Chakras are vortices of ethereal matter in the human energy field into which astral forces rush. The astral forces moving through these whirling disks convey a special logoidal influence or aspect of the divine spirit through the etheric body into the physical body. We can think of each chakra as a gateway to some kind of higher consciousness.
Chakras are activated by raising the Kundalini through the central column of the body. According to Hindu myth Kundalini– the goddess of serpent fire – descends into man through the umbilical cord at the navel, but when the umbilical cord is cut, this serpentine force coils into the sacrum plexus, where it rests on the triangular bone at the end of the sacrum . Here Kundalini remains asleep.
When Kundalini resides in the base chakra, she rests. In this form she is the inherent potential of matter, the original feminine force of creation and the evolutionary force in human consciousness. In most people it remains dormant, sleeping peacefully in its coiled abode at the base of the spine.
When she awakens, this Goddess unfolds from her coils and climbs upward, chakra by chakra, reaching to the Crown Chakra at the top of the head. Occult practices and yogic discipline awaken the Kundalini and send it through the central column of the body to the Third Eye chakra and the pineal gland.
The emerging snake
The Heart Chakra and Root Center are connected to the vagus nerve. When these centers are brought under the control of the soul through the Third Eye center, they cause the raising of the Kundalini fire. This brings the entire nervous system into a special form of rhythmic activity and responsiveness, and it is through the stimulation and control of the vagus nerve that this is achieved.
When the Third Eye, the Heart and the Root Chakra are in magnetic and dynamic connection at the base of the spine, producing a radiant effect, they influence the vagus nerve and unite and increase the fires of the body, bringing about purification and the “ opening all doors.” As the Third Eye is activated, known as Kundalini awakening, one ascends more fully into one’s spiritual nature. The passage of the Kundalini upwards towards the Crown is characterized by a gentle warmth. As it rises, the lower part of the body becomes cold, until only the head remains warm.
Deliberate raising of Kundalini occurs when all chakras of the energy body are awakened and the channels along the spine are unobstructed. Through the science and art of yoga we can learn to develop, cultivate and control our energy centers, thus paving the way for the serpent energy. Activated chakras can burn off any obstructive forces that could clog the central channels of the body. This way, the Kundalini fire can be ignited seamlessly and without friction or turbulence.
A master yogi or adept directs the Kundalini fire into the Root Chakra through an act of enlightened will under the impulse of love. As the divine soul becomes united with the human personality, this united fire is then fanned through the use of a Word of Power. Only an adept can raise this fire from the base of the spine to the center of the head with full consciousness. In this state, enlightenment, revelation, rapture, ecstasy and increased magical power are experienced.
However, arousing Kundalini can be quite unpleasant and even harmful if done accidentally or without adequate preparation. When the untrained practitioner succeeds in arousing the lowest Kundalini fire through the sushumna, it causes premature combustion and destroys the etheric web in the etheric body. The result is often schizophrenic episodes and long-term mental disorders. The sting of the fiery serpent is extremely fatal, as those who have seen the results of its premature revival well know. It will work its way into the brain and destroy the reasoning qualities of the mind. Sometimes these episodes are accompanied by violent symptoms such as tremors, out-of-body experiences, hallucinations, etc.
The cosmic ladder
As Kundalini moves through each center it produces an expansion of consciousness. Each of the five lower centers spreads one of the five forms of Prana, or the broken down energy of the sun. Each of the seven chakras also has a corresponding one tattvaor breath – a movement or condition of spiritual air. These centers are not only known in the East; The story of the Kundalini traveling through these centers is clearly explained in the Book of Revelation, where the seven seals, the seven trumpets, the seven vials and the seven voices all refer to the spinal centers and the various mysteries associated with them.
Starting at the bottom of the spine and working upward, the centers are as follows:
- First, Muladhara, or the Root Chakra. The tattvic sense of smell is associated with this chakra.
- Second, Svadhishthana, the Sacral Chakra. Are tattvic correspondent controls the sense of taste.
- ThirdManipura, the solar plexus chakra. This chakra is associated with the tattva of sight.
- Fourth, Anahata, the Heart Chakra. Are tattvic power is the sense of touch.
- Fifth, Vishuddha, the throat chakra. Are tattvic correspondent gives the feeling of hearing.
- Sixth, Ajna, the Third Eye Chakra. Are tattvic power is to give the quality of thought.
- Seventh, Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra. Are tattvic power is purely spiritual. When Kundalini reaches this point, divine consciousness is attained.
Kundalini is a very powerful and enlightening force. It’s also a very tricky and unpredictable power to play with; one that can be accompanied by intense pain and confusion and can often be interpreted by the world as madness. It opens the chakras, but like opening any cell in a prison, Kundalini can release whatever is in the chakras. These may be extensive insights or experiences, but they may also be old traumas or abuses that originally caused the chakra to close.
