbenefitsofmantrachantingareasfollows: Repetitivechantingfreesthebusymindbringingonetoaplaceofcalmness, oneipointednessandconcentration Sharpensclarityandalertnessofthemind Calmstheemotions,impedesanxietyandhelpstodecreaseinsomnia Silencesthesubconsciouschatterandbeginstodeletenegativethought patterns Enhancescreativityandopensthedoortoinspirationsaswellasproblem solving HeartIopeningtherebyincreasingone spatience,trustandinnerpeace ImprovesselfIconfidence Weakensorburnsone snegativekarmicpatterns Helpstoliftdepressionespeciallywhenchantingwithlargegroupsofpeople Balancesthesolarandlunarenergycurrentsinthebody(pingala&ida) Helpsonealongtheirdharmicpath;guidesone spurposeinlife

287 Spiritualbenefitsofmantrachantingareasfollows: Byactivatingthepraniclifeforceatthebaseofthespineandinthechakra centersmantrachantingisawakeningonmanylevels;kundaliniawakening Cleanses&purifiestheenergybodywhileraisingtheconsciousnessofthe reciter Helpstoremovetheveilsofillusionandignorancewhichinturnhelpsone alongtheirdharmicpathandlife spurpose Releasesonefromthebondageofpredeterminedkarmiccircumstances Balancesthepingala(positive,solar)andida(negative,lunar)energy channelsinthebodythusonceagainactivatingkundalinienergyatthebase ofthespine Createsamagnetic,positivecurrentofenergyaroundthechanterwhich enablesonetoattractmorepositiveandsynchronisticenergiesor experiences Enhancesthespiritualchargeofenergyineachofthechakracentersaswell ashelpsopenthechakras Invokesdivineenergy Easesthesufferingofthedyingandpreparesonefordeath/liberation Createsmoredesireandawarenessofbeinginserviceforthegoodof humanity Createsmorepeace,loveandjoyinone slife FromhisresearchonthepowerofmantraAshleyIFarrandsaidthatintheVedas SanskritmantraiscalledDevaLinguawhichtranslatesastheLanguageoftheGods andgoddesses. MantraYogaisawonderfuldisciplinetoexplore,practiceandsharewithyour communityoffriendsandfamily.bygatheringincirclesofchantoneishelpingto evolveone sownconsciousnessaswellastheconsciousnessofourglobalplanet. AUM,SHANTI,SHANTI,SHANTI,AUM, Marina-

288 Sahasrara,Chakra,Routine, Centeryourselfinfeelingeverymoveyoumakeandeverybreathyoutake. 1. CleansingbreathfirstandthentheAIUIMwithhandpositions.Feelthe vibration. 2. Squatdowntoaninhalationandpushyourselfupasyoupushourthe breathiii27times. 3. Padottanasana:legstretchpose.Withyoufeetwideapart,takeinabreath andexhaleasyoubendforward,withyourbackstraight.handscometo touchthefloor.breathedeeplyasyouholdtheposeandtwistyourpelvis fromsidetoside.observewherethestretchingmovesto.legsremain straight.whenyoucomeup,doittoaverydeepinhalation.#93 4. Trikonasana:thetriangle.Withyoufeetfurtherapartbringyourarms straightuptobeparalleltothefloor;breatheindeeplyandasyouexhale, bringyourrighthanddowntothefloorbesideyourleftfoot.otherhand pointsuptotheceiling/skyandyourheadturnstolookatthathand.inhale up.tryitthreetimesoneachside.# Paarshwarita%trikonasana:trianglevariation.Fromthesamefootstance, bendovertoeachsideontheexhalation;pelvisisheldstraight,soarethe legs.# Withlegsclosertogether,moveintoforwardandbackwardbending, exhalingwiththebendsandinhalingtothestraightposition.attheendtake inadeepinhalationandholditmomentarily.#94 7. Rapidtwistingisdonebyturningandswingingthearmsaroundbehindyou oneachsidetoanexhalation.breatheingoingthroughtheforwardposition. Emphasizetheexhalation.#98

289 8. Cometoasittingposition,ontheheels,facingwest,andbreathe4I16I8I4, ninerounds. 9. Nowmoveintopaschimottanasana,forwardstretch.Fromapositionsitting onyourbuttocks,legsstretchedoutfront,moveforwardtograbyourtoes andpullyourheaddowntoyourknees.exhalingdown,workyouwayintoit withmovementandwithcasualbreathing.# Lieonyourbackandgointohalasana,theplough.Liftupbothlegs,bring themupoveryourheadanddowntothefloor.rockyourbodybackand forthabittogetcomfortableintheposition.breathingisshallow.thenbring yourhandsuptosupportthebackandliftyourlegsupintotheshoulder stand.doanyvariationsyoufeelareappropriate.togodown,gobackinto theploughandgentlyrollyourbackdowntotheflooronevertebraatatime. # Fromthelyingdownposition,bringyourfeetuptoyourbuttockswithknees upintheair;handsgoupovertheheadanddowntothefloor.nowpushup intovilomasana,thebridge.dropyourheaddowntotouchthefloor,put someweightonit.breathedeeply.ifyouarereadyforit,goupinto chakrasana,thewheelbyliftingyourheadoffandgoingashighupasyou can.watchyourlowerback;maybetiltthepelvisbacksoastonotoverbend it.vigorousdeepbreathinginthisposeisquitestimulatingforallchakras andtheirphysicalcomponents.#44, Ardha%matseyendrasana,theclassicalspinaltwist,isdonewithonefoot besideyouandonecrossedovertheknee.armupoverthatkneeandhand downtothefoot.exhaletothetwist,andinhaleasyourelaxoutofit.# Sittinginvajrasana,facingsouth,dothesecondpancha%sahita,4I4I6I Stretchlegsoutfrontforshirsh%janu%asana,headItoItheIkneeIpose, beginningwithhandsinfrontofthechestandstretchingthemuptothesky withtheinibreath,downtothetoesontheoutibreath,withheadcomingto theknees.rockyourselfdownintotheposition.bothsidesthreetimes.# Parighasanathelockedgatepose.Nowcomeuptotheknees,straightenone legouttotheside,andwithanexhalationbendovertothatside.breathein andoutfeelingyourselfstretchfurtherwitheachoutibreath.# Instandingpositionwithfeetapart,beginflexibilitymovementsthatare innovativeandwithoutstructure,movingineverypossibleway dancing fluidlyasifyouwereaskinbagfullofwater. 17. Downtovajrasana,thengobackdowntoyourelbowsandbackfurtherto touchthetopofyourheadtothefloor(supta%vajrasana).breathingisdeep andfeelthestretchinthethroatarea.# Nowinthethunderbolt,facingeast,breathe8I4I4I Janu%Shirsh%Asana:kneetotheheadpose.Insittingpositionwithonefootin tothethigh,theotherfootisheldwiththehandsandbroughtupstraightin front,thenpulledintothehead;eachside.inhalestraighteningthelegout, exhalepullingituptothehead.# Fromthesameposition,bringthetoeintotouchtheforehead.Wiggle aroundinittoloosenupareastataretight.

290 21. CrossIleggedpositionforaspinaltwist,lefthandtorightknee,otherhandon floorbehind.exhaleasyoutwistandinhalecomingforward. 22. Sittingbetweentheheels,dopurna%usthrasana,theextendedcamel,coming uptothekneesandbendingbackuntilthehandsholdtheheels.breathe deeplyandvigorouslyinthroughthenoseandoutthroughthemouth.# Facingnorth,sittingonheels,breathe16I8I4I Sevenpartsoftheoli%mudrasasdescriedbelow. 25. Finalbreathingtothewest,with4I16I8. THE%OLI%MUDRAS% Theseareagroupofpracticesdonebytheintermediatestudentofyogafor thepurposeofchangingortransmutingtheenergyusuallydissipatedthroughthe physicalbody,intothefirepoweroftejas,andthehighermindenergy,ojas.sexual energyischangedfromitsrawformandconvertedintoahigherformofcreative energy.(obviouslysexualenergyiscreativesincewewereallcreatedfromit.)this energyisthenusedinaprocessofrejuvenationsasthecellsofglandsandorgans arereicreatedinhealthypatternswhichresultingreatervitality.someofthelife forceispulledoutofthespermandovaries,keepingthereproductivesystemin check,anddrawnupthespinetobereidistributedalongtheendocrineglandsand changethehormonalbalanceswithinthebody.emotionstouchedoffbysex impulsesaretonesdown,leavingthemindinamorepeacefulstateandmore capableofturningintotherealmsofthehighermind,vhgyana-maya-kosha.when accompaniedwiththeproperframeofmindandspiritualmotivation,thesemudras produceperfecthealthandaverylonglife.intheoverallpracticeofyogatheyareto bedoneinconjunctionwiththeloaya-yoga-kriyasforthearousalandcontrolof Kundalini-Shakti.(advanced) Vajroli%1:Startingfromshavasana,doastraightbacksitup,usingthehands;then placethemalittlefurtherbackwithfingerspointingforward,blastoutthebreath whileleaningforward,lockitout,applythebandha-trayam.nowleanback,liftthe legshighoffthegroundandupoverthehead,holdthispositionwiththeheldout breathfor32secondswhileyouareessentiallybalancedonyourtailboneand hands.youmightfeelenergyimpulsesjumpingfromthetailboneandshakingthe wholebody.good.afterwardscomedownveryslowly,takinginabreathandletting itoutasyouliebackdownandrelax,withdeepbreathing. Vajroli%2:Againyousitupfromthecorpseposture,butthistimecomeupintothe boat,navasana,withthehandsonthethighs.adeepbreathistakencomingup,now itisblastedoutinonebigwhoosh,thebandha-trayamisapplied,andthehandsslide

291 upthelegstotakeholdoftheankles.meanwhilethetorsoandlegsarefoldedup together,keepingeachstraight.theattainedpositionisoneofverydelicatebalance onthetailbone,withthebodyinasimilarpositiontopaschimottanasanabutwith thebackmuchstraighter.thisisheldfora32secondcount,feelingenergymove andjumpfromthetailboneagain,youmightevenfeelakickthere.thenyoureturn totheboatwhiletakinginabreath,thenletitoutandreturntoalyingdown position;relaxtotallyandbreathedeeply. Sahajroli%1;Thisisdonefromshirshasana,theheadstand,bybringingthefeet togetherheeltoheelnearthegroinwiththekneesbentandouttothesides.now thebreathisblastedout,mula-bandhaanduddiyana-bandhaareappliedwhile pushingthefeettogetherwithasmuchpressureaspossible.after32secondsthe legsareraisedwiththeinibreathuptotheheadstandagain.feeltheenergymoving upthespinefromthekandha,tailbone,whileyouhavethebreathout. Sakajroli%2:Fromtheheadstandinthelastpose,onelegisbentandtwistedaround theotherleginalooseposition.withadeepinhalationlegsarepushedupskyward; mula-bandhaisappliedandthebreathisheldinfora16count,whilefeelingan energyflowfromthetailboneuptowardsoneoftheadrenalglands.thenrelease thebreathandthelegposition,changeyourfeetaroundandrepeattheprocedure ontheotherside.afterwardsthesimpleheadstandisreturnedtoandthencome backdowntotheground. Amoroli%1:Sittinginthepostureofshakta-chelana,amahatyoga-pranayamais taken,followedbytheapplicationofthebandhatrayamandthebreathisheldinfor 64seconds.Thenthebreathisblastedoutquickly,locksreIapplied,andheldoutfor aperiodof32seconds.handsareingnani-mudraandplacedpalmsdownonthe knees.stayfocusedonfeelinghowtheenergymovesduringthisprocedurewiththe locksandthebreathingimpulse. Amoroli%2:isdoneimmediatelyfollowingtheaboveshunyaka,bytakinginoneslow deepbreathandblastingitoutagainintheusualfashion.thenwithmulaand jalandhara-bandhasapplied,theuddiyanaisappliedandreleased55timesina processcallednauli-kriya.theabdomenrollsinandoutinawavelikemotion;seeif thisputsyouintouchwithsomeoftheinternalenergyflows. Theentireroutineshouldbedonewithinatenminutetimeperiod,andfollowedby ashortrelaxation.eachpartofthisseriesneedstobeperfectedslowlyoveraperiod ofhowevermanyweeksittakessothatthereisnounduestrain.beforedoingthese

292 mudras,thebodyshouldbewarmedupwithagoodyogapractice;theyshouldalso bedoneearlymorningbeforeeatinganything. SYNOPSISofSAHASRARACHAKRA ELEMENT:Awareness YOGA:Mantra GENDER:Masculine NAME:Sahasrara MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:Center YANTRA,SYMBOL:ThousandIpetaledlotus ENERGY,COLOR:White(Gold) SENSE,PERCEPTION:All ACTION:Musicalexpression NERVE,PLEXUS:Wholenervoussystem PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Pineal ORGANS:Body PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, Reflective Refined Meditative Magnanimous Calm Studious NEGATIVE:, Turbulentmind Overlysensitive Introverted Envious

293 Eccentric Offensivebehaviour Chapter8 NARAYANANA,CHAKRA, The-breath-of-Vishnu- Theseventh,eighthandninthchakrasoperateasatrinity,ofwhichoneisthesource ofuniversalenergy(9),anotheristhedestinyordestination(8),andthethirdisthe flowbetweenthesetwo(7),and,asweseeit,themanifestationofthatenergy.

294 Themanifestationbroughtaboutbythetrinityformswhatweperceiveasthe materialworld.ourphysicalrealityisreallyonlyasmallfractionofalltheenergy flowingthroughouttheuniverse,justasvisiblelightisonlyasmallfractionofthe electromagneticspectrum.althoughourlittleplanetisonlyafractionofreality,this materialworldistheoneinwhichwehavebodies,theoneweaccumulate possessionsin,andtheonewetrytoholdontosodearly.itiskindoflike possessivelyholdingontothedoorknob,wheninrealitythewholemansionisyours. Theuniverseattheelectromagneticlevelisanoceanofvibrantenergyandweare thefishswimminginthesea.livinginthelowerchakras,oursightisverylimitedto ashortfieldofvision;itislikeasmallfishthatcanonlyseeitsimmediate environmentandhasnoconceptofhowvasttheoceanmaybe.atlevel7weare morelikeeagleswhoflyhighupabovetheoceanandseeahorizonthatseemsto havenoend.beamsofenergycominginatallanglesfromeverypartoftheuniverse intersectatavarietyofangles,weavingthefabricofanillusionaryreality acosmic dreamworldthatweallshareandtaketobesubstantialandsolid. TheeighthchakraiscalledNARAYANANA,andisspokenofintheHindutradition asthecenterofthebreathoflordvishnu.vishnuisadeityrepresentingthe preservingenergyoftheuniverse,thatwhichmaintainslifeintismanifestedforms. Thebreathofthatenergyhastodowiththeempowermentoftheforceswhich maintainlifeasweknowithereonearth.narayananaislocatedjustoutsideofthe leftearandisequatedtotheoutibreath,thebreaththatiscomingfromthedivine andintous.thereceivingcenterforthisenergyinthebodyisthecerebellum.itis thesectionofourbrainthatisautomicandperformsmostoftherespondingata subconsciouslevel.whenthelungsarefullforinstance,ittriggersareleaseof muscularexpansiontolettheairout.theseresponsesareinvoluntary,partofour instinctiveprograming,andkeepthemajorityofourbodyfunctionsregulatedand flowingincoioperationandharmony.ournaturalbodyfunctionsaretakencareof forus,agiftfromthedivine.inthethirdchakraenergythereisasimilarfunctionin ourprogrammedbehaviorspatterns,butthesehaveallbelearned.nothingistobe learnedatleveleight.theneededinformationisallknownbytheuniverseand simplyprogrammedintous.thischakraisthedivineelement,whichseparates cosmiclifeintoindividualegolifeiforms,sothattheuniversemayexperienceitself onepieceatatime. Attheuniversallevelofthischakraforcewefindtheplanetarysystems,themost solidaspectsoftheelectromagneticoceanthatarereceivingtheenergyand condensingitintolifeonearth.justaswereceivelifefromthesun,anditgiveslife, light,warmthandgrowthtoall living things,sothisreceivingqualityisinherently apartofthe8 th chakra.beingthepotattheendoftherainbow,whereallthose beautifulcolorsmergeandbecomeone,thosewhoareblessedwiththisenergy usuallyfindthemselvesinfortunatecircumstances. Asdirectrecipientsofthiscosmicenergy,numbereightindividualsoftenhavea mysticalsensethateverythingwillbeok.needswillbefulfilled,andbeyondthat, unexpectedgiftswillfallintheirlap.interestsinlifeoftengobeyondthemundane

295 tothemagicalsideofthoseenergiesthatarefallinguponus,intangiblethoughthese maybe.alsoduetothegoodfortuneinvolvedhere,thereisoftenagoodsenseof businessandprojectorganization,aswellasgoodluckwithopportunities. LAYA,YOGA, ThetypeofpracticemostsuitedtonumbereightindividualsinLayaYogabecauseit worksdirectlywiththeforceoftheeighthchakra.asapracticethatrequires purificationofthenervoussystemandgoodconcentration,itisconsideredtobean advancedformofyoga.consciousnessandmindareusedtodirecttheenergyflows throughpranayamakosha,creatinganupwards,awakeningeffectonourlatentor dormantforces,sometimesreferredtoaskundalini.becauseofthisitissometimes referredtoaskundalini%yoga.alos,becauseitwordswiththeunionofthepositive (male)andnegative(female)energycurrents,unitingthemtoformthemorepotent forceofkunaalini,thesepracticesarecalledtantra%yoga.theenergyinour nervoussystemisaffectedbythesepractices,andthiscanhavestrangeand unpredictableeffectsonourphysical,emotionalandmentalstatesofbeing. Consequently,theLayaKriyasaretaughtcarefullytothosewhohavegonethrough thenecessarydetoxificationofbody,purificationofemotionsandclearingofmind. ThestimulatingbijaforthiscenterisMung,whilethemantraisnamnarayanaya. PSYCHOLOGICALCHARACTERISTICS: Whentheenergyisstrongandflowing: 1. Qualitiesofjusticeandintegrity. 2. Kindandgenerous. 3. Courageousandcanoftenbearisktaker. 4. Generallyfortunateandeasilyfindsabundance. 5. Intheflowoftheuniverse,luckyandseemstohavegoodkarma. 6. EasyIgoingpersonalityandnottooworriedabouttomorrow. 7. Interestedinmysticarts,spirituality,cosmicgeometryandastrology. 8. Goodnetworker,withorganizationalskillsandgoodsenseofbusinessand commerce. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: 1. Maybedishonestordeceitfulinbusiness. 2. Cousebemanipulativeandperhapsquitecunning. 3. Secretive,canbecomecruelorwicked. 4. Materialistic,yetnotverygroundedinthematerialworld. 5. Mayeasilybecomeextremeandoppressiveinspiritualpursuits.

296 Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: 1. Mightbetoomuchinthematerialworld,withlittleinterestinspirituality. 2. Disorganizedandspacedout. 3. MaybeantiIsocialand/oralittleeccentric. 4. Possiblyfearful. 5. Seemstohavebadluckandbeunfortunateingeneral. 6. Greedy. 7. Difficultybeingstudiousorintellectual. SYNOPSISofNARAYANANACHAKRA ELEMENT:Time,Past YOGA:Laya,TantraorKundalini GENDER:Feminine MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:UpperLeft ENERGY,COLOR:DarkBlue

297 YANTRA,SYMBOL:, SOUND:Mung SENSE,PERCEPTION:Mystical ACTION:OutIbreath NERVE,PLEXUS:Cerebellum,BrainStem PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLANDS:Gonads ORGANS:SexOrgans PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, Just Integrity Merciful Charitable Courageous Lenient NEGATIVE:, Unjust Insidious(underhanded) Ruthless Virulent Canny Miserly BRAHMANANDAisthenameoftheninthchakra.Thischakraisthesourceofall energy.inthemanifestuniverseitisthesourceofthestarsandgalaxiesthat

298 emanatethatenergy.thisvortexislocatedoutandupfromtherightsideofyour headandtendstodrawyourconsciousnessoutofyourbody.thisenergeticpullis liketheradiantaspectofthestarsbeamingoutenergyinalldirections.theninth chakraisapowerfulemanatingforce,onethatinstigatesaction.itisrelatedtothe inibreath,thelifegivingpower,andisreceivedinthecerebrum.fromthere,itflows tothebreathingcenter(medullaoblongata),apartofthebrainthatgivesthe originalimpulsetobeginthings,fromthebreathtomanyofthecreativeendeavors thatweinitiate. Inuniversalenergiestheninthchakraistheoriginoftheelectromagneticocean, madeupofallthosebillionsofstarsthatareconstantlyradiatingtheirenergies outwardinalldirections.thisenergyhasinspiringcharacteristics,oftenmaking peopledominantwiththisenergythosewhoshinethelightforotherstoclearlysee themoreuniversalsideofthings.expandingone shorizon,itcanbeasvastasthe universeitself. Inthosefarreachingplacesofouterspacewhereweseethestars,andwheredwells thatcontinuumofelectromagneticenergy,arevastgalaxiesmadeupofbillionsof stars.oneoftheinterestingobservationsmadebyastronomersisthatthefurthest galaxies,whichlooklikestarstooureyes,whenviewedwithourmostpowerful telescopes,areseentoberecedingawayfromusathalfthespeedoflight.theyare alreadybillionsoflightyearsaway,andmovingfurtherawayataspeedof93,000 mileseachsecond.wherearetheygoing?andjusthowvastisthis space?it spreadssofaroutineverydirectionthatwecannotfathomitwithourfinitehuman minds.yet,selfiperpetuatingenergyfillsthisentireinfinitespace,makingitan infiniteamountofpower. Thesevastconceptsintuitivelyinfiltrateconsciousnessof#9people,creatinga feelingthatmakesthemstandinaweatthewonderofitall.thebeautifuland benevolentgiftofthismindiblowingrealityisagreatmystery.theoneinessofitall createsablissfulfeelingthattheyareconnected,andallpartofthegreaterreality. Theycanfeelitsdivineessence,andbecauseofthisqualitytheytendtofindan applyspiritualpracticesthatkeepthemintouchwiththedivinequalityofexistence. BHAKTI,YOGA, Thoughitmayhavemanyformsexpressedasvariousreligions,theessenceof BhaktiYogaintheScienceofYogaismaintainingaconnectiontotheOne,the Divine,orGod.Fortheyogithisformofyogacanwellbecomeastudyofastronomy andastrology.insuchstudiesonelearnstounderstandthesecosmicenergieswhich areflowinginfromallanglesoftheuniverseatalltimes.theconceptofoneinfinite andeternalelectromagneticoceanbecomesdeeperthanaconceptaswebeginto feelitflowinginandthroughus,creatingafeelingofecstasyandbliss.throughthe

299 experienceweperceivethedivinenatureoftheuniverse,realizingthatthemindof theuniverseismuchgreaterthantheindividualhumanmind,thattheawarenessof theuniverseismuchvasterthanourown. ThestimulatingbijaforthiscenterisDung,whilethemantraisnambhagava dayvasadayvaya. PSYCHOLOGICALCHARACTERISTICS: Whentheenergyisstrongandbalanced: Spiritual,idealisticandhumanitarian,havinganintuitiveknowledgethatitisallone universe. Hasgenerousgivingnature,intheflowofuniversallove;outgoingpersonality. Inspirational,opentotheflowofincomingideas. Creative,dramaticandresourceful. Contemplative,reflectiveandindependent. Organized,withgoodcreativemanagementskills,solutionoriented. Whentheenergyistoostrongandoutofbalance: Probablyasextremenature,i.e.bouncingfromspiritualtomaterial. Tendencytoindulgeinalcohol,ornarcotics. Maybetooidealistic,eccentric. Ungrounded,notconnectedtothebody,cloudInineconsciousness. Maybescatteredandunfocused,toomanyinspirations. Mightbeoverlygiving,tothepointoflosingout. Noboundaries. Whentheenergyisweakordepleted: Maybelackinginspiritualvalues. Moreattachedtopersonaldesiresthenhumanitarian. Possiblyintroverted,antiIsocialandselfIpitying;maybeevenfearful. Maynothaveastrongsenseofpersonalidentity. Maybeveryimpersonalandlackinginconsiderationforothers. LackingofInspirationorcreativity,perhapsdisplayingtunnelvision. Caneasilybecometemperamentalandpretentious. SYNOPSISofBRAHMANANDACHAKRA

300 ELEMENT:Space,Future YOGA:Bhakti GENDER:Masculine Name:Brahmananda YANTRA,SYMBOL:, MEDITATIVE,DIRECTION:UpperRight ENERGY,COLOR:Purple SOUND:Dung SENSE,PERCEPTION:DivineBliss ACTION:InIbreath NERVE,PLEXI:Cerebrum/Centralnervoussystem PHYSIOLOGICAL,CONNECTIONS:, GLAND:Thyroid ORGANS:NervousSystem OTHER:Bones PSYCHOLOGICAL,CHARACTERSTICS:, POSITIVE:,,,,, UniversalLove Idealistic Spiritual Intuitive Sincere Understanding