Yoga Beyond Belief: Insights to Awaken and Deepen Your Practice

Centers
    The chakras are described as a series of seven energy centers located along the spinal column. The subtle body is said to be composed of 72,000 energy channels called
nadis
. In the same way that blood flows through veins, prana, or life force, flows through these nadis. They are similar to the concept of meridians in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Of the 72,000, three are of prime importance: the
ida
, or moon,and the
pingala
, or sun, which balance heating and cooling qualities, and the
sushumna
, or “most gracious,” which is the central channel along which the seven centers are strung.
    At the bottom of our spinal column is the base chakra, which is said to be a coiled, mystical latent energy that can be awakened. This mysterious, latent energy residing at the base of the spine is called
Kundalini Shakti
, which means the “coiled energy,” and is usually symbolized by a serpent. Serpents symbolize esoteric, hidden energy. Snakes live and hide underground and they invoke feelings of power and fear. In the East,
naga
, or serpent imagery, often represents esoteric, mystical, or divine powers. Many of the gods have serpents as canopied thrones, showing they have controlled or mastered these energies and powers. In the West, on the contrary, the serpent is often a symbol of evil, as in the story of Adam and Eve. The Western dragon actually better captures the ambiguity of the Indian naga than does the serpent. Some researchers have suggested that proponents of opposing religious viewpoints often recast the religious symbols of their adversaries, in this case the serpent, into symbols of evil. In any case, dragons, serpents, and snakes have always been powerful, evocative symbols.
    The lowest and first chakra, called
Muladhara
, meaning root or base, is located in the sacrum (“sacred bone”) and holds the latent, mystical serpent power, Kundalini. This first center represents the earth, or matter, center. The second chakra, called
Svadishhtana
, meaning “one’s own place,” is the water center. The third chakra is the fire center, and is called
Manipura
, which means “the jeweled city.” The fourth chakra, the air center, is the heart chakra called
Anahata
, meaning “unstruck sound.” The fifth is the sound center, called
Vishuddha
, meaning “the wheel of purity.” The sixth is the third-eye center, called
Ajna
, meaning “the command center.” The seventh and highest, is the crown center,
Sahasrara
, or “thousand-spoked wheel.” One of the purposes of yoga is to bring awareness to these centers and to help awaken, balance, and keep them functioning properly.
    The chakras are often described in great detail with specific colors, shapes, and numbers of lotus petals and associated sounds. Mystics have reported metaphysically seeing these wheels of energy in the astral body on the subtle planes. In visionary experiences we may see and experience the light body and many wonders, but we must use critical scrutiny to make sure we are not merely seeing our own inner projections. Energy manifests in myriad layers of reflective complexity. Psychological, physical, mental, or spiritual energy can also be projected through avenues of self-deception and exploitation. In other words, the mind can easily create and then envision self-serving, vivid manifestations of its own projections. Discerning the actual from the imagined or projected can be difficult or impossible and separating the two has been the subject of research and debate. In dreams and in meditation, we tend to see what we think about or elevate in importance. It is also possible to have true inner visionary experiences, seeing many layers of mathematical intricacy and geometrical relationship of matter, energy, and information as they integrate at higher levels of complexity and order. There are many ordered fields of energy around the body, and around and within atoms and molecules. Though the beauty of this holographic vision is ultimately beyond description, it nonetheless inspires many drawings of chakras, mandalas, and other artistic attempts at graphic representation.
    “Awakening Kundalini” refers to awakening each person’s seven latent spiritual and creative energies—physical/material, sexual/sensual, will/intent, love/compassion, expression/communication, mental/intellectual, and spiritual/universal. Awakening Kundalini can also be understood simply as awakening and manifesting our full creative potential. This