Before going any further, it is necessary for one to understand some of the ancient scientific factors related to body, mind and soul.
Ancient seers and philosophers from their experience are of the opinion that Brahmam is the one and the only one without a second. Brahmam is indescribable with dazzling light and everything emanated from it. It is truth, pure light that is Sath, Chit, that is Intelligence and Ananda or pleasure. This is to be read on the macro level. There are differences at the micro level, though.
One opinion is that after realization, the personal Atma become one with Paramatma, the Brahmam. A second opinion says Atma becomes similar to Brahmam. Third opinion says Atma is quite distinct. We are not concerned with this as only very few go up and reach that level and it is no use to deliberate on this here.
Despite the difference on the matter of the Soul, everybody agrees without dissent that there is PRAKRITI, the material part from which the world has come out, the world as we see it. This Prakriti the seers say is both TRUTH AND UNTRUTH. Truth because it remains in macro level and never dissolves except becoming dissolved and remaining dormant in realized people. Untruth because it dissolves itself, melting its parts one by one during the practice of yoga in advanced stage. It suffices to understand this much without going into arguments.
Prakriti is called Mahat from which Ahankara emanated firstly and this has three attributes called Trigunas. These are Satva (good , light, fluorescence, white, etc.), Rajas (Active and Red) and Tamas (ignorance and black). From the three different attributed parts of Ego emanated the five Tanmatras, the minutest matter considered more minute than the present day concept of Atoms.
The combination of these Tanmatras in certain proportions of the three Gunas resulted in Mind, Budhi , personal Ego and Chitha. These are the four parts of the Human mind. This is called Anthakarana Chathushtaya, which literally means combination of the four parts of the internal organ, the mind. The matters that emanated from the Mahat one by one in descending order are called five elements which are Tanmatras as said above.
Akasha, which cannot be equated to the present ETHER and it is much more than that. From Akasha came Vayu, which is mainly Prana but is AIR in the physical sense. From Air came Agni or Fire again to be understood mainly as Heat and Cold. From Agni came Apas which is water, which is also to be understood as liquidity. And from Agni came Bhu which may be understood as solidity.
The entire body structure as well as the mind structure is made of a combination of these five elements, which are minute in nature in certain proportions. For descriptions to understand the body composition, one has to study Ayurveda, a separate science. Similarly for understanding the genes, one has to refer to Astrological science. Genes may not be visible for normal persons through Astrology. For this, one needs to go deep with intense devotion.
There is a saying in the Mythologies of India as follows:
THOSE DESTINED TO KNOW THE MEANING OF VEDAS (KNOWLEDGE) AUTOMATICALLY COME TO KNOW. OTHERS, DESPITE REPEATED INSTRUCTIONS WILL NEVER COME TO KNOW.
As such, there is no use delving into Vedas unless one is destined for them. Also, the meaning will be revealed in different aspects and angles to the persons according to their devotion and practice. The meaning thus revealed will be without much variation from main theme.
As per ancient science, Agni or the 'heat and cold' is responsible for the conduct of the bodily functions. Vayu, or the Air, is responsible for the conduct of the Pranic functions. Aditya, also called Indra i.e. waves of light, thunder, waves of sound etc. is responsible for the egoistic soul of the human being.
Everybody knows physiology and therefore we are not delving into this matter. Let us go further. Every science student during his days of study in the school might have seen the microscopic picture of the sperm. This is the major aspect which takes its shape into body keeping itself in the centre portion of the body as the brain and the spine. It is here the entire mechanism of life is centered around and expands out. For Yoga, this particular portion is extremely important. Also important is the Pranic energy which regulates the entire day to day operations of the body and the mind. This energy is centered slightly above the root of the spine remaining dormant till it is awakened by yogic practice. As long it is not awakened, it just conducts the normal functions. Once awakened, an enormous power can be experienced by the practitioner.
Whatever yoga we practice, awakening of this energy is the primary necessary corollary that needs to be achieved.
Pranic energy is actually part of the macro energy which remains dormant in the micro human being and conducts the day to day affairs.
There are three energy channels in every human form, although not visible to the ordinary eye. The formation may be compared to a central column and two serpents on both sides of the column. The serpents curve three times around the central column. These three are channels through which energy passes from bottom emanating from the central energy as described in previous article. This energy's noticeable form is our breath. The left channel is called Ida and the right channel is called Pingala and the centre channel is called Sushumna. The channels are also called Naadis in Sanskrit.
Sanskrit is nobody's language and is called Deva Bhasha (God's language). This language was developed by the seers of the ancient ages. This language was evolved as a combination of various vibrations and energies that are running in the human being and the cosmic universe. Each letter is related to a particular form of wave of energy. They had found that different alphabets when joined together form some other form of energy. This was the basis of Mantra Shashtra, which cannot be disputed. Irrespective of the personal language one uses, the sanskritic language runs in everybody. Therefore, the remedies based on Sanskrit mantras have definite effects and this forms a separate science in itself. This is not a topic for discussion at present.
All matter in the minutest form vibrates with expansions and compressions every now and then. Hence, the running of all forces within the body are based on these vibrations which relate to sounds. As such, the Brahmam is also called Aksharama Brahmam which has two meanings. The first meaning is something which cannot be destroyed. The second meaning is that which emanates from or is connected with syllables, viz. Aksharas.
So due to this cause of vibration, two channels as discussed above always vibrate resulting in breath. The seers found this and decided to control their breath. This would control their vibrations. These vibrations due intensive meditation create extreme heat similar to atomic fusion. This control subsequently makes the dormant energy to arise from its sleeping state to awakened state. The energy eventually rises and goes up through the central channel to the Sahasrara Chakra in the head.
Whatever yoga once practices, the above state must be obtained and only then can one say that progress has been achieved. This happens through intense devotion through concentration or intense chanting of mantra which results in concentration. This results in the awakening. Any type of concentration on a subject in meditation also makes achieves this result.
The conclusion, therefore, is that the awakening of this prime ordeal energy is the object for realization although ways and means may be different. This is actually called the Kundalini awakening. But before the Kundalini is awakened one has to keep the body and mind very pure as otherwise such awakenings can result in abnormal situations which one cannot control. To avoid such abnormal situations, it is a must that one have a Guru. One who has experienced the difficulties during practice or has been taught by a Guru alone can help the seeker to avoid such pitfalls.
This awakening normally does not happen to everybody but only to those who have been destined. Others drop out during the practice itself automatically discouraged by various shortfalls and cajoling. Only those who have the grace of god either directly or through their Guru can proceed further. Even if those who proceed, may face financial, mental, physical and various problems which could force them to discontinue their practice. But despite all the problems if one persists in his practice, disregarding these disturbances, they will definitely go towards the goal.
As said previously these two channels along with the central channel, are the most important parts to be aimed at in Yoga and meditation. The left Ida channel which is actually mental energy has to combine with right Pingala channel energy which is physical. Their combination is preliminary yoga which after much practice results in ultimate yoga of joining the Prakriti with the soul. Dissolving the Prakriti with the soul is called realization.
The cleaning of these channels is done by practicing pranayama and the mind is purified by practicing Yamas and Niyamas and Vasanas. Impressions are cleaned with Dhyana but Karmas cannot be cleaned. One has to live with them but with one's karmas albeit with lesser effect.
In the central channel there are various centers of energy which are called Chakras.
The physical appearance of life is found to be in the breath of human being. The breath normally flows in either nostril at an interval of ninety minutes. As long as the material parts of the body are in condition, they expand and shrink causing breath. This is due to the energy centralized in the body just above the root and outside of the spinal cord. This is the primordial energy which remains dormant until it is awakened by yoga. As long as it is dormant, only a small percentage of energy works in human beings branching out into two channels as Solar energy which flows in the right nostril and and Lunar energy in the left nostril. Both these energies travel through the respective channels representing physical and mental energies.
The energy flows in the central channel Sushumna four times a day normally. These times are called Sandhyas. The times corresponding to such Sandhyas are early morning when the sun rises, mid day, at the time of sunset and at midnight. Meditation is recommended preferably just before these times for this reason. This does not mean meditation cannot be done in other times. One can practice it as per one's convenience. The flow of energy in the central channel also happens when one is deep into concentration. Similarly, this energy flows in the central channel when one is having sex and at the height of the act.
The central channel called Sushumna has again one more Naadi inside which is called Chitra. Chitra engulfs another Naadi called Brahma Naadi. This Brahma Naadi is the exact Naadi on which Yogis concentrate. Concentration on Sushumna alone can lead to concentration on Brahma Naadi. We need not go into details as these articles are meant for beginners and intermediate practitioners.
In this Central Channels are the Charkras or the centers of energy. Though some of the recent experiments in Japan and Russia have confirmed the existence of such energy centers, yet they cannot be confronted or seen physically. These are visible only through the eyes of a Yogi. In advance meditation practice, for some practitioners these energy centers automatically come into vision in the center of their forehead.
In the Tantric texts six such Chakras or Shat Chakras are mentioned. These are: Mooladhara, Swadhishtana, Manipoora, Anahata, Visuddhi, Ajna and above these six there is another one called Sahasrara.
Mooladhara is at the end of the spine from where three channels originate. Here the energy starts to flow up. All the basic human natures come out of this place.
Swadhishtana is just one inch above the Mooladhara Chakra. This is the place for the Ego or the feeling of self which is hence called swadhishtana.
Manipoora is exactly behind the naval in the spinal cord. In this Chakra both the mind and Chitha or the impressions and vasanas are installed.
Anahata is in the center of the heart slightly at the right side and it is here the feelings and sensations are situated.
Visuddhi is at the place of the thyroids below the neck. There is a special Naadi just below this Chakra which is responsible for dreaming.
Ajna is in the centre of the forehead in between the two eyes. This charka has the capacity to command all the functions and hence is called Ajna. During meditation if there is no peculiar desire to concentrate on any other centre, it is better to concentrate on this centre rather than coming up concentrating from Mooladhara up.
The Sahasrara chakra is above all the other Chakras. It is at this Chakra that one gets the Nirvana or Realisation or Jnana as Yogis call it.
The Bija mantras for these chakras are Lam, Ram, Vam. Yam, Ham and AUM respectively from Mooladhara upwards. When pronouncing the Bijas, A in the middle should be pronounced as U as in BUT and not as OO as in PUT.
Each Chakra has its own Devata or God who pontificates them. Each Chakra controls various functions of the body in different parts. They are not required to be studied for the present and we will come to that part at a later stage.
Normally every day one breathes 21600 times. These breaths are divided and end in all these charkas in certain numbers. This is to appease the appetite of the gods that reside or preside over these chakras.
Source: healthandyoga.com
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