The Subtle System

Inside every human being is Subtle System of three Channels and seven Chakras. The Chakras-‘Subtle Energy Centers’ control all aspects of our lives; the instinctive biological functions in the lower Chakaras; the heart and mind in the upper centers, to the higher spiritual states in the Sahasrara and above. The Atma- ‘Spirit, Consciousness’ in the left Heart, is our essence, but to know this it is necessary to stop the outward flow of thought and turn within to witness of truth.
However it is beautifully arranged, so that when the time is right, the Kundalini- ‘Pure Spiritual Energy’ dormant in the Sacrum bone, awakens and as She rises, the attention is pulled inside. Our thoughts subside automatically, and we enter a state of clarity, known as ‘thoughtless awareness’. This is the first stage of ‘Self-realization’.
Another benefit of Sahaja Yoga is that we develop ‘Vibratory Awareness’, The ability to feel the state of our subtle body inside. The condition of Chakras can felt on the hands, as color coded on the chart of the Subtle System on the above image.
A tingling or itching in one of our fingers indicates a blockage on that Chakra- on the Left Channel if on the left hand, on the Right Channel if on the right hand, and on the Central Channel if on the both hands. A breeze on the palms means that the Divine Vibrations are flowing unimpeded.

The Three Channels (Nadis)
Ida Nadi-‘Left Channel’ – With the healthy left side, we are emotionally balanced. If we go too much into Left, we become lethargic and prone to self-pity and domination by others. Earth and Fire elements can be used to correct this.
Pingala nadi-‘Right Channel’  - A good Right Side gives us drive, creativity and an ability to get things done. If we go too much onto the Right we become dry, critical and dominating. The Water element cools and soothes the over-heating of the Right Side.
Sushumna nadi-‘Central Channel’ – When we are in the Central Channel we are in the balance and able to ascend. Regular meditation strengthens and develops the Central Channel, And we become peacefull and serene people.

The Seven Chakras
1. Mooladhara - This four petalled center is called the Mooladhara and is situated below the triangular sacrum bone. The center is placed outside the spine and on gross level corresponds to pelvic plexus, which looks after all our excreation, inclusive of sex activity. Though the kundalini has to rise through six centers, Mooladhara protects the purity and chastity of the Kundalini at the time of its awakening.
Mooladhara is for our innocence and one should know that innocence can never be destroyed. Too much thinking about and indulging in sex weakens this center. Despite all arbitrary abandonment of natural laws, innocence, the power of Mooladhara, remains, in sleeping or a sick state which can be cured and normalized through Kundalini awakening.
2. Swadishthan - This six petalled centre is called the Swadishthan and is situated in the abdomen. This centre corresponds to aortic plexus, which supplies us with the energy of creativity and abstract thoughts. This centre also provides energy to the brain by converting fat cells into brain cells.
Too much thinking and futuristic planning weakens this centre and one develops very weak attention. Liver which is seat of attention is governed by this centre. This centre also controls the functioning of pancreas, uterus and some parts of intestines.
When kundalini awakens and opens this centre in a person, that person becomes very creative, dynamic and spontaneous in all his activities.
3. Nabhi - This ten petalled centre is called Nabhi and is situated behind the navel region. This centre corresponds to Solar plexus, which gives us the power to sustain things within ourselves.
This centre governs the function of digestion and assimilation and looks after stomach, Intestines and part of liver. The biological rhythm which is regulated by spleen is also controlled by Nabhi.
This centre looks after the welfare and evolution in the mankind. When Kundalini rises and pierces this centre in a seeker, he becomes satisfied from within and becomes extremely generous.

Void - Surrounding the second and third chakra is a Void which incorporates all the aspects of existence such as personality, the effects of the planets and gravitational forces on our being, our behaviour pattern  and physical sustenance. This is an area of outside influence. It reprents that vacuum which separates our level of awareness from the truth while we are still in the unenlightened state. When the Kundalini fills this vacuum then our attention is lead out of the sea of illusion into the awareness of reality.
This is the centre of ten Primordial Masters who incarnated to lead mankind into the realm of truth and reality. When Kundalini bridges this vacuum, one becomes the Master of the Self and all innate Laws of nature are awakened in that person. Suck person becomes a very honest and able leader and has gravity in all his expressions.
4. Anahat - This twelve petalled centre is called the Anahat and is placed behind the sternum bone in the spinal cord. This centre corresponds to cardiac plexus,which produces the antibodies till the age of twelve. These antibodies are then circulated in our system which helps us to fight any kind of attack on the body or mind.When there is either physical or emotional attack on the person, these antibodies are informed through the sternum, which has a remote control of information.This centre controls breathing by regulating the functioning of heart and the lungs.
When Kundalini rises and pierces this centre, the person becomes extremely confident, secure, morally responsible and emotionally balanced personality. Such person is very benevolent and loves humanity without any self interest involved and is dear to all.
5. Vishuddhi - This sixteen petalled center is called the Vissuddhi and is placed in the neck region of the spinal cord. This centre corresponds to cervical plexus, which regulates the functioning of ears, nose, throat, neck, teeth, tongue, hands, gestures, etc. This centre is responsible for the comunnication with others, because with these organs we communicate with others.
On the physical level it controls the functions of Thyroid glands. Harsh speech, smoking and artificial behaviour and guilt feeling blocks this centre.
When Kundalini pierces this centre, the person becomes extremely truthful, tactful and sweet in communications and does not indulge in futile arguments. He becomes extremely diplomatic in handling situations without igniting the ego.
6. Agnya - This two petalled centre is called the Agnya and is placed where the two optic nerves cross each other in the brain (Optic chiasma). This Centre caters to Pituitary and Pineal glands in the body which manifests the two institutions of ego and superego within us.
Since this centre governs our eyes, too much visual engagements like cinema, computers, television, over reading etc, weakens this centre. Indulging in mental callisthenics and intellectual feats leads to blocking of this centre and one develops the notion of I-ness and ego.
When Kundalini pierces this centre, the person immediately becomes thoughtless and forgiving, which is the essence of this centre, that is it allows us to forgive others.
7. Sahasrara - This thousand petalled centre known as Sahasrara is the most important centre situated in the brain or limbic area. Actually there are thousand nerves, and if you take transverse section of the brain, you can see all these nerves beautifully arranged in a petal like structure to form lotus of thousand petals. This centre covers the limbic area of the brain, before realization, like a closed bud of lotus.
When Kundalini rises and pierces this centre, it awakens all the nerves thus enlightening every nerve centre and we say that the person is enlightened soul. Kundalini further pierces the fontanelle area and opens a gateway into the cosmos and we experience this as cool breeze on the head. This is actualization of the Union ( Self-Realization) with the all pervading Power of Divine.


--