There
has to be balance between different aspects of yoga - physical,
mental and spiritual. The word “cakra” means controlling nucleus.
Everything in this universe has a controlling nucleus and each
nucleus is controlled in turn, by a superior nucleus. The controlling
nucleus of the universe is the Cosmic or Universal Mind, commonly
called God.
The
cakras or controlling nucleii of the human body are formed in two
ways. The human backbone is composed of several small bones piled one
on another, separated by discs. Through the center of these backbones
runs the spinal cord.
Inside the spinal cord there are three subtle
nerves. One central nerve descends from the brain, through the spinal
cord to the base of the spine. The second starts at the root of the
right nostril, crossing at five points in the trunk of the body,
until it reaches the base of the spine. The third nerve starts at the
root of the left nostril, crossing at the same five points, reaching
to the base of the spine. The
first five cakras are located on these crossing points within the
spinal cord.
The first cakra is located two fingers above the anus,
the second at the root of the genital organs, the third at the navel,
the fourth at the center of the chest, and the fifth at the vocal
cord. The
sixth cakra is located at the pituitary gland and controls all the
five lower cakras. The seventh and highest cakra is located at the
crown of the skull and is the controller of all the six lower cakras.
Around these controlling centers, there are glands associated.
Each
of the glands, or small factories surrounding the nerves, produces a
particular hormone which activates a special feeling or tendency
within the mind. Therefore, the
cakras are physico-psychic; that is the body influences the mind.
The
brain is the tool of the operator-mind. The three nerves mentioned
earlier are the extensions of the brain. When a particular thought,
memory or idea arises in the mind, the glands respond accordingly,
certain hormone is released into the blood activating the particular
emotion.
This
network of seven cakras, with related glands, hormones and nerves,
acts like a transmitter and receiver. Everything in the universe is
sending and receiving peculiar energies in different wave patterns
called vibrations. The cakras, as a whole, act as an antenna,
receiving and sending these various vibrations. These vibrations
stimulate the nerves which activate the chemicals of a particular
gland, causing the mind to experience an emotion or urge as a result.
These
various vibrations can be categorized into three qualities: sentient,
mutative and static. When the positive aspect of energy dominates the
negative; we call it sentient. When the negative aspect of energy
dominates the positive, we call it static. There are times, however,
when neither positive nor negative dominates, but rather each is
struggling to dominate. This dynamic situation is called mutative.
Each
of the cakras is being activated by external and internal energies.
If the received vibration activates the two lowest cakras, the
stimulus is negative or static to the mind. If cakras, located at the
heart, vocal cord or at pituitary gland, are activated, the vibration
is positive or sentient. When the navel cakra (third) is stimulated,
we call it mutative. Our cakras are being stimulated by these
external and internal vibrations day and night, whether we are aware
of it or not.
When
a gland is stimulated too much, it becomes overactive. Special
hormones become dominant in activated glands, and dormant in
unstimulated ones. Some glands are stimulated very seldom. For
example, the pineal gland has become often calcified, which means it
has not been active at all.
The
combinations of these dominant and dormant glands makes up our
character, our personality. When the negative glands of our body
dominate, our behaviour commonly is static. When the positive glands
are dominant, then our behaviour is sentient.
By
understanding the function of glands and cakras, we can apply the
techniques of yoga to progressively control and direct the energies
of our cakras for deeper mental and spiritual achievement - for the
benefit of all.
Yoga
postures called asanas, exercise and massage the glands to reduce
overactive hormones and to activate the dormant hormones. Shyness,
depression and fear can be overcome by performing yoga postures
prescribed by a qualified teacher. Asanas can stimulate compassion,
hope, rationality and determination. This positivity helps individual
to move towards the Supreme Goal of life.
Also
if we think courageous, compassionate and benevolent thoughts, the
hormones of the glands stimulate these emotions. However, if we
entertain fear, hatred, jealousy and doubt, then the glands that
control those emotions will grow stronger.
We
develop the cakras also by controlling the food we eat. The body
chemically refines food for various uses. Foods containing
chlorophyll are especially important in the production of lymph, and
hormones. Lymph is the food of the nervous system, especially the
brain.
There
are three categories of food: sentient (positive), mutative (neutral)
and static (negative). Positive food activates sentient glands and
hormones, and negative food stimulates static behaviour. Food
stimulates glands, glands activate emotions, emotions build
personality. Therefore, we should be very careful about the kind of
food we eat.
Static
food will undo all the efforts we made in practising yoga postures to
control and activate the glands. Static food will not produce lymph
needed for the hormones that develop the higher levels of mind.
The
collective interaction between these psychic urges forms our unique
personality. It is very important to control thought. Thousands of
years ago yogi’s declared, “As you think, so you become”.
Controlled thinking lead to positive, peaceful and joyful life.
People with similar thoughts like to be with each other.
It
is the mind which is our best friend or our greatest enemy. We should
choose our thoughts and company carefully. Our thoughts should
attract only those living beings in the universe which will help us
in our effort to reach our Supreme Goal. We should take a direct and
sincere path under the guidance of teacher.
Meditation practices bring elevating changes in
the nervous system and glandular secretions. With this process, a
person goes beyond the periphery of the common human psychology.
Without spiritual practice there cannot be such a change. If both
sides of the pituitary plexus are fully developed, one becomes
self-knowing, and even all knowing.
If one does not attain salvation in this life, in the next life one will become a spiritual aspirant. Those who have already attained salvation may or may not remember their past lives according to their own sweet will.
Here
what I feel is our stand in different matters
Homosexuality.
one should not encourage
homosexuality. Marriage is meant to unite female and male, even if we
just think of reproductive purposes. On the other hand we should not
be negative and exploitative towards any type of genders.
Transgender
issue. The upper portion of
female skull is smaller than that of male. If a male becomes a female
by biological processes, he will have no difficulty. But if a female
becomes a male, she will have difficulties because the cranium and
brain is smaller, she may suffer from headaches. Those who are
eunuchs by birth have still smaller craniums, and love for children
is lacking. (ETs channeler Barbara seem to get that increasing
transgender issue is due to chemicals, which bring past life memories
of being a different gender!!!)
Birth
control. One may use methods of
birth control that doesn’t cause bodily damage. Sterilization is
not recommended due to following hormonal imbalance.
Sexual
behaviour. Pre marriage sexual
activity is not recommended, the result is often lack of sense of
responsibility, single motherhood, venereal diseases etc. For married
couple sex four times a month is sufficient. Excessive sexuality uses
the lymph that is needed for
intellectual and spiritual elevation. Greed for sex and money can
become a disease itself.
Sources,
Shrii Shrii Anandamurti,
Biopsychology 1987 and leacture
by Ac Pranakrishnananda
Learn
meditation. The most important practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Msi5oaVbPU
Meditation
is all you need, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdOsMUoVI6Q
Didi Annapurna, if you post this link it here, thanks!
