DWTV Podcast Episode #8 “The Power of Pranayama” with Dr. Christie Smirl.The Most Lovely and Wise Dr. Christie Smirl (Kalavati Devi, Katyani Dasi).
The Power of Pranayama
Prana is defined as breath or life force. Ayama means extension or expansion. Pranayama is a yogic practice that systematically and consciously controls the breath to reach a specific goal or state of mind. A human takes about 15 breaths per minute and 21,600 times a day, usually unconsciously. Yet there are two modes of breathing: Metabolic and Behavioral. Metabolic breathing is involuntary breathing based on metabolic demand. Whereas behavioral respirations are intentionally manipulated. That being said, let’s start by looking at the plethora of benefits of mindful breath work in general.
• Promotes proper flow of prana • Connects mind and body • Induces focus, concentration, calmness and meditative states • Reduces the effect harmful emotions • Reprograms neural pathways linked to breath – emotional patterns • Deactivates stress responses from the sympathetic system • Balances doshas • Eliminates respiratory toxins • Improves tidal volume and spirometry • Normalizes blood pressure and heart rate • Balances hormones and neurotransmitters • Balances metabolism • Enhances agni • Reduces perception of pain
For all you science nerds, you may already know the physiology of basic metabolic breathing, but let’s do a quick review for a deeper understanding. Breathing is controlled by the brainstem. Sympatho-excitatory neurons in the brainstem are oxygen sensors and are regulated by blood oxygen levels. Chemoreceptors in the aorta and carotid arteries monitor blood oxygen concentrations and provide feedback. Low oxygen levels trigger deeper breaths. Chemoreceptors and the brainstem monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in blood and CSF. High CO2 levels trigger deeper breaths. Now, with that being said, let us look at how that reflects upon the nervous system. Remember that the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for “fight or flight” reactions and the parasympathetic nervous system promotes the “rest and digest” or “feed and breed” sides of life.
When a person encounters stress, real or only perceived, the sympathetic nervous system provides rapid mobilization of energy to respond to situations and activities. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are cranked out, resulting in vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate and elevated blood pressure. In addition, blood flow is shunted away from the digestive track toward muscles for a fast fight or flight response. Oh, and don’t forget, the adrenals secrete cortisol and that’s not something you want on a chronic basis.
When a person learns pranayama and can therapeutically regulate their breathing patterns they can regularly activate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote energy conservation, rejuvenation and that “rest and digest” phenomenon I mentioned. In this state, digestive enzymes improve, the heart rate normalizes along with the respiratory rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Muscles relax and repair, and vasodilation occurs to provide better blood circulation. Another benefit is the stimulation and release of endorphins “feel good hormones” as well as a more balanced hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis which is responsible for hormonal regulation.
Earlier I eluded to “real or perceived stress”. The brainstem translates incoming emotional data and responds in turn, whether it is truly happening or just a mental crap storm. Much of the data that triggers the nervous system is based on how you breathe. So let’s peek at some breathing patterns. • Anger – long forced breaths, like a bull about to charge. • Panic – short, fast, shallow breaths, like hyperventilation. • Pain – shallow and held breaths, like OMG, don’t move. • Sad – shallow, slow, more frequent sighs, like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. • Calm and happy – longer slow steady inhales and exhales.
Many breath patterns are driven by the subconsciousness and old looping emotional patterns, but pranayama can completely revolutionize this phenomenon. There are nearly 50 different styles of pranayama, each with different benefits and aims. I’m going to discuss two of the most common and safest breath modifications. Note that not all pranayamas are safe for everybody. When done wrong or an inappropriate method is chosen, it can result in the air hunger, seizure, overheating, syncope (fainting), cardiovascular instability, stroke or death…. just to name a few risks. I’m going to cover Ujjai pranayama and Nadi Shodhana pranayama, which are typically safe for anybody, so let’s check them out.
Ujjai pranayama aides in obtaining victory and control over the mind. Ujjayi actually means victorious. This breath technique, when done properly, tricks the mind into thinking it is in a state of deep sleep relaxation, not stressed. It provides all the benefits listed above, plus facilitates in reprograming breath-brain neural patterns linked to old emotional traumas. Here’s how it is done.
Stage 1 – Sit in any comfortable meditation posture with head and spine upright, preferably padmasana or ardha padmasana. Eventually this can be done while in motion during asana or martial arts. Relax the whole body, close your eyes and begin diaphragmatic breathing. To learn diaphragmatic breathing, inhale fully while relaxing the abdominal muscles. Be sure that each inhale is to full lung capacity, slow, deep, controlled and through the nose. On exhale, activate the inward and upward contraction of abdominal muscles to facilitate the upward contraction of the diaphragm. (see image A) Be sure that each exhale is full, slow, controlled and through the nose.
Once you have this pattern down pat, start stage 2 of Ujjai pranayama by learning how to performing a gentle constriction of the glottis. First, let’s talk about the glottis (see image B). How do you know if you are constricting the glottis? Well, try making a sound like Darth Vader. Go ahead, try it. Ok, tone it way down now, close your mouth and produce a soft hissing sound in the back of your throat, like you’re pretending to breath like you’re sound asleep. This gentle glottis constriction will be applied for the entire duration of all inhales and exhales.
Now that you have that part of the Ujjai technique added, it is time to manipulate the duration and ratio of inhale to exhale. Ensure that the rhythm is comfortable, smooth, controlled, and relaxed without air hunger. Start with an inhale count of 4 second and an exhale count of 8 seconds. That’s 5 breaths per minute. Once that feels manageable try and inhale count of 6 seconds and an exhale count of 12 seconds, resulting in 3.3 breaths per minute. Eventually, you can lengthen the inhale count to 8 second and the exhale count to 16 seconds to equate 2.5 breaths per minute or even slower as tolerated without dizziness, discomfort or air hunger . At first, try this pranayama 10 minutes morning and night as tolerated. Many people perform Ujjai longer, throughout an entire asana practice. Gage it for yourself. Stop if it’s difficult. Don’t go overboard and of course consult a doctor or yoga trainer if you have questions, concerns.
Here’s one more famous pranayama method call Nadi Shodhana. Nadi Shodhana means channel cleansing. This technique is also known as Anuloma Viloma pranayama, meaning alternate nostril breath control. It has the same benefits as pranayama in general, but it has a few extra special benefits.
Balances right and left hemispheres of brain.
Balances ida and pingala (right/left, yin/yang channels of subtle body).
Reduces stress, fear, anxiety, pain and insomnia.
Increases focus, concentration, inspiration, intuition and higher states of consciousness.
Stimulates the ajna chakra (third eye).
Great before tests, speeches, important interactions, stressful encounters.
Quick note: if your nose or sinuses are clogged or obstructed in anyway (polyps, cysts, swelling, deviated septum), this will not be a good method for you. Stick to Ujjai pranayama.
This is how we do it. Stage 1 – Place your right hand in Nasagra Mudra (see image C) with the thumb by the right nostril and the ring finger by the left. Close left nostril and inhale slowly and fully in through right nostril. Now close right nostril and exhale slowly and fully out left nostril. Inhale slowly and fully in through left nostril, then switch and exhale slowly and fully out right nostril. Find a steady rhythm with a 1:1 inhale – exhale ratio. First try inhaling to the count of 6 and exhaling for the count of 6 to achieve 5 breaths per minute. Eventually you can try inhaling to the count of 12 and exhaling to the count of 12 to achieve 2.5 breaths per minute. Repeat this for 5 – 10 rounds or 5 – 10 minutes a few times a day. Don’t go crazy though. Avoid air hunger or dizziness. If you have any unstable cardiovascular conditions, just stick to stage 1.
When stage 1 feels totally comfortable, you can progress to stage 2 of Nadi Shodhana pranayama by adding breath retention after each inhale. Using the same method, try inhaling for 6 seconds, holding your breath for 6 seconds, then exhaling for 6 seconds (3.3 breaths per minute). After extensive practice over time some people achieve 1 breath per minute, but like I said, don’t go crazy. Enjoy and find your comfort zone. Remember that when you are emotionally stressed, one of the quickest ways to avoid farther progression into a rabbit hole is to BREATH. Regular practice makes pranayama second nature, not just an emergency band aide.
Visit HealthierVibrations.com to learn other yogic techniques, watch Healthier Vibrations YouTube videos or to find out more about formal online Yoga Teacher Training with Christie Smirl.
A True Dharma Warrior.
Christie Smirl is a Doctorate of Ayurvedic Medicine, Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of acute care experience, a Master of Science, a certified E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher Trainer, Reiki Master, tantrika, internationally published author, owner and operator of Healthier Vibrations school of yoga and meditation, bhakti musician, artist, Sant Mat practitioner, Aghori practitioner, Kali LHP practitioner, poet and Mother. She can contacted through HealthierVibrations.com and connected with on YouTube, Sound Cloud, Pandora, I Heart Radio, Ancho FM, Bandcamp, WordPress, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram.
WARRIOR FLOW YOGA 8AM AST (-3:00 GMT) Join me live in the street (6156 Quinpool Rd Halifax NS), via Zoom or IG Live!
The Dharma Warrior will be joining his friends at TAYS for International Yoga Day on Monday June 21! Starting at 8am this week’s instalment of Warrior Flow Yoga will be streaming from the sidewalk at TAYS! We will be making chalk art, posting fun pics and revealing some fun other news that is going on at TAYS!
I’ll be somewhere on the grass or the pavement in front of the studio rain or shine well into the day! Come down and show some love and support or join online for the first instalment of Sidewalk Flow Yoga!
WATCH DWTV PODCAST #7 “UNLOCKING HIGHER LIFE POTENTIALS” WITH DR. CHRISTIE SMIRL
Higher levels of health and wellness can be unlocked and obtained when we realize that we are much more than just a brain and biochemical physical body. For thousands of years, ancient scholars and physicians from civilizations across the globe have known about the subtle energy systems and their integral importance to our existence and health. The functionality, vibrational frequency and health status of these energy centers, determines the quality and quantity of available life force and vitality. The vibrancy of the subtle energy system and each chakra is largely determined by underlying physical and mental health. Everything is interconnected. Every substance consumed creates its’ own vibration that interacts with the gross and subtle body. Every thought, situation and environment generates a vibrational ripple that can be temporary or long lasting.
Purification and alignment of the chakras can be achieved once a person learns how the physical body, emotions and subtle anatomy interact. Selecting new patterns, activities, thoughts and emotions can create incredible, long term multidimensional transformation in one’s personal life, relationships, professional life, spirituality, future generations and beyond. Change starts with us. As we heal ourselves, we can help heal others and begin healing the world. Every living organism has a vibrational field. Mass is determined by molecular frequencies. Every cell generates tens of thousands of biochemical and light wave reactions per second. Each cellular organelle, body system, organism and human has a complex operating system with optimal energy thresholds. E = mc² is the famous equation from Albert Einstein that reminds us that energy equals matter times the speed of light. These quantum physics applied to the human chakra system can activate and harmonize higher potentials.
Chakras are multidimensional, wheels, vortices, energy centers with vibrational patterns that influence the physical body, mental processes and spiritual vitality. Chakras vibrate and send information outward. Sensory and extra-sensory information is also received and processed through the chakras. This information flows to and from other humans, social groups, animals, the plant kingdom and spiritual realms. The streaming data is never ending and can be consciously manipulated for personal and collective evolution.
Each chakra is unique and radiates at its own optimal frequency to support the vitality of specific body regions, organ systems, nerve plexuses, marmas and endocrine glands. The seven primary chakras extend vertically through the body, starting with the root chakra at the base of the spine; extending to the sahasara at the crown of the head. The functioning of chakras can become restricted or abnormal due to lifestyle, trauma, illness, nutrition, stress, toxins, emotions, outside influences, electromagnetic fields, beliefs and conditioned patterns. All the chakras interact and support each other when healthy. Together, they create the aura and subtle bodies.
The vibrational patterns of chakras are not visible to the naked eye, but these nonverbal communication signals are still detectable by humans, animals and the disincarnate world. With practice, these frequencies can be modified to change the way an individual interacts with others on a conscious and subconscious level. The first step is to become intimately familiar with ones’ own patterns in order to create alignment and mastery. Thoughts and emotions are nothing more than vibrational cognitive processes and reactions. They are like waves in the ocean, sometimes calm, sometimes stormy. Thoughts can be amplified or subdued through awareness and choice. Understand that each thought is a vibration, and those vibrations affect digestion, the nervous system, the circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, hormones and overall health. Each person has the power to alter their thoughts and overall vitality to attain liberation from suffering.
To learn more about chakras and how your can reclaim control over your chakras and life transformation, visit the Healthier Vibrations Learning Center. Christie Smirl offers free classes, short courses and teacher training programs that are self paced online with private mentorship. Christie Smirl believes that every person is capable of establishing a healthier alignment between mind, body and soul. With 30 years of medical and healing experience in Western science and the Eastern sciences, Christie Smirl teaches multidiscipline integrated methods that empower maximum health, conscious transformation and self-actualization. As a Doctorate of Ayurveda, Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science and Advance Yoga Teacher Trainer, she offers year round university, corporate, public and personal counseling and education in Ayurveda and yoga. Know also as Kalavati Devi or Kali Samadhi, Christie has recorded five international albums and authored five books as part of her mission. Connect and access the Healthier Vibrations public education library at HealthierVibrations.com.
Dr. Christie Smirl / Kalavati Devi
FIND LINKS TO PURCHASE CHRISTIE SMIRL’S “CHAKRA ALIGNMENT” AND TO WATCH THE ACCOMPANYING 3 PART VIDEO SERIES BELOW!
If you’re looking to improve your health, you may be looking for answers online or social media. The thing is, sometimes these sources can be filled more with fads than solid health-boosting advice. While some of these trends may produce quick results, most are ineffective for building lasting health. In fact, some are downright dangerous. So if you are serious about getting healthy and staying that way, you should stop following trends and fads. To maintain everyday health and wellness, try putting these essentials from Dharma Warrior to work.
Improved Sleep Quality
If you miss out on a few hours of sleep here and there, you may not feel great but your health is not likely to be affected. Chronic sleep issues, however, can have lasting and severe impacts on both your brain and body. You need consistent and quality sleep to avoid heart disease, dementia and other conditions, so make enhancing yours a top priority. One natural remedy that can help with insomnia and anxiety that causes insomnia is CBD oil. CBD is a natural form of therapy that, unlike THC, does not produce the effects of feeling high. Since CBD can interact with certain medications, talk to your doctor before trying it.
Small Diet Changes
What you eat is just as important as how well you sleep. If your current diet could use some improvement, there are several small tweaks you can make today that will have major impacts on your well-being. You can start by drinking more water throughout the day, but eating more protein, plants and leafy greens can also add up to some pretty significant health benefits.
Less Stress at Home
The effects of stress can be beneficial in some ways, but too much stress can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Chronic stress has been linked to chronic pain, insomnia and several chronic health conditions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can start relieving tension by clearing out bad energy at home. Try spending time cleaning, decluttering and opening windows to let in some fresh air.
Regular Self-Care
Reducing stress at home can boost your well-being but it’s also important to have consistent self-care habits built into your regular routines. Self care sentially taking care of your own needs, which can include exercising, eating healthy and taking time to relax. If you are struggling with physical pain and tension in addition to emotional stress, healing therapies like massage can be a great form of care.
Laughing & Smiling More
If you really want relief from chronic stress, you should try to laugh more. When you laugh and smile a little throughout the day, you can get your blood flowing and your heart pumping. Plus, laughter has been shown to have benefits for the immune system and may even help reduce the feelings of depression. So throw on a funny show or movie and have some laughs today.
Non-Sedentary Lifestyles
You don’t necessarily need to work out every day in order to stay healthy but you do need to avoid living a sedentary lifestyle. If you work in an office or from home, it can be all too easy to fall into this sort of inactive routine. If you want to break the cycle and improve your health and well-being, starting with small steps can do the trick. Try taking a brisk walk on your lunch break or commit to standing whenever you’re using your phone. These small changes can add up fast.
Strong Social Connections
A lifestyle that lacks social connections can also have dire consequences for your mental and physical well-being.Staying social is crucial for preventing feelings of isolation and depression, but staying connected to family, friends and community members can also help prevent several chronic health conditions. When getting out of the house for coffee, meals or meetings is not an option, you can maintain these essential social connections by “meeting” with others online.
Boosting your health and happiness doesn’t have to be stressful. You just need to tweak a few of your daily routines, and possibly your home. These are real secrets to creating lasting wellness and lasting quality of life. So start taking more control of your health!
You can enhance your health journey through healing arts such as reiki, yoga or martial arts. For private or group lessons, reach out to Dharma Warrior today.
Jennifer McGregor knows how difficult it can be to sift through the mountains of health-related information on the web and wants to make it easier for people to find high quality health info.Find more from Jennifer at http://publichealthlibrary.org
Bhakti is to love for love’s sake and surrender to Divinity. “Bhaj” is to adore or worship God. The beautiful indescribable path of devotion cultivates a transformative peace, stability of mind, strength and inspirational bliss. Bhakti is much more than singing or chanting the Holy names. There are countless forms of bhakti. Let’s take a look at nine types of devotional sadhana: sravaṇa, smarana, arcana, vandana, pada sevana, dasya, sakhya, kirtana and atma nivedana.
Sravaṇa is listening to the scriptural stories, attending satsang or hearing messages from a true guru. Smaraṇa is the process of remembering or fixing one’s mind onto divinity. Often this involves memorizing sacred literature or mantra. The mind becomes purified of vitiations during smarana as it is immersed in sacredness. A third form of bhakti is arcana, which is the worshiping of an image of Divinity. Arcana may involve murtis, yantras, mental images or creating sacred art. Vandana is paying homage and kīrtana is group praise of Godhead, often through ecstatic song and dance. I’ll never forget the time I attended a church around the corner from my Mom’s house when I was about 7 years old. They were hollering, clapping, weeping, dancing and rolling on the ground in devotion. The incredible energy overwhelmed me with tears and I found a new sense of hope and connection.
Another form of bhakti is atma nivedana when a person completely surrenders their life actions to the Supreme. This is also compared to the concept of isvara pranidhana in the eight limbs of yoga. Imagine a life lived in constant sincere aspiration to experience God through meditation and every mundane action. Bhakti is a path with so many other nuances when approached through pada sevana, dasya and sakhya. Pada sevana is the rendering seva, the selfless giving to other people, animals or nature in the form of donations, time, assistance and knowledge. Even our basic activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning and self care can be offerings when the mind connected in union. Dasya is servitude and sakhya is friendship. To lovingly serve and show compassion reflects the recognition that God is in all beings.
“Those who seek shelter in Me, O Arjuna, are of four types:Those who are in distress; those who seek understanding;those who seek power; and those who are wise.” –Bhagavad Gita 7:16
The Bhagavad Gita verse eloquently describes four different motives for bhakti. Either something is wrong or a person is seeking answers to questions. Another reason for bhakti is to obtain boons, siddhis or empowerments. However, the purest form of bhakti is done out of pure love. When prayer, song, art, dance, service, intentions and the fruits of labor are offered to God, a person becomes free of bondage. Sing like a child. Dance like the wind. Create a life that reflects the love of God emanating through you.
“Those who, with minds fixed on Me, are ever united to Me in pure devotion, are in My eyes the best versed in yoga.Those, however, who aspire to the Indestructible, in Indescribable, the Unmanifested,the All-Pervading, the Incomprehensible, the Immutable above all vibration,who have subjugated the senses, are even-minded, and devote themselves to thewell-being of all – verily, they, too attain Me.” – Bhagavad Gita 12.3-4
The Dharma Warrior will be hosting a podcast with Christie Smirl (Kalavati Devi) on bhakti and taking a look into her sacred art and music. Also, if you want a deeper look into Bhakti Yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita, enjoy this one hour video segment from the exclusive Healthier Vibrations online series with Craig Williams, LAC.
Christie Smirl is a Doctorate of Ayurveda, Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science, Yoga Teacher Trainer, University Professor, Reiki Master, Author, Artist and bhakta. Her website is HealthierVibrations.com where you can connect with her music, publications, blog, online courses and social media.
“All souls should blossom like flowers and radiate positive fragrance, delight and joy to their surroundings.” ~ Sri Sri Adishakti Maa
In the summer of 2015 my dear friend, teacher and fellow “Jedi” Jazz Sarab Meher Kaur returned home to Halifax from California for an extended visit. While home that summer, Jazz was kind enough to initiate me into Kundalini Yoga, after having become a certified instructor in India in 2012.
Some years prior in Winter of 2009 I had initiated Jazz into Level 1 & 2 of the Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho (Reiki Usui System of Natural Healing) at which time I lent her a few books on the subject. Upon meeting again in summer 2015 Jazz returned the books which were in storage at her family home. One of the books “The Big Book of Reiki Symbols” sat on the shelf until recently when I decided I needed to compose a daily healing practice. I took the book off the shelf and opened it to a random page. I was shocked to see the heading “Lapis Lazuli and the Medicine Buddha Yakushi Nyorai”. Somehow I had overlooked this entire section in the few years the book was in my possession prior to lending it out. The events which follow are a perfect example of the synchronicities which often manifest at auspicious times and give much validation to my spiritual pursuits and endeavours.
I went back to the beginning of the chapter titled “The Healing Buddha Yakushi Nyorai” and consumed it quite rapidly. After finishing the section on Lapis Lazuli it became evident that my new daily healing practice would be centered around the Medicine Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, but where to go from there…Upon turning the page I was delighted to see the chapter concluded with 7 different daily practices!
It seemed the majority of the work had already been done for me, so I decided to put together a small shrine on the Eastern wall of the Ashram. I painted a small decorative shelf gold and began collecting appropriate items from around the Ashram to adorn it. I had recently painted a Buddha statue orange which is one of the central sacred colours at Shiva Dharma Ashram. I picked up the statue and upon analyzing it a little closer I came to a shocking realization…The statue which had been in my possession for over a decade, which was given away and returned to me via strange circumstance, was none other than the Medicine Buddha himself, Yakushi Nyorai. I immediately took the statue outside where I was spray painting some pots and other decor Lapis Lazuli blue.
This was somewhere around the end of July of this year, 2019.
The Medicine Buddha is often depicted with skin of vibrant azure blue like the popular healing stone Lapis Lazuli, which was revered across the known ancient world for its healing powers. People would travel from far and wide to harvest the healing blue stone from the mines of the Hindu Kush mountains in modern day Afghanistan.
August 2 I met with my good friend Sara to exchange a painting of Dakshina Kali for the Lapis Lazuli prayer mala of my dreams. Sara works at the local Black Market Boutique in downtown Halifax who specialize in jewellery, textiles and decor hand selected in India. In the past Sara had gone on buying trips to India for the shop and it turns out she had hand selected a few of the rings and jewellery I have acquired over the years. One of these items is my most sacred Lapis Lazuli ring which I wore daily until recently when it was damaged. Luckily I have friends who are silver-smiths and will help reset the stone. Shortly after breaking this ring another Lapis Lazuli ring was gifted to me from another dear lady friend, Adriel. Lapis just finds its way to me…
In the past year my daily devotion to the Medicine Buddha has become central to my healing practice, and I was surprised to discover other ways in which this entity had slipped beneath my radar. Early on in my research on Yakushi Nyorai, I discovered that the Medicine Buddha is in fact an evolution of an earlier Hindu deity named Bhaisajyaguru who went by an even older name as Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja “Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light”
Bhaiṣajyaguru is described in the Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja Sūtra, more commonly known as the Medicine Buddha Sutra, as a bodhisattva who made twelve great vows. Upon achieving Buddhahood he became the Buddha of the land of Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa, “Pure Lapis Lazuli”, where he is attended to by two bodhisattvas symbolizing the light of the Sun and the light of the Moon respectively.
Bhaisajyaguru, I later came to discover, is connected to Bhairava or Kala Bhairava, an ancient form of Shiva who is particularly revered in the tradition of Natha Yoga of which I am a devotee. Being the friend and protector of two black dogs I was quite happy to discover, upon being commissioned in Autumn of 2019 by my good friend Aaron to paint Kala Bhairava, that the black dog is his sacred symbol! Upon farther research I discovered that this is a shout out to the ancient Indian God of Death, Yama. Yama would disguise himself as a black dog to go unnoticed while keeping a watchful eye on his friends and loved ones.
Kala Bhairava is also known as Mahakala Bhairava throughout India and Nepal or simply Mahakala. In Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, Mahakala is worshipped as a protector deity which harkens back to the ancient Indian Mahakala as the personal guardian of Lord Shiva.
Another emanation of this Healing Buddha is the Sanskrit Vairocana or Mahavairocana, who was seen as an embodiment of the Buddhist concept of Sunyata “emptiness” or “voidness”. Vairocana was commonly invoked to help ease the difficulties of pregnancy, to heal infertility, promote longevity or to exact spontaneous and “miraculous” healing. Mahavairocana was also called upon for successful learning, protection during exploration and sea journeys and for protection against storms, epidemics and catastrophes.
Looking back upon the aforementioned events, and the unravelling of symbolisms surrounding this obscure lineage of of healing deities, tracing back to times immeasurable and spanning much of the Ancient Eastern globe, I can not help but feel that something was conspiring behind the veil…
This series of events and the subsequent research have brought me to a deeper understanding of various aspects of my spiritual and healing practice. In the past year since beginning to write this brief essay, my relationship to Kala Bhairava has deepened and intensified, becoming central to my daily Puja.
Blessings and Obeisance to the Immortal line of Shiva’s Naths! Om Shri Kala Bhairavaya Nameh! Om Nameh Shivaya!
Event time: Sunday, May 30, 2021 12pm Atlantic Time (AST /GMT-3:00) JOIN LIVE VIA ZOOM!
This work is dedicated to my many students and many teachers on the path.
I extend sincere gratitude to Swami Tadatmananda and his work and research in the film “Kundalini as Envisioned by the Ancient Yogis” which has greatly informed and inspired the current presentation.
Preface I urge the reader to approach the subject of Kundalini Yoga with respect and precaution. Having witnessed first hand the traumatic effects that the rapid raising of the Kundalini energy can cause in the human organism, I would recommend taking great care in beginning to practice this powerful form of Yoga.
It can most easily be explained thusly: all change on the energetic level caused by practice of Kriya or Kundalini Yoga must be absorbed and regulated in the physical world. It is most natural and most heathy for change of this nature to happen in a slow and controlled manner. It is when the Kundalini energy is raised rapidly that the human organism struggles to synchronize with these new energies on the physical, mental and emotional levels. For this reason, among many others, I would recommend developing one’s Kundalini practice in a slow and steady manner, preferably under the guidance of an experienced teacher; which may be quite hard to find.
In the modern day, one will find it quite easy to find shallow Gurus looking to make a quick dollar, or to rise to some level of personal fame. This is problematic enough on its own, but when dealing with forms of Yoga Kriya and Sadhana which can have drastic and potentially harmful effects upon the practitioner, we start to enter a whole other level of questionable and dangerous practice.
The following information is presented with the intention of providing an elementary understanding of the practice of Kriya Yoga in the Vedic traditions as taught by the ancient Yogis. It is not my intention to provide a clear and concise system to supplant where there is a modern day lack, but rather to share my own findings and research on the subject in hopes that those looking to begin the practice of Kundalini Yoga will do so from a position of having at least familiarized themselves with the foundational concepts which shape the tradition before diving in to any level of practice whether under the guidance of a teacher on on one’s own.
Kundalini Yoga in theory and in practice has been taught in secret for millennia, and for good reason In my not so humble opinion. Proceed with caution.
Introduction Kundalini Yoga is a very ancient practice which has become popular among modern day practitioners of Yoga the world over in recent decades. An attempt will here be made to expose the elementary aspects of Kundalini Yoga as presented in the ancient Indian texts of the Vedas and the Upanishads contrasted to the modern understanding of the practice.
The force called Kundalini in the Vedic traditions has been recognized by cultures the world over by many names. The Chinese arts of Qigong and Chinese medicine call this force “chi” or “qi” while the Japanese variation is “ki”. From the Sanskrit Candali, the later Tibetan “Gtummo” is derived from Tummo/Domo theTibetan Buddhist Goddess who inspired an entire Yogic practice by the same name. Tummo/Domo in Vajrayana Buddhism by which Yogis have developed amazing control of the energetic bodies. The best example of this is perhaps the amazing feat of the mountain Yogis who can control the temperature of their body in freezing temperatures via these practices to the point that frozen towels lain on their backs will first thaw, then evaporate and totally dry out from the Yogi’s intense generation of heat. Other examples of these “Siddhis” or powers granted to the Yogi are many. One blessing of modern technology is that we can now see the increased electromagnetic energy via Kirlian Photography. Even the modern day medical and scientific communities are starting to acknowledge the validity of the energetic body. Many modern day medical practitioners are encouraged to learn energetic healing techniques such as Reiki and Quantum Touch to aid in the treatment of patients.
The following essay is a textualized version of a lecture prepared for a local audience and intended to give the student a stepping stone towards developing their own personal practice inspired by Kundalini Yoga as taught by the Rishis, the ancient sages of the Vedic texts. An honest and true effort has been made to rediscover the teachings of Kundalini Yoga as taught by the ancient Yogis. To my dismay I found it surprisingly difficult to find a single person in the West even attempting to revive the tradition as taught in the Vedic texts save for Swami Tadatmananda, a Vedic monk whose research and experiments are documented in his film “Kundalini as Envisioned by the Ancient Yogis”
The Modern Day Practice of Kundalini Yoga
Firstly, an attempt will here be made to briefly explore the prevailing aspects of the practice of Kundalini Yoga as understood in the modern day. The modern day understanding of Kundalini Yoga in the West can be credited to a small number of influential Gurus and teachers. We will here attempt to outline these influential figures and their contributions to the modern understanding of the practice. Aside from the early teachings of the Rishis in the Vedas and Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras as presented by Patanjali (circa 400CE) are considered to have contributed greatly to the modern understanding of Yoga.
“The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali are a collection of 196 Indian sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. The Yoga Sutras were compiled prior to 400 CE by Sage Patanjali who synthesized and organized knowledge about yoga from older traditions.The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali was the most translated ancient Indian text in the medieval era, having been translated into about forty Indian languages and two non-Indian languages: Old Javanese and Arabic. The text fell into relative obscurity for nearly 700 years from the 12th to 19th century, and made a comeback in late 19th century due to the efforts of Swami Vivekananda, the Theosophical Society and others. It gained prominence again as a comeback classic in the 20th century.
Before the 20th century, history indicates that the medieval Indian yoga scene was dominated by the various other texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, texts attributed to Yajnavalkya and Hiranyagarbha, as well as literature on hatha yoga, tantric yoga and Pashupata Shaivism yoga rather than the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali.Hindu orthodox tradition holds the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali to be one of the foundational texts of classical Yoga philosophy. However, the appropriation – and misappropriation – of the Yoga Sutras and its influence on later systematizations of yoga has been questioned by scholars such as David Gordon White, but reaffirmed by others such as James Mallinson.
Modern scholars of yoga such as Philipp A. Maas and Mallinson consider the Bhasya commentary on the Sutras to be Patanjali’s own, and the Sutras to be his summary of older accounts of yoga. The combined document is thus considered to be a single work, the Pātañjalayogaśāstra.”
The text known as the Shiva Samhita has also contributed much to the modern day understanding of Kundalini practice, Shaivism and Yoga in general. The Shiva Samhita is commonly dated to the 17th century and not credited to any known author, however some scholars suspect the text could date back as far as the 10th century Gorakhnath, Hindu reformist and founder of the Nath Sampradaya.
“Shiva Samhita (IAST: śivasaṃhitā, also Siva Samhita, meaning “Shiva’s Compendium”) is a Sanskrit text on yoga, written by an unknown author. The text is addressed by the Hindu god Shiva to his consort Parvati. The text consists of five chapters, with the first chapter a treatise that summarizes nondual Vedanta (Advaita Vedanta) philosophy with influences from the Sri Vidya school of South India.The remaining chapters discuss yoga, the importance of a guru (teacher) to a student, various asanas, mudras and siddhis (powers) attainable with yoga and tantra.
The Shiva Samhita is one of three major surviving classical treatises on hatha yoga, the other two being Gheranda Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. It is considered the most comprehensive treatise on hatha yoga, one that recommends that all householders practice and benefit from yoga.Over a dozen variant manuscripts of the text are known, and a critical edition of the text was published in 1999 by Kaivalya Dham Yoga Research Institute.” –https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_Samhita
In his documentary film “Kundalini as Envisioned by the Ancient Yogis”, Swami Tadatmananda lists four major contributors to the modern renaissance of Kundalini Yoga, namely: C.W. Leadbeater, Gopi Krishna, Swami Muktananda and Yogi Bhajan. We will now briefly explore the contributions of these individuals and a small number of others to the modern day understanding of Kundalini Yoga in the West.
In his book “The Chakras” (1927), C.W. Leadbeater(1854-1934 Perth, Australia) presents a version of the Chakras with many adaptations based on his personal influences from Western occultism and the Theosophical Society of which he was a member. The Theosophical Society is an occult initiatory order founded by Madame Helena Petrova Blavatsky (1831-1891) claiming to have received spiritual wisdom from a group of quasi-superhuman beings known as” the Society of Hidden Masters” existing in a shadowy location upon Earth’s eastern hemisphere from where they emit psychic transmissions to adepts the world over who have been attuned to these mystic channels.
The Indian Yogi and social activist Gopi Krishna (30 May 1903 – 31 July 1984) was instrumental in popularizing Kundalini Yoga in the modern day and was highly influential among Western “hippies” and New Age spiritual seekers. His book Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man is Gopi Krishna’s personal account of his experience with Kundalini and can be seen to have greatly influenced the modern day understanding of the practice. Gopi Krishna promoted a Yogic practice commonly known as Kriya Yoga based on the teachings of the Yoga Sutras compiled by the sage Patanjali circa 400CE. Though the Yoga Sutras were the most commonly translated Indian texts in medieval times they fell into obscurity until more modern times when they were popularized by Gopi Krishna as well as the renowned Vedic philosopher and revolutionary Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Muktananda (1908-1982) taught a version of Kundalini Yoga heavily influenced by the Kashmiri Shaivite tradition to which he belonged. Swami Muktananda left home at the age of 15 and travelled throughout India seeking the instruction of a number of gurus. It was under the instruction of Bhagavan Nityananda that Swami Muktananda claims to have been granted great Siddhis or powers, the ultimate being the passing on of Nityananda’s power unto Muktananda on his death-bed. This transference of Shakti or “Shaktipat” is a common point of contention among modern day Kundalini practitioners, some believing whole heartedly in its veracity, while others insist that this widely used technique of many modern gurus and spiritual teachers is no more than a money grab. Swami Muktananda went on to develop his own spiritual tradition known as Siddhi Yoga, incorporating many aspects of Kundalini practice learned from Nityananda and a life-long pursuit of Yogic power.
The version of Kundalini Yoga which has become most prominent in the modern day is that as taught by Yogi Bhajan and his 3HO Foundation.The 3HO Foundation present a version of Kundalini yoga which strays greatly from the traditional teachings as presented in the Yoga Upanishads.Yogi Bhajan incorporated various aspects of his personal Sikh religion, replacing the original Sanskrit mantras with Sikh mantras. In addition to replacing the original Sanskrit mantras with his favoured Sikh mantras, Yogi Bhajan also incorporated various aspects of Kriya Yoga, a form of Yoga taught by the Patanjali which gained great popularity with the New Age movement in the mid to late 20th Century.
In addition to these four major contributors to the modern theory and practice of Kundalini mentioned by Swami Tadatmanananda in his research, I would like to here draw attention to a small number of other key figures who have made significant contributions to the modern understanding and practice in the Modern West.
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) was a renowned Indian philosopher and political revolutionary who had a profound influence on the development of Hindu and Yogic philosophy in his short life. Kundalini Yoga remained largely unknown to the western world until it was brought to the United States by Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) in 1893. As a Hindu monk in his early life Swami Vivekananda was a disciple of Ramakrishna, a Hindu mystic and saint. Ramakrishna drew from a wide experiential background in various religious traditions including the Vedic streams of Tantrism, Vaishnavism and Advaita Vedanta which certainly helped form Swami Vivekananda’s ideas on Yoga and Vedic philosophy. After Ramakrishna’s death in 1886 Swami Vivekananda established a monastic order titled Ramakrishna Math and a more open religious organization called the Ramakrishna Mission in honour of his guru and his teachings.
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was an occult magickal group based in London England in the late 19th Century and into the early 20th Century whose membership was highly influential to the understanding of Kundalini Yoga among other subjects of Eastern mystery of the time. The membership of this group could be called a “who’s who” of the British occult community of the time.
Among the most prominent and influential members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was the British writer and ceremonial magician Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), who was instrumental in popularizing Yoga with a Western audience in the early to mid 1900s. In addition to travelling extensively through India and China as a young adult, Crowley pursued many avenues of both the Eastern and Western mystery traditions in search of spiritual wisdom. Crowley’s book “Magick in Theory and Practice” provides a detailed outline for beginning mystical practice using the diverse system of Yoga. Much later in his life, in 1939 Crowley published a book entitled “Eight Lectures on Yoga” which provides great insight into various aspects of Yogic practice from a lifelong practitioner and teacher. Both of these works were very instrumental in the popularization of Yoga with practitioners of Western mysticism from the mid 20th Century to the modern day. Crowley’s contribution to the development of the modern spiritual paradigm and the New Age movement in general are difficult to quantify and by far outreach the aims of this brief introductory text.
To the modern Yogi, particularly in the West, Kundalini Yoga has come to be associated with a diverse variety of ideas and practices. While many aspects of these modern associations have their roots in traditional aspects of ancient Yoga, many of these aspects are later additions developed by Yoga practitioners from times immemorial up to the modern day. Many of these more modern aspects of what is now known as Kundalini Yoga in the West may indeed have great benefits to the practitioner, but this is not to be brought into question here. Our aim is to simply outline the practice of Kundalini Yoga in the modern day contrasted to its ancient Vedic origins.
The popular modern day branches of Kundalini Yoga have been shaped by a wide variety of influences and claim origin in differing sources. The contemporary vision of this ancient practice differs greatly to that of the Rishis who originally described Kundalini Shakti in the Vedic texts of India’s remote antiquity.
Kundalini Yoga as Taught By the Ancient Yogis
Now, we will attempt a brief exploration of the religious and philosophical currents of thought that influenced the earliest ideas surrounding the mysterious Kundalini energy.
The ancient Yogis describe Kundalini Shakti as the life force energy which lies dormant, coiled like a snake at the base of the spine. While this life force energy is envisioned as the manifestation of the feminine aspect of the life force or Kundalini Shakti, the masculine principle within Kundalini Yoga is embodied by Shiva, the Lord of Consciousness and the supreme deity of Kundalini Yoga.
Kundalini Yoga evolved from the practices of the Shaivite spiritual traditions of ancient India. Shiva is the God of consciousness and is the central deity of Kundalini Yoga. Shiva is the consort of Shakti whose name means “power”. The Kundalini energy which lies dormant at the base of the spine is known as Kundalini Shakti. Kundalini Shakti is a powerful, healing and transformative energy described by the Yogis and Rishis in the ancient Vedic texts, particularly in the 20 Yoga Upanishads.
In his film “Kundalini: Awakening the Shakti Within”, Raja Choudry says that after the cerebral-spinal complex is fully developed in the human organism that the Kundalini, no longer needed to protect the vital development of the body, descends or recoils to the base of the spine. The kundalini lies dormant but can be stimulated through certain practices used to “rouse the fire serpent”.
From the Yoga Kundali Upanishad: “The Sakti named Kundalini, which is like a thread in the lotus and is resplendent, is biting with the upper end of its hood (namely, mouth) at the root of the lotus of the mulakanda. Taking hold of its tail with its mouth, it is in contact with the hole of bramharandhra (of sushumna). If a person seated in the pad ma posture and having accustomed himself to the contraction of his anus makes his vayu go upward with the mind intent on Kumbhaka, then agni comes to svathisthana flaming, owing to the blowing of vayu. From the blowing of vayu and agni, the chief (Kundalini) pierces through the Bramhagranthi and then Vishnugranthi. Then it pierces Rudragranthi, after that, (all) the six lotuses (or plexuses). Then Sakti is happy with Siva in sahasrara kamala. This shouild be known as the highest avastha (state) and it alone is the giver of final beautitude.” – as presented by Raja Choudhrey
Though in the modern day Yoga is practiced by males and females alike with no major differences in the practice dependent upon biological sex or gender. The following quote from the Yoga Sikha Upanishad when speaking of these techniques gives a clue as to the intended audience in those times being at least prodominantly male:
From the Yoga Sikha Upanishad: “The triangular part between the anus and penis is called the mooladhara. This is the place where Shiva lives as a life giving force. There the Parashakthi called Kundalini lives. From there wind is produced. The fire is also produced from there. From there only the sound “Hamsa” and the mind are also produced. This place which would give whatever is asked for is called Kamakhy peetam (the seat of passion).”
The ancient Yogis developed a number of techniques for awakening the Kundalini energy and directing it throughout the body. According to the Yoga Upanishads, Kundalini is roused and controlled via the development of four aspects of Yoga: Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga.
Mantra Yoga is the chanting of sacred Sanskrit words believed to hold divine or supernatural powers. Specific mantras are chanted to invoke different deities, elements and supernatural forces for the purpose of cultivating Kundalini Shakti. Specific mantras are employed by the Rishis to guide the Kundalini energy from the base of the spine upward toward the crown of the head, through 7 power zones known as “chakras”.
Hatha Yoga employs the use of a combination of asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and bandhas (muscular contractions). Hatha Yoga also uses various mantras and mudras (hand positions) to invoke specific forces and to focus the mind of the Yogi in meditation.
Laya Yoga seems to be a term that was once used to denote the practice of the control of the energetic body, but the term has come to be synonymous with Kundalini Yoga in the modern day and no real significant distinctions can be made about its origins or practice save for the fact that the term was once popular in ancient India.
Raja Yoga is a mystical tradition formed from the teachings of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Raja Yoga can be roughly translated from its native Sanskrit as “Royal Yoga” or “the Yoga of Kings” reflecting the insistence by the Rishis that all other aspects of Yoga are meant to prepare the Yogi for Raja Yoga or meditation. In this way holding postures, flowing with the breath, and even moral aspects of Yoga can be seen as preparing the body and mind for enduring long periods of meditation. Aleister Crowley proposed that poses should be held for 5-10 minutes for the purpose of preparing the body as the muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones often take several minutes to relax.
The Nadis and the Chakras
The Nadis and the Chakras in the Human Body
We will now explore the general understanding of the energetic body as described in the Vedic texts. Swami Tadatmananda makes an important observation in his film “Kundalini Yoga- As Envisioned by the Ancient Yogis” regarding the Nadis and the Chakras. It is important to not treat these two systems as one and the same, as there are indeed important distinctions to be made between the two systems. The Nadis belong to a pre-scientific model of the human nervous system detailed in Vedic texts dating back over 3,000 years. Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning “tube” or “pipe”. There are three major Nadis according to the Upanishads. The Pingala and Ida nadis are commonly understood to correspond to an active and passive or masculine and feminine polarity of energy in the body. The Pingala Nadi is Solar or active in nature and corresponds to the left hemisphere of the brain, starting at the base of the spine and terminating at the right nostril. The Ida nadi is Lunar or Feminine and corresponds to the right hemisphere of the brain, terminating at the left nostril. The balancing of the Pingala and Ida nadis allows for Kundalini to rise from the muladhara or root chakra into the hollow central channel of the Sushumna nadi which runs the length of the spinal column.
Swami Vivekananda on Kundalini and the Nadis “According to the Yogis, there are two nerve currents in the spinal column, called Pingala and Ida, and a hollow canal called sushumna running through the spinal cord. At the lower end of the hollow canal is what the Yogis call the “lotus of the Kundalini”……when that Kundalini awakes , it tries to force a passage through this hollow canal (Sushumna), and as it rises step by step, as it were layer after layer of the mind becomes open and all the visions and wonderful powers come to the Yogi. When it reaches the brain, the Yogi is perfectly detached from the body and mind; the soul finds itself free.”
Pingala Nadi Masculine/Solar Left Brain Right Side Body Heating/Energizing Active
Ida Nadi Feminine/Lunar Right Brain Left Side Body Cooling/Calming Passive
Nadi Shodna – Alternate Nostril Breathing
Various techniques are employed in Kundalini Yoga to work with the Nadis and the flow of energy or prana in the subtle body. Nadi Shodna, popularly known as alternate nostril breathing, is a commonly used breathing method for stimulating and balancing the energies of the Nadis.
Sitting with a tall spine in an upright seated position, the right hand thumb covers the right nostril. Breathe deeply through the left nostril, stimulating the Ida Nadi, the right brain, and the cooling, calming qualities of this subtle energy channel. Retain the breath in kumbhaka as long as is comfortable before plugging the left nostril with the ring finger of the right hand and exhaling through the right nostril. Hold for as long as is comfortable before repeating the process on the opposite side. Plugging the left nostril with the right hand ring finger, inhale deeply through the right nostril. This stimulates the heating and active energy of the Pingala Nadi, the left brain, and the right side body. Hold the breath in for as long as is comfortable before plugging the right nostriland exhaling through the left. This entire process should be repeated several times and can be practised daily to help balance the active and passive energies of the Nadis.
The Seven Chakras As Described in the Upanishads
While the Nadis serve as the channels that carry prana through the body, the Chakras serve a different purpose which is specific to the practice of Kundalini Yoga. While the Nadis are believed to actually exist in the physical body, the Chakras were not originally believed to exist in such a physical way but were incorporated by the Rishis much later. The Nadis are mentioned widely throughout all 108 Upanishads, while the Chakras are only given mention in the 20 Yoga Upanishads, lending credence to their more specialized function for the purpose of employment in the practice of Kundalini Yoga.
“The Chakras were tools used by the ancient Rishis to draw the attention and the Kundalini energy to particular areas of the physical and subtle body for reasons of healing, meditation and various other purposes. It is difficult to determine at what point in history various other attributions were attributed to the chakras, but it is fair to say that the system as understood in the modern day differs greatly from that used by the Rishis and ancient Yogis.” -Swami Tadatmananda
Now we will explore the 7 Chakra system as presented in the Yoga Upanishads. The traditional Yantras (images), Mudras (hand postures), Mantras (chanted sounds) and other traditional associations will be outlined for each of the 7 power zones. Asanas (postures) are provided which are said to influence the organs and areas of the body. Using these Asanas, Mudras and Mantras while focusing on the traditional Yantras and embodying the appropriate deities, the student is provided with many tools to practice Kundalini in a traditional fashion. Images of the traditional deities associated with each of the lower 5 Chakras are provided at meditative tools for the student. A brief description of each of these associations is provided with the intent that the student might have something to take away from this class that can be used to develop a personal practice inspired by the version of Kundalini Yoga taught in the Vedas and Upanishads.
The Muladhara chakra is located at the base of the spine and is typically coloured red. The root chakra is associated with the element Earth which is represented by a yellow square. The deity of the Muladhara chakra is Bramha, the creator god. Bramha here holds a Vedic scroll, the elixir of life and a Mala necklace, the traditional prayer beads of the Yogis. Bramha is also sometimes seen holding a large spoon with which he stirs the “kunda” meaning chalice in ancient Tamil, implying the rousing of the fire serpent, however many also believe the origin of the word Kundalini to mean “coiled” in sanskrit.
The ancient Yogis suggest Sukhasana, Balasana, Malasana and Uttanasana to stimulate the Muladhara chakra. Mulabanda or “root lock” is a technique used to encourage the arousal of the Kundalini at the base of the spine. This technique is employed by contracting the muscles of the perineum, the muscles of the anus and sex organs. This technique is often used in conjunction with Bastrika Pranayama or “Bellows Breath”, commonly known as “breath of fire” to encourage the Kundalini to rise from the Muladhara Chakra and begin its ascent up the spinal column via the Sushumna Nadi. Bastrika Pranayama, also known as Kapalabhati Pranayama or “Shining Skull Breath”, employs rapid forceful exhalation combined with rhythmic pulsation of the abdomen muscles as a technique to fan the flames of Muladhara and force prana into the Sushumna Nadi via the production of heat expanding from the root chakra, “the rousing of the fire serpent”
“Within the Muladhara Chakra is a yoni, and within that yoni is a great linga.” – Yoga Chudamani Upanishad
The Yoni is Kundalini Shakti, the feminine principle, and the Linga is the masculine principle, Shiva manifest as pure consciousness. Via the union of Shiva, the masculine force with the infinite power of Shakti is the world made manifest.
Svadhisthana Chakra
Svadhisthana Yantra
Svadhisthana Chakra
Yantra: 6 Petalled Lotus Element: Water Mantra:Vam Deity: Vishnu as Sustainer of the Universe
Vishnu, the Deity of Svadhisthana Chakra
“Vam” Mantra and Mudra for Svadhisthana Chakra
The Svadhisthana chakra is usually coloured orange and is located at the sacrum just below the naval. The associated element is water represented by a blue crescent moon. The Svadhisthana chakra is said to influence the kidneys, urinary tract, the genitals and the reproductive organs. The ancient Yogis ascribe Balasana, Natarajasana and Parirtta Trikonasana for working with the Svadhisthana chakra.
Vishnu is here depicted in his form as Sustainer of the Universe. Having four arms Vishnu here holds a vajra, a lotus, a horn and a large ring.
Manipura Chakra
Manipura Chakra
Yantra: 10 petalled lotus Element: Fire – red triangle Mantra: Ram Deity: Rudra
Rudra, the Deity of Manipura Chakra
“Ram” Mantra and Mudra for Manipura Chakra
The Manipura chakra is typically coloured yellow in the modern day though it is traditionally associated with the element Fire, represented by an upward red triangle. The manipura chakra influences the adrenal gland, the liver, the pancreas and the digestive system. Bhastrika Pranayama is a recommended practice for strengthening the MAnipura chakra.
The deity of the Manipura chakra is Rudra, the old aged Shiva. Rudra is a deity associated with fire and a god of hunters and warriors. Here Rudra holds the Sacred trident or Trishul and the Damaru, the sacred drum of Shiva. Rudra is also often depicted holding a serpent and an animal carcass.
Anahata means “that which can not be struck” and refers to the heart or the soul. The heart chakra is typically coloured green in the modern day and is said to hold influence over the physical heart and the circulatory system as well as the lungs and the respiratory system. The Anahata chakra is associated to the element Air which is represented by a blue circle. Air here draws the attention to Prana, the breath of life which enters the body through the lungs and travels throughout the body via the complex network of Nadis.
Ishvara, the beneficent form of Shiva, is the God of transformation, purification and growth. Growth here signifies rebirth, and fruition. Shiva takes many forms as a god of creation and destruction. Here the beneficent form of Shiva as Ishvara is a deity of the personal soul, being a pure embodiment of the divine. Ishvara holds the sacred trident or Trishul and a Damaru, a drum sacred unto Shiva.
Vishuddha means “pure” or “untainted” in Sanskrit and refers to the purity and perfection of the soul. Resting at the base of the throat, the Vishuddha chakra influences the thyroid gland, the trachea, the esophagus, the neck and shoulders,the lower jaw, the teeth and the mouth. The throat chakra is typically colored blue in the modern day and is associated with the element Akashah or “space” which is represented by a transparent circle. The Asanas Savangasana, Simhasana, Halasana and Matsyasana are referenced by the Yogis as postures to strengthen this sphere.
The bi-gendered form of Shiva and Paravati known as Ardhanarishvara embodies the balancing of the masculine and feminine principles, the right side being solar or masculine while the left side is lunar or feminine. In his right hands the Bi-gendered Shiva holds a trident, a serpent and horns while in their left hands they hold prayer beads.
Ajna Chakra
Ajna Chakra
Yantra: 2 petalled lotus Element: N/A Mantra: N/A (Om in later traditions) Deity: N/A
“Om” Mantra and Mudra for Ajna Chakra
Ajna being Sanskrit for “a command” or “order” denotes the mind’s role as the command center of the entire human organism.
Though this energy center is now commonly referred to as the “Third Eye Chakra”, this is a more modern interpretation as the Upanishads make no mention of a “third eye” in reference to the Ajna chakra. No deity or mantra are associated with this chakra because in meditation upon the Ajna chakra the yogi should have no images or ideas on the mind, being focused on “atman” the perfect and non-dual nature of being. This concept of the non-dual nature of reality is central to the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta which underlies the ancient teachings of the Vedas and has been carried into modern Buddhism. For this reason the extensive and highly accessible meditation techniques of practitioners of Advaita Vedanta are of great assistance to the student in working with the Ajna chakra. In the modern day the Ajna chakra is coloured indigo and is associated with the brain, particularly the pituitary and pineal glands, the nervous system and the ocular system. Located just between the brows, the Ajna chakra serves as a point of focus during meditation in Kundalini Yoga as the eyes are typically closed and the eyeballs rolled upwards with the gaze focused on the point of the brow chakra.
“The practice of Kundalini Yoga reaches its climax when the Kundalini finally ascends to the Sahasrara Chakra.” – Swami Tadatmananda
“Having pierced the six Chakras, Kundalini Shakti merges with Shiva at the thousand-petalled lotus at the crown of the head. That is the supreme state. That is the cause of liberation.” -Yoga Kundali Upanishad
The Sahasrara chakra is located at the crown of the head and is associated with the pituitary gland, pineal gland and the nervous system. In the modern day Sahasrara is associated with the colour violet. Modern yogis ascribe the Asanas Shavasana, Vriksasana and half-lotus posture to aid in strengthening the chakra and associated organs and energy centers.
Among my fondest memories from childhood, I remember waking up early every Saturday morning with excitement for the new weekly cartoons. I was an aspiring cartoonist in my youth, and from a very young age was inventing my own comic book characters. Many of these characters have been lost to the sands of time in my memory, though some of the characters were actually quite good. Having grown up with a brilliant painter and artist for a Mother, I had become quite a skilled illustrator at a young age and with grandiose vision I had even submitted ideas for consideration to Marvel Comics by the age of 7 or 8 years old.
The Adventures of the Dharma Warrior
DHARMA COMICS COMING SOON!
Among my fondest memories from childhood, I remember waking up early every Saturday morning with excitement for the new weekly cartoons. I was an aspiring cartoonist in my youth, and from a very young age was inventing my own comic book characters. Many of these characters have been lost to the sands of time in my memory, though some of the characters were actually quite good. Having grown up with a brilliant painter and artist for a Mother, I had become quite a skilled illustrator at a young age and with grandiose vision I had even submitted ideas for consideration to Marvel Comics by the age of 7 or 8 years old.
By the age of 10 years or so I had become quite immersed in the world of the table top role playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and for some time I aspired to be a writer and illustrator of fantasy art. Images of heroes and villains, dragons and castles and mythical landscapes filled my day dreams in my pre-teens. Much of my teenage years was spent gaming and developing aspects of my Forgotten Realms campaign, a popular fantasy style world made for the Dungeons & Dragons game.
Though I never did pursue a professional career as a writer or illustrator of comic books or fantasy art, much of the spirit of this stage of my life has lived on through other aspects of my expression as a writer and visual artist. I see so much of myself as a little boy when I look upon my devotional spiritual practices throughout lif, right up to the modern day. When I began researching Western ceremonial magick in my late teens I was quite pleased to discover a concept that a modern day psychologist might call the “archtype”, which I had been familiar with on a subconscious level from a young age. Not only was I creating and illustrating my own characters from a young age, but these characters always seemed to represent some latent or unsatisfied aspect of my self; some sort of spirit that I felt lived within and wanted to come to life through me. In this way the Dharma Warrior has existed for a long time, and has manifested in different guises in my artistic expression throughout my life. So too I have embodied and brought to life other selves, and the more that I have become a conscious contributor in this process the more powerful the process itself, and the avatars have become.
The NightWolf Issue #333: The Atrocious Cry of Wolves (draft cover image)
From time to time I always find myself with a feeling of wishing I had done more with my skills as an illustrator, so in recent days I have decided to start brushing up on my drawing skills in an attempt to provide even more entertaining and inspiring content for the friends and fans of the Dharma Warrior. I have decided to resurrect my love of comic illustration via the Dharma Warrior Blog by providing weekly Saturday Morning Cartoons! I have been preparing a small number of entertaining comic strips and segments which will soon begin appearing on the DW Blog early every Saturday morning. I hope to eventually expand this section of the blog to include an entire section with crossword puzzles, word-searches, horoscopes etc like you see in the weekly news papers. This process has re-kindled my old love of character creation and story telling, and I think my friends and fans will enjoy some comic relief in the modern dark age. I think you’ll all enjoy some of the sections I’ve been working on. I try not to take myself too seriously as it is, but this will really be having a laugh on me for the most part. I look forward to sharing Dharma Comics with you all very soon!
STAY TUNED IN THE COMING DAYS AT HTTP://DHARMAWARRIOR.NET FOR DHARMA COMICS! COMING TO A SATURDAY MORNING NEAR YOU!
DWTV Podcast Episode #4: 2020 Halloween Special! “Mysteries of Jyotish: The Nakshatras Part 1” with Iron Age Jyotish
DWTV Podcast 2020 Halloween Special with Iron Age Jyotish
Thank you all for joining the Dharma Warrior and Iron Age Jyotish for the DWTV 2020 Halloween Special! A great time was had by all! (A really great time was had by the Dharma Warrior har har) We look forward to more Sabbatic fun and games in future episodes! Stay tuned for more here at DharmaWarrior.net, on social media and via the Dharma Warrior Youtube Channel!
“The Mysteries of Jyotish: The Nakshatras” A Guest Blog and Podcast Series in 3 Parts
“Mysteries of Jyotish: The Nakshatras Part One” begins a three part Guest Blog and Podcast series on the mysteries of the Lunar Mansions (the Nakshatras) in Vedic Astrology. Stay tuned for the latest installments here at DharmaWarrior.net and on DWTV via the Dharma Warrior Youtube Channel!
Iron Age Jyotish: Ancient Vedic Wisdom for the Modern Dark Age
DWTV Podcast #3: “Mysteries of Jyotish: The Rashis” with Neal John MacRae of Iron Age Jyotish
DWTV Podcast Episode #3: “The Mysteries of Jyotish: The Rashis” with Iron Age Jyotish
“The Zodiac is more than a cyclical progression of symbols that analogue the stars which distantly circumference the planetary ellipses of our solar system – the Zodiac is a complex cipher that describes Time and the Semantic Essence of a given span of Time on every possible scale. The Zodiac can encompass a moment, a season, an age, or even the life-span of the Universe.”– Mysteries of Jyotish: The Rashis Part One : The Primordial Age
Stay tuned to DWTV via the Dharma Warrior Youtube Channel for more on the “Mysteries of Jyotish Series with Iron Age Jyotish!
Read the first installment of Iron Age Jyotish’s series on the Mysteries of the Rashis on the DharmaWarrior.net blog!! “Mysteries of Jyotish: The Rashis Part One: The Primal Age” by Harry Neal John MacRae of Iron Age Jyotish is the first installment of a three part series exploring the nature of the Zodiacal system of the Rashis in Vedic Astrology.
