Kundalinee
Power--Powerful Enigmatic Force in the Human Body
(Compilation
for a discourse by N.R. Srinivasan, Nashville, TN, USA, May 2015)
Bhagavdgeetaa in Chapter six, Slokas 10-15 explains to
spiritual seekers step by step procedure to go into deep meditation. Essentially
this prepares one for Raja Yoga. Raja
Yoga says spiritual power in man usually lies in a dormant state. Like a coiled-up snake in a state of
hibernation, this power usually remains asleep near the lower extremity of a
person’s backbone. The upward coiled snakes represent the logo of the American Medical Association (AMA) in which almost all the physicians are the members. Chakra worship
and Kundalinee power are part of Tantra
form of worship in Hinduism. Most Tantra literature is still kept secret and
the real meaning of much that is known is still enigma. Unhappily the Tantras
also deal with black magic and sexy-yogic Tantrism between male and female
devotees. Tantric devotees also follow the five “Ms”. They are Madhya (wine), Mamas (meat), Matsya
(Fish), Mudra (parched rice) and Maithuna (sexual intercourse). All these
erotic rituals are against the basic Hinduism. But Tantrism exists today
because of the tolerant philosophy of Hinduism. In any other religion thinking
process of like Tantrism would have been suppressed by violent force. Evidence
shows that Tantrism existed during Vedic age. Its influence is seen in
Sankara’s Soundarya Lahari. Mantras are the gift of the Tantras to Hinduism and
other religions. Yantras, the geometrical figures and sketches associated with
Mantras are also equally important gifts of Tantrism to Humanity. We can see
the great influence of Tantrism in Yoga practices and contributions to Rajayoga described in Bhagavad Gita.
The principal of Siva, as the first evolute is differentiated from the ultimate principle of pure and transcendental consciousness. The principle of Sakti on the other hand evolving directly from the principle of Siva is the cosmic energy. The principle of Siva and Sakti occur in perfect harmony in the ultimate state of cosmic dissolution (Samhaara or Pralaya or simply Laya). During creation (Srishthi) these two principles tend to become maximized. During preservation (Stithi) the dichotomy is steadily maintained. The twin functions of this polarity are Illumination (prakaasa) and Deliberation (Vimarsa).
Principally Deliberation signifies dichotomization in the act of self-awareness (ahamtaa), and object-awareness (idamtaa). Deliberation is taken to represent the central channel in the human constitution known as Sushumnaa. The concept of channel (nadee) in the gross and subtle body is not only visualized in Tantra and Yoga but also in the Vedic thought. We have already seen how Upanishads mention about 101 channels that originate in and ramify form, the very core of human existence, namely the spiritual heart (hridaya) as the seat of the soul. They are extremely subtle as thin as single hair being a split a thousand-fold. Each of these naadee carries and conveys the Vital Force or Praana. All of them together not only sustain life, but are also responsible for all psychological, mental and spiritual functions. One of them that incline upward is most important. It enables one to accomplish the highest objective of human existence (amritatva). Nadees are generally translated as astral tubes.
The central ascending channel Sushumnaa occurs inside the
most minute channel called Chitrini representing the lunar energy in the body enclosed
in another channel known as Vajrini, representing
the solar energy in the body which runs inside and along the back bone and is
called Meru-Danda. It represents the principle of Agni (fire element) and
constitute three gunas—Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. This originates in the basal
center, Moolaadhaara also called Kandayoni or Adhara Kunda representing earth element in the body. It reaches up
to the subtle opening on top of the head known as Brahmarandhra which represents the seat of pure elements—Svaadhishhaana (water), Manipoora (fire), Anaahata (Air), Visuddha
(Ether) and Ajnya (mind). Thus the Sushumnaa is the most fundamental, chord
in human existence, comprehending three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas and
Tamas), three regions of Sun, Moon and Fire, and five elements (earth,
water, air, fire and ether) and also
provides the possibility of pushing on to the highest
goal. It symbolizes Prakriti
(primordial nature) as particularized in human body of microcosm.
To the left side of
Sushumnaa is located Idaa
Channel, originating from the same source as Sushumnaa but ends in left nostril.
To Sushumnaa’s right and also outside Meru-danda is located another channel
known as Pingalaa originating as Ida
but ends in right nostril. While Sushumnaa represents the Fire Principle; Idaa
which is masculine and white in color represents Lunar Principle and Pingalaa
which is feminine and red in color is the Solar Principle.
The three channels are united at their origin in the base
center and are called Yukta—Triveni
or three streams combined. They are presumed to be organismic microcosmic
representatives of the River Ganga (idaa), the River Yamunaa
(Pingalaa) and the invisible River Saraswathi (Susshumnaa) celebrated in
Prayaag as Triveni Sangamam in its Macrocosmic representation.
Prasnopanishad gives a Vedantic picture of
Panchapraanas. The five praanaas are:
Praana (secondary) Apaana, Vyaana, Udaana and Samaana. Their respective functions
are: Breathing and activating the eyes and the ears (praana); excretion
(Apaana); general diffusing of the air inside the body (Vyaana); taking the
Jeevaatman out of the body at the time of death (Udaana); equitable
distribution of the essence of food all over the body (Samaana). Please also go
through my detailed description of these five vital forces from the Ayurvedic
point of view and also my discourse on Life’s Vital Forces.
Praana (primary) is born or manifested from the Aaatma
(Paramaatma or Supreme Being). Praana comes into the body effortlessly like a
shadow following an individual, when the Jeevaatman (the individual Self)
enters it. Praana appoints five
functional Praanaas (its own different
functional aspects or parts) just like a king appoints his ministers and
apportions their portfolios. Praana comes and gets itself housed as an active
center within our own body. It has come to express itself in the body owing to
willing or wishing or desiring, which are all activities of the mind.
Prasnopanishad says this Praana resides
in the Spiritual heart. Here the heart should not be confused with the physical
organ thudding in our bosom on the left side of the chest. Pure Consciousness
reflected in the mind is the ego-center and that ego-center is in this heart.
Upanishad further states that from this heart 101 nerves or Naadees branch off
which I have often referred earlier in
my discourses. These nerves are not to be confused with the nerves of doctor’s
Physiology conception. These are subtler than the finest capillaries in the
circulatory systems in the body and they are therefore often designated as
Astral Tubes. From the mind 101
different astral tubes emerge out and each one of these primary nerves (Mukhya)
divides into 100 subdivisions as Saakha Naadees forming themselves ten thousand and one
hundred (10100) secondary Naadees. Now each one of these secondary Naadees
again multiplies into seventy-two thousand branches, thus together forming a
system of seventy-two crores, seventy two lakhs, ten thousand two hundred and
one in all (72,72,10,201)
The idea of any factor, which itself is as subtle as thought, divided so minutely as to form over seventy-two crores, is a conception which has not yet been equaled even in these days of electron microscope. Today, magnifying a thing one or one and a half lakhs of times is considered to be a stupendous achievement of the brave new world.
In this network of astral tubes we are told the Vyaana Sakti
moves like a permanent cyclone round the structure of an individual. Among many
other functions of the Vyaana is to keep the circulation of blood always going
in the minutest capillary where red and the white corpuscles will have to be on
the move all the time.
Yoga as promoted by Vedanta talks about three types of
space.
The space in which we
and the stars and planets are posited is called Mahaakaasa. Our dream world or the objects of
our imagination exist in Chittaakaasa or in mental plane. All genuine spiritual experiences
take place in Chidaakaasa or “Knowledge space”. A person gets access to Chidaakaasa
only when his Kundalinee power has awakened and entered into the Sushumnaa
channel. When the Kundalinee power reaches the
Sahasraara through the Sushumna
channel the spiritual aspirant becomes spiritually illumined. He then reaches
the goal of Yoga.
The human constitution being composed of several channels of
Vital forces called naadee chakras. Here Chakra means vortex or plexus of
forces, physical as well as psychic. They connect the subtle body with the
physical body. Yoga manual mentions about 30 of them. Of these channels shat
chakra (six channels) as already mentioned are important and are known by their
collective name Brahma Chakras. These are:
1) Moolaadhara or the foundational Chakra in the form of triangular space in the midmost portion of the body representing the earth element. It is the source for physical desires.
2) Svaadhishthaana—it is situated below the navel and in the region around the root of the penis (medhra). It represents water element.
3) Manipoora—it is situated in the navel region. It represents fire element. Buddhists call them as Nirmaana Chakra.
4) Anaahata—it is situated in the region of the heart. It represents the element of Air. It is called Dharma Chakra by Buddhists.
5) Visuddha—it is situated behind the throat. It is called Sambhoga Chakra by Buddhists.
6) Ajnya –this is situated between the eye-brows. It represents the Sun and the Moon. It is called Parama-kula in Tantra. (You may recall here Siva’s one eye is moon and cool and the other eye is Sun and is hot.)
Sushumna, the central channel springs up at the foundational center Moolaadhara, runs along the backbone called Merudanda, and finally reaches the aperture leading to the thousand petal lotus. All the above chakras are located along its course. These Chakras are so many open spaces within the organismic structure, for the descent of pure Consciousness into the system through the Brahmarandra (the fissure on the crown of the head), and for the ascent of the Kundalinee through the Brahmarandra, the gateway at the base of the Sushumnaa where the Chitrini channel opens up. The ascent of the Kundalinee which is the purpose of many yogic and tantric practices involves breaking through Granthis (knots) named after three principal divinities.--Brahma at the base Moolaadhara, Vishnu at the heart Anaahata, and Rudra between the eye brows. Then, the Kundalinee power passes out of Brahmarandra to reach the thousand petal lotus.
In microcosmic body,
Aakaasa or the principle of open
space represent pure consciousness.
Principle of energy (Kundalinee Power) represents Energy. Pure Consciousness is
the male Principle or Siva. Energy is
the female principle or Sakti. As all
other entities in the Universe human body is manifestation of Siva Principle
and the process involving Icchaa (intention), Jnana (cognition) and Kriya
(behaviours) are manifestation of the Sakti Principle.
Pranayama for awakening Kundalinee
In Yoga Practice the following technique is prescribed to awaken
the Kundalini Power which remains in a dormant coiled state: When you practice
Pranayama, concentrate on the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spinal
column, which is triangular in form and which is the seat of the Kundalinee Sakti.
Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril
till you count 3 OMs slowly. Imagine that you are drawing the Praana with the
atmospheric air. Then close the left nostril with your little and ring fingers
of the right hand. Then retain the breath for 12 OMs. Send the current down the
spinal column straight into the triangular lotus, the Muladhara Chakra. Imagine
that the nerve-current is striking against the lotus and awakening the Kundalinee.
Then slowly exhale through the right nostril counting 6 OMs. Repeat the process
from the right nostril as stated above, using the same units, and having the
same imagination and feeling. This Pranayama will awaken the Kundalinee
quickly. Do it 3 times in the morning and 3 times in the evening. Increase the
number. Various Mantras and their
benefits are described in the book “japa Yoga” and time gradually and
cautiously according to your strength and capacity. In this Pranayama,
concentration on the Moolaadhaara Chakra is the important thing. Kundalinee
will be awakened quickly if the degree of concentration is intense and if the
pranayama is practiced regularly.
Our body consists of five elements—Earth, Water, Fire Air and
Space. Each of these elements has a predominant part to play in a specific part
of the body. The Vital force or Wind that springs forth from the Moolaadhara
center is the foundation for both of the individual and of the universe
organism. Our manner of breathing is influenced by the five elements of the
body. In turn the five elements are influenced by the way we breathe. Normally
an individual breathes 360 times in a unit of time called Naadikaa (around 24
minutes). The duration of the day consists of 60 such naadikas. Therefore in a day an individual breathes
360x24=21600 times. The collection of all breaths within the body is deified as
mother-goddess. This is called Naadeechakra. This is the distribution of the
wind within the body. The distribution of the breaths within the seven body
centers are as follows:
1)
Moolaadhaara 600
breaths 40 minutes
2)
Svaadhishthaana 600 breaths 6 hours, 40 minutes
3)
Manipoora 600 breaths 6 hours, 40 minutes
4)
Anaahata 600
breaths 6
hours, 40 minutes
5)
Visuddha 1000
breaths 1hr., 6
min., 40 sec.
6)
Ajnyaa 1000
breaths 1hr.,
6min., 40 sec.
7)
Sahsraara 1000
breaths 1hr., 6
min., 40 sec.
(Total 21600 breaths in 24 hours)
The navel is the central point where building and
body-breaking processes take place. The
two channels idaa and Pingla meet at the Moolaadhara close to the Kundaliniee, which is the source of
the bodily energy, Vaayu, the life force Bindu and the expressive tendency
Naada in the Tantric concept. The channel having Ida to the left and Pingala to
the right is called Sushumnaa corresponding to the principle of fire. This is the ladder through which Kundalini
ascends to thousand petal lotus on to Sahasraara, the thousand petals on the
crown of the head. In Tantra concept Mother Goddess is having her abode where
the Kunadalini is imagined as a serpent with three coils and a half, asleep at
the mouth of the Sushumnaa. Around this central channel is the network of 72000
astral tubes (Naadees) described earlier. Of them ten are most important
because they carry the vital currents and thus sustain the Jeeva (soul-hood)—the
efficient organization of the bodily functions, mental modalities and the
sensory functions.
These are the Panchapraanas on which I have spoken a lot in the past in many discourses including in my discourse on Ayurveda and an exclusive discourse on the subject. In the second Pentad are included minor vital currents: 1) Naaga—causes belching; 2) Koorma— causes movement of eye lids; 3) Krikara—responsible for fatigue and Yawning; 4) Devadatta—causes fatigue and yawning and 5) Dhananjaya—causes various sounds in the bodily functions and which does not leave the body even at death.
The life principle that operates in the individual is in
essence the life principle that is responsible for all phenomenal existence.
Health as a mode of existence reflects the consonance of individual life-force
(Praana) with the cosmic life-principle Energy (Sakti) and hence harmony and happiness.
Ill health is the expression of dissonance and therefore stress. Health is an
aid in the realization of the individual’s oneness with or belongingness to the
universe. Hence Sanskrit word for Health is “Swaastya” which means, “Abiding in one’s own true condition”.
Yoga Practice as described in Bhagavad Gita and
Kaivalyopanishad calls for vertical and horizontal alignment of the body with
Padmaasana, which is the traditional posture of meditation as descried by sages
and Yoga practitioners since Vedic times. This posture helps the general
well-being of the individual and creates balance. It awakens the primal force
so that it can move upward and give relaxation. According to Pataanjali Yoga
Saastra, it is at the base of the spine from where the 72000 naadees described
above arise and connect the entire body with the primal source of energy. With
the proper alignment of neck, head, and the lower back, the Sushumna Naadee is
awakened. The proper alignment of spine prepares the individual for awakening
of the Kundalinee. Sanskrit word Kundala means coiled state which we have
dealt at length.
While meditating at Moolaadhara the root center of earth one
feels charged with primal energy and also the elemental qualities of
earth—firmness and steadiness and patience. On this chakra (disc) at this point
there is a triangle emanating white and golden light. The energy at this point
is visualized as the deep red lotus with four petals. Brahma, the Creator of
the Universe, presides over this psychic station. Daakini
who controls the skin in the body is the deity. A golden color serpent with
three and a half coils encircles, the
Sivalingam with all its tail tucked in the mouth. In meditation with the proper
alignment of the spinal cord, the primal energy is aroused from the base and is
directed to travel upward through all other stations along the Sushumnaa
naadee.
The second psychic center is
known as Swaadhishtaana Chakra. This is with six petals around a disc
and with the symbol of crescent moon in the center. Lord Vishnu, the Sustainer
presides over this psychic station. It
has also another presiding deity Raakini who controls the element of
blood. The color is deep orange and
signifies the survival of the race. The elemental quality of this chakra is water. It
is connected with the conscious and unconscious thoughts of the present and
also with the latencies of the many previous lives. We all know that some
people can remember their previous births in their sub-conscious mind. It is
the storehouse of the most primitive and instinctive behavior which is related
to the survival of the species. This station is associated with sexual urge and related to the organs of
reproduction and excretion. This chakra is located at the level of the pubic
bone or at the coccyx at a distance of about four
inches in the front part of the body from the base Moolaadhaara.
The third Chakra is called Manipura. Mani-pura means
Jewel-City. The element for this Chakra is fire and the presiding Lord Is
Rudra. The presiding deity is Lakini who
controls the flesh of the body. It is visualized as bright deep yellow lotus
with ten petals. It is at the level of the navel in the front of the body corresponding
to a center on the spine. Meditating at
this point brings the benefits of quality of fire such as purity and vitality.
The fourth Chakra of psychic station is Anaahuta whose
element is Air. Anaahuta means that which is not struck. This divides body into Northern and Southern
hemisphere. This is the root spot for all sounds Individual is remade here
spiritually, emotionally and ethically when focused on. It is the focal point of emotional and psychological
maturity. It is visualized as dark green
lotus with twelve petals by the meditator. The Lord of this center is Isha and
the deity Kaakini. It is located within the spine corresponding to the point
located behind the two breast bones. It is perceived and visualized in front of
the chest and also inside the spine along the path of Susshumnaa. This Chakra
can be noticed as Star of David shooting forth its rays all around.
The fifth chakra of the psychic station is Visudddha
constitutes the element of ether (Aakaasa). Visuddha means purification. In meditation it is perceived as a blue lotus
with sixteen petals. Ardhanareesawara presides over this Chakra as the Lord and
the deity is Saakini. It is located in the region of the throat along the route
of Sushumnaa. One experiences dripping by the falling of drops of nectar from
Sahasraara at this point. One feels exhilarated and also often intoxicated by
the nectar. Some Yogis can taste the
nectar by rolling back their tongue to the very far end of the throat and get
the nutrition from the blissful elixir.
It imparts peace and contentment. The nectar originates from Sahsraara, cascades
through Bindu and drips down from Lalana
Chakra at the point located in the upper palate, right at the base of tonsils.
The sixth Chakra of Psychic station Aajnya is the command
center which has mind as its element. It is called Jnaana Chaksu or eye of Intuition.
Intuition is not the knowledge we receive from teachers (called tuition).
Intuition is the power by which the subjective mind can perceive the result
without reasoning and without questioning as it happened to Buddha. This
psychic station is experienced and visualized as silver-Indigo lotus with two
petals. In meditation this station enables one to observe and experience almost
all the events, past, present and future
simultaneously, at the physical as well as spiritual levels of
Consciousness. Awakening at this center acquaints the meditator to realize
one’s own potential. Meditation at this eye-brow center (Bruh-madhya) awakens
the desire for moksha, liberation and salvation.
Sahasraara of thousand petals is the seat of consciousness
whose element is pure consciousness. Its color is violet white. Only a spark of the dormant energy from
Moolaadhara can open up this entire passage along the Sushumnaa. It is the
radiant dome at the crown of the head. Vedic sages used to have Sikha (growing
of long hair) at this point to protect the soft spot where the spiritual
energy is stored. This is also prescribed in Chaula (Choti) samskaara of
Hindus. They usually combed the hair upwards and rolled into a bundle. A Sivalinga
is visualized by the yogis during meditation here.
Bhagavad Gita says while sitting in the upright position
psychic current flows at various levels of Consciousness. As the primal energy
moves, impurities are washed away and the feeling of peace and tranquility
dawns. A feeling of relaxation and concentration is achieved. The mind calms
down and rests into the blissful realm of Pure Consciousness. When a person
learns to live in this transcendence of the divine Nature he attains the state
of Samaadhi, the ultimate peace and tranquility leading to Liberation.
When the Kundalinee Power reaches Sahsraara through the
Sushumnaa channel, the spiritual aspirant becomes spiritually illumined. He
reaches the goal of Yoga—he attains Asamprajnataa Samaadhi. Rajayoga literally means King of
all Yogas. But there is some hazard connected with its practice. Vivekananda,
who is a master of raja Yoga says: “There must be perfect chastity, in thought,
word and deed; without it the practice of Raja Yoga is dangerous and may lead
to insanity”. The light of the inner surface is not visible on the surface as
in the cloudy water and numerous
waves in the lake. If the lake is cleared of waves and its water from
impurities, the light at the bottom can be seen shining forth. Similarly,
Divine Self of the person will manifest itself in all its glory when the
person’s mind becomes pure and free from all disturbing thoughts. This state is
known as Asamprajnataa Sammadhi. One
who attains such a Samaadhi has
attained the highest level of saintliness.
[Please note the word Yoga used in this text only refers o
Rajayoga]
KUNDALINEE YOGA
Kundalinee Yoga also known as Laya yoga is a School of Yoga,
influenced by the Tantra and Sakta Schools of Hinduism. Kundalinee yoga derives its name through a focus on
awakening Kundalinee energy lying in a coiled
state through regular practice of meditation, praanaayaama, chanting mantra and yoga aasana. Called by practitioners
"the yoga of awareness", it aims to cultivate the creative spiritual
potential of a human to uphold values, speak truth, and focus on the compassion
and consciousness needed to serve and heal others. The Yoga-Kundalinee Upanishad is listed in the Mukrtika canon of 108 Upanishads. The Yoga- Kundalinee and the Yogatattva are closely
related texts from the school of Hatha yoga. They both draw heavily on the
Yoga Yajnyavalkya. The Yoga-Kundalinee
Upanishad itself consists of three short chapters; it begins by stating that
Chitta (consciousness) is controlled by Praana, and it's controlled by moderate food, postures
and Sakti-Chala (moving Sakti).
Chandogya Upanishad (5-10-10) says: Anyone who knows how to
meditate on five chakras (energy centers) becomes virtuous, pure and does not
become besmeared with sin like lotus leaf which does not get wet by water. This
is known as gradual emancipation of soul from the lower celestial controllers
via Devayaana path through different celestial Devas at the Chakras in the
body. The body represents both microcosm and macrocosm. The kingdom of heavens is within all of us or God is within
you. Celestial controller that govern the forces of nature also reside
in these astral centers called Chakras of the body and control the force that
work upon the body. According to Kriyaa yoga Kundalinee Sakti, the serpent
power is the Super-being. Spiritual Consciousness is not possible without
awakening of Kundalinee. When the mind
rises upward by the power of Kundalinee and reaches seventh Chakra it merges
with Brahman in the eighth plane. According to Tantric scriptures as long as Kundalinee Power lies dormant in
the lower center, one cannot get success or liberation through Japa, Meditation and Worship.
REFERENCES:
1.
Swami
Bhaskarananda, Essentials of Hinduism, Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India.
2.
Prof.
Ramachndra Rao, Srividya-Kosa, Sri Satguru publications, Delhi, India.
3.
Ed.
Viswanathan, Am I a Hindu? Rupa & Co., Delhi, India.
4.
Prabhu
Duneja, Legacy of Yoga in Bhagavad
Geeta, Govindram Hasanand, Delhi, India.
5.
Swami
Chinmayananda, Prasnopanishad, Central Chinmaya mission Trust, Mumbai, India.
6.
IndiaDivine.org,
Advanced Pranayama, Internet.
7.
Ramananda Prasad, The Bhagavad-Geetaa,
American Gita Society, Fremont, CA, USA.
APPENDIX 1\
Gita on Rajayoga
Gita on Rajayoga
Yogee yunjeeta satatam
aatmaanam rahasi sthitaha |
Ekaakee yatachittaatmaa niraaseeraparigrahah
|| 6-10 ||
Suchau dese pratishthaapya
sthiram-aasanam-aatmanah |
Naatyucchritam naatineecham
chailaajina-kusottaram || 6-11 ||
The Yogee, with his mind and body subjugated, free from
desire, destitute and living alone in solitude, should constantly concentrate
his mind. In a clean spot fixing his seat firm, neither too high nor too low, made of the
Kusa grass, deer skin and cloth one on the top of other—sitting on that, with
the activities of the mind and the sense controlled, concentrating his mind, he
should practice Yoga for the purification of the mind.
Tatraikaagram manah kritvaa
yatachitendriyakriyah |
Upavisyaasane
yunjyaad-yogamaatma-visuddhaye || 6-12 ||
Sitting there in a comfortable position and concentrating the
mind in God, controlling the thoughts activities of the senses one should
practice meditation for self-purification.
Samam kaaya-siro-greevam
dhaarayan achalam sthirah |
Samprekshya-naasikaagram
svam disaschaan-avalokayan || 6-13 ||
Prasaantaatmaa vigatabheer
brahmachaari-vrate sthitah |
Manah samyamya macchitto
yukta aaseeta matparah || 6-14 ||
Holding the trunk, head and neck erect and steady, holding firm, fixing the gaze on the tip of his nose
and not looking around, tranquil in mind, fearless, practicing continence
controlling the mind the Yogee, intent on Me, he should sit
absorbed having Me as supreme goal.
Yunjann-evam sadaatmaanam
yogee niyatamaanasah |
Saantim nirvana-paramam
matsamsthaam adhigacchati ||6- 15 ||
Thus by always practicing to keep the
mind fixed on Me, the Yogee whose mind is subdued attains peace of
Brahma-nirvaana (in final Beatitude in the form of abiding in Me) and comes to
Me.
Kaivalyopanishad
on meditation to arouse Kundalinee Power
Viviktadese cha sukhaasanasthah Suchih samgrievasirah sareerah |
Atyaasramasthah
sakalendriyaani nirudhya bhaktyaaa svagurum pranamya |
Hritpundareekam virajam
visuddham vichintya madhye visadam visokam ||
In an undisturbed place, clean and pure, resting in a
comfortable posture, with neck, head and body held erect in one line, in a
mental attitude of Sanyaasa having controlled all the senses, saluting one’s
own teacher mentally with reverence, meditate within the lotus of the heart on
Brahman, the Untainted, the Pure, the Clear and the Griefless.
APPENDIX II
Muladhara:
The Most Important Chakra
Posted by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev | Oct 29, 2015 |
IndiaDivine.Org
New-agey
types always talk of anahata, sahasrar or agna chakras. But what of the
“lowest,” the muladhara? Isn’t it important at all? Sadhguru explains why this
oft-overlooked chakra is of great consequence to a seeker.
If
you look at the human body just after conception, it is just a tiny ball of
meat. That tiny ball of meat has slowly arranged itself into what it is now. To
arrange itself in this particular way, there is a kind of software which is
known as pranamaya kosha or energy body. The energy body forms itself first and
the physical body starts manifesting over that.
If
there are any distortions in the energy body, they will also manifest in the
physical body. It is because of this that in this culture, when a woman was
pregnant, she used to go to the temple and get blessings from people – they
were trying to influence the energy body. If a pregnant woman has a very
vibrant, well-formed energy body, she will deliver a very capable human being.
Foundation Matters
The
muladhara is the foundation of the energy body. Nowadays, people think the
muladhara is the lowest chakra and not worth working upon. Anyone who thinks
the foundation is something we needn’t take care of is living in a fool’s
paradise. The foundation is the most important thing.
The
muladhara is the most important thing. When we do Yoga, we are more focused on
the muladhara than anything else because if you stabilize this, the rest is
easy to create. If the foundation of the building is loose and we try to hold
up the building, it will be a daily circus.
That
is what has happened to human life – holding themselves in some state of
balance and wellbeing every day is a circus for most human beings. But if your
muladhara is stable, life or death, you will be stable because your foundation
is good and we can fix the other things later. But if the foundation is
unstable, anxiety is natural.
Perils of Experience-hunting
If
Grace has to transmit itself, you need to have an appropriate body. If you do
not have an appropriate body and Grace descends on you big time, you will only
fuse out. Many people want big experiences but they are not willing to
transform their body to be able to conduct those experiences. So many in the
world have lost their minds or broken their bodies because they went
experience-hunting.
In
yoga, you don’t chase experience, you only prepare. That is how it was with the
Saptarishis – the first seven disciples of Adiyogi. They simply prepared and
prepared. They never asked for anything.
They
simply prepared for eighty-four years and when Adiyogi saw that they were so
prepared, he couldn’t hold back anything. He had to give it all. But today’s
world has become like this – “Sadhguru, I am here for two days, can you
enlighten me?”
The
yogic systems always focused on the muladhara. It is only in recent times that
non-practicing “yogis” have written books and say you must focus on higher
chakras. This high and low business is too entrenched in book-reading minds but
that is not how life works.
Some
years ago, I used to conduct two or three-day programs in Hata Yoga. Just doing
asanas, people would burst out laughing and crying. Most yogis just use a few
simple postures to break the limitations of who they are. That is how Hata Yoga
is. Hata Yoga means balance. Balance does not mean sanity. If you want your
life to be exuberant, you need to have some madness in you. But if you become
compulsively insane, you lost it.
When
we talk about balance, we are not talking about sanity, we are talking about
finding that perch between sanity and insanity where you can venture and
adventure. Madness is an adventure. It is a most wonderful thing as long as it
is in control. If you lose control it will become ugly.
Similarly,
sanity is a beautiful thing but if you become perfectly sane, you are as good
as dead. This ability to venture and adventure into whatever you want at any
moment will come to you if your muladhara is well-established.
The 7 Chakras and Their Significance to Your Life
There has been so much talk about peace
being the highest possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature,
peace is only the beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.
Chakras are energy centers. Although
most people have heard of seven chakras, there are actually 114 in the body.
The human body is a complex energy form; in addition to the 114 chakras, it
also has 72,000 "nadis," or energy channels, along which vital
energy, or "prana," moves. When the nadis meet at different points in
the body, they form a triangle. We call this triangle a chakra, which means
"wheel." We call it a wheel because it symbolizes growth, dynamism
and movement, so even though it is actually a triangle, we call it a chakra.
Some of these centers are very powerful, while others are not as powerful. At
different levels, these energy centers produce different qualities in a human
being.
Fundamentally, any spiritual path can
be described as a journey from the base chakra, called the
"Mooladhara," which is located at the base of the spine, to the
"Sahasrar," which located at the top of the head. This journey of
movement from the Mooladhara to Sahasrar is from one dimension to another. It
may happen in many different ways, and various yogic practices can effect this
movement.
The
essential guide to taking care of your mind and body
Mooladhara is really made up of two
terms: "Moola" means the root or source, and "adhar" means
the foundation. It is the very basic foundation of life. In the physical body,
your energies need to be in the Mooladhara chakra to some extent. Otherwise,
you cannot exist. If the Mooladhara chakra alone is dominant, food and sleep
will be the predominant factors in your life.
We can speak in terms of lower and
higher chakras, but such language is often and too easily misunderstood. It is
like comparing the foundation of a building to the roof; the roof is not
superior to the foundation. The foundation of the building is more basic to the
building than the roof, and the quality, life span, stability and security of
the building depends, to a large extent, on the foundation rather than the
roof. But in terms of language, the roof is higher, and the foundation is
lower.
The second chakra is
"Swadhisthana." If your energies move into Swadhisthana, you are a
pleasure seeker. The Swadhisthana chakra is located just above the genital
organs. When this chakra is active, you enjoy the physical world in so many
ways. If you look at a pleasure seeker, you will see that his life and his
experience of life are just a little more intense compared with a person who is
only about food and sleep.
If your energy moves into the
"Manipuraka" chakra, located just below the navel, you are a doer in
the world. You are all about action. You can do many, many things. If your
energies move into the "Anahata" chakra, you are a creative person. A
person who is creative in nature, like an artist or an actor, is someone who
lives very intensely -- more intensely, perhaps, than a businessman, who is all
action.
The Anahata literally means the
"un-struck." If you want to make any sound, you have to strike two
objects together. The un-struck sound is called "Anahata." Anahata is
located in the heart area and is like a transition between your lower chakras
and your higher chakras, between survival instincts and the instinct to
liberate yourself. The lower three chakras are mainly concerned with your
physical existence. Anahata is a combination; it is a meeting place for both
the survival and the enlightenment chakras.
The next chakra is the "Vishuddhi,"
which literally means "filter." Vishuddhi is located in the area of
your throat. If your energies move into Vishuddhi, you become a very powerful
human being, but this power is not just political or administrative. A person
can be powerful in many ways. A person can become so powerful that if he just
sits in one place, things will happen for him. He can manifest life beyond the
limitations of time and space.
If your energies move into the
"Agna" chakra, located between your eyebrows, you are intellectually
enlightened. You have attained to a new balance and peace within you. The
outside no longer disturbs you, but you are still experientially not liberated.
If your energies move into
"Sahasrar," at the crown of your head, you become ecstatic beyond all
reason. You will simply burst with ecstasy for no reason whatsoever.
Chakras have more than one dimension to
them. One dimension is their physical existence, but they also have a spiritual
dimension. This means that they can be completely transformed into a new
dimension. If you bring the right kind of awareness, the same Mooladhara that
craves food and sleep can become absolutely free from the process of food and
sleep. If one wants to go beyond food and sleep, one needs to transform the
Mooladhara to an evolved state.
To move from Mooladhara to Agna, from
the lowest of these seven chakras to the second highest, there are many
procedures, methods and processes through which one can raise his energies. But
from Agna to Sahasrar, the sixth chakra to the highest chakra, there is no
path. You can only jump there. In a way, you have to fall upward. So, the
question of going step by step to that dimension does not really arise. There
is no way.
It is for this reason that spiritual
traditions have emphasized the significance of a guru's role in one's
realization; guru literally means "dispeller of darkness." You can
only jump into an abyss -- the depth of which you do not know -- if you have an
absolutely insane heart, or if your trust in someone is so deep that you are
willing to do anything in their presence. Most people, due to a lack of either
of these two aspects, just get stuck in the Agna chakra. When this happens,
peacefulness is the highest state they will know. It is only from this
limitation that there has been so much talk about peace being the highest
possibility. But for someone seeking their ultimate nature, peace is only the
beginning; it is not the ultimate goal.