Chapter 11-15 - Laya Yoga USA, meditation NJ, Hatha Yoga, Kriya

Chapter 11.
KUNDALINI
As a door is opened with a key, so the Yogi opens the
door of mukti (Liberation) by opening Kundalini by means of
Hatha Yoga.
Kundalini is of a bent shape, and has been described to
be like a serpent. He who has moved that Sakti (Energy) is no
doubt Mukta (released from bondage).
The Yogi, who has been able to move the Sakti deserves
success. It is useless to say more, suffice it to say that he
conquers death playfully.
"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (3.98, 3.101, 3.113)
Kundalini is a life force in the body of a yogi. Until the nadi (energy
channels) are cleansed, Kundalini sleeps. By means of hard practice of asanas,
pranayama, mudras and meditation a yogi awakens Kundalini energy and makes it to
move up through the central channel.
One should agitate Kundalini, piercing (the chakras),
and taking the vital breath to the sphere of the Moon. This
causes the entwining of the vajras, and closes the nine doors [of
the body]. [23]
-Mahasiddha Matsyendranath
"Yogavishaya of Minanath (23)
All movements, emotions and creativity are the manifestation of the
Kundalini in the body. While sleeping in its unopened state in Muladhara Chakra, it is
depicted as a snake, coiled three and a half times around a smoky grey lingam. The
three coils represent the three Gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
The half coil is the transcendent essence of Kundalini in the state of Turiya,
which is beyond the three qualities of nature. The smoky-colored Shiva lingam with
Kundalini coiled around it represents the subtle body (Sukshma Sarira). Its smoky
color indicates the defilement of the awareness typical for the three realms of
existence (Samsara). If a person doesn’t practice yoga, the head of Kundalini in his
body faces down.
If due to Yoga practice Kundalini awakens, its head faces up, being ready to
move up. Going up along the central channel (Sushumna), the snake gradually
straightens. When it has gone all the way up to the top along the central channel, the
snake stands on the tip of its tail in Muladhara Chakra while its head abides in the
brain.
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Chapter 12.
NETWORK OF CHANNELS (NADI)
Then Sandilya questioned Atharvan thus: "By what means
are the Nadis purified? How many are they in number? How do they
arise? What Vayus (vital energies) are located in them? What are their
seats? What are their functions? Whatever is worthy of being known in
the body, please tell me".
To that Atharvan replied (thus): "This body is ninety-six
digits (fingers) in length. Prana extends twelve digits beyond the body.
He who through the practice of Yoga reduces his Prana within his body
to make it equal to or not less than the fire in it, becomes the greatest
of the Yogins.
In men, the region of fire which is triangular in form and
brilliant as molten gold is situated in the middle of the body. In fourfooted animals, it (fire) is quadrangular. In birds, it is round. In its (the
region of life's) centre, the purifying, beneficial and subtle flame is
situated.
Two digits above the anus and two digits below the sexual
organ is the centre of the body for men. For four-footed animals, it is
the middle of the heart. For birds, it is the middle of the body.
Nine digits from (or above) the centre of the body and four
digits in length and breadth is situated an oval form. In its midst is the
navel. In it, is situated the Chakra (viz., wheel) with twelve spokes. In the
middle of the Chakra, the Jiva (Atman) wanders, driven by its good and
bad deeds. As a spider flies to and fro within a web of fine threads, so
Prana moves about here. In this body, the Jiva rides upon Prana.
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Lying in the middle of the navel and above it, is the seat of
Kundalini. The Kundalini Sakti is of the form of eight Prakritis (matter)
and coils itself eight ways or (times). The movement of Vayus (vital
airs) checks duly the food and drink all round by the side of Skandha. It
(Kundalini) closes by its head (the opening of) the Brahmarandhra and
during the time of (the practice of) Yoga is awakened by the fire (in the
Apana); then it shines with great brilliancy in the akasa (space) of the
heart in the shape of wisdom.
Depending upon Kundalini, which is situated in the
centre, there are fourteen principal Nadis: Ida, Pingala, Susumna,
Sarasvati, Varuni, Pusha, Hastijihva, Yasasvini, Visvodhari, Kuhuh,
Sankhini, Payasvini, Alambusa and Gandhari.
Of them, Susumna is said to be the sustainer of the
universe and the path of salvation. Situated at the back of the anus, it is
attached to the spinal column and extends to the Brahmarandhra of the
head and is invisible and subtle and is Vaishnavi (or has the Sakti force
of Vishnu). On the left of Susumna is situated Ida and on the right is
Pingala.
The moon moves in Ida and the sun in Pingala. The moon
is of the nature of Tamas and the sun of Rajas. The poison share is of
the sun and the nectar of the moon. They both direct (or indicate) time
and Susumna is the enjoyer (or consumer) of time.
To the back and on the side of Susumna are situated
Sarasvati and Kuhuh respectively. Between Yasasvini and Kuhuh
stands Varuni. Between Pusha and Sarasvati lies Payasvini. Between
Gandhari and Sarasvati is situated Yasasvini. In the centre of the navel
is Alambusa. In front of Susumna there is Kuhuh, which proceeds as
far as the genital organ. Above and below Kundalini is situated Varuni,
which proceeds everywhere. Yasasvini which is beautiful (or belonging
to the moon), proceeds to the great toes. Pingala goes upwards to the
right nostril. Payasvini goes to right ear. Sarasvati goes to the upper
part or the tongue and Sankhini to the left ear, (while) Gandhari goes
from the back of Ida to the left eye. Alambusa goes upwards and
downwards from the root of the anus.
From these fourteen Nadis, other (minor) Nadis spring;
from them spring others and from them spring others; so it should be
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known. As the leaf of the Asvattha tree (ficus religiosa) etc., is covered
with minute fibers so also is this body permeated with Nadis.
"Sandilya Upanishad" (1.15)
In this body there are 72,000 openings of Nâdis; of these,
the Suṣumnâ, which has the Śâmhhavî Sakti in it, is the only important
one, the rest are useless.
"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (4.18)
The human body is entangled in the subtle network of invisible energy
channels - Nadis. The root of the word nadi – “nad” means "flow". Nadis penetrate
and nourish the physical body with Prana from the toes to the crown. According to the
"Hatha Yoga Pradipika" and "Goraksha paddhati" there are seventy-two thousand
nadis. There are three main nadis - Ida, Pingala and Sushumna.
Channels of "Ten gates"
Sushumna, Ida, Pingala, Gandhari, Hastidzhihva, Yashasvini, Push,
Alambusha, Kuhu, Shankhini are the channels of the astral body (Manovaha Nadis).
They are named the channels of "Ten gates."
Kanda
Above the penis and below the navel there is a
rounded female organ of generation, resembling an egg of a bird. It is
from there the seventy-two thousands subtle energetic channels
originate.
-Mahasiddha Gorakshanath
"Goraksha Shatakam" (1.25)
Kanda ("root") is located above the base of the perineum and in front of
the anus. Its height is around 20 cm and its width is equal to four fingers. It is white
and soft, as if it is wrapped in a piece of cloth. In the physical body it cannot be seen
by means of ordinary vision. The spiritual vision enables us to see it just above the
Muladhara Chakra, where it is connected with Sushumna.
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It looks like an egg, or a root or a tuber plant with roots. Kanda is the
original source where all the channels (nadis) of the body begin. This place is called
granthisthana, i.e "the foundation of all the nodes." The petals of Muladhara chakra go
out of the edges of the base of Kanda.
At the level of the lower back, the spinal cord narrows and continues
down in the form of long silky strands of nerve endings ("ponytail" - Cauda equina).
These fine fibers descend from the base of the "tail" to the base of the spine. They
correspond to Kanda in the physical body.
Above Kanda sleeps the coiled Power, liberating yogis and
causing bondage to ignorant, he who knows that is perfect in the knowledge
of Yoga.
-Mahasiddha Gorakshanath
"Gorakshashataka" (1.56)
Pranava, Gudanala, Nalini, Sarpini, Vankavali, Kshaya,
Sauri and Kundali are the eight coils of Kundalini*.
-Mahasiddha Matsyendranath
"Yogavishaya Minanatha" (22)
*The eight coils of Kundalini correspond to the eight states of the energy
(Prakriti) in its original (hidden) state that one can experience during Kundalini
awakening:
~ Primordial Sphere (Bindu)
~ Primordial Seed (Bija)
~ Cosmic Vibration (Nada)
~ Five tanmatras: sound, tangibility, sight, smell and taste.
The Primordial Sphere (Bindu) gives birth to Knowledge (Jnana). The
Primordial Seed (Bija) gives birth to the Will (Iccha). The Cosmic Vibration (Nada)
gives birth to Action (Kriya).
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Chapter 13.
THE CENTRAL CHANNEL
(Sushumna nadi)
The channels of the subtle body are conductors of energy. There are
three most important channels for a yogi: Sushumna, Ida and Pingala.
Among these three, sushumna alone is the highest
and beloved of the Yogis. Other vessels are subordinate to it in
the body.
"Shiva Samhita" (2.16)
Her body, extends from the middle of the Kanda to
the Head, and the Vajra inside Her extends, shining, from the
Medhra (the genitals) to the Head.
-Swami Purnananda "Shat-chakra-nirupana" (1)
Sushumna is the main energy channel. All other channels are
subordinate to it. It begins in the Muladhara chakra in the tailbone area, runs along the
spine, penetrates the cavity in the base of the skull (Tala) and ends in the Sahasrara
chakra at the crown of the head.
In the area of Sahasrara chakra the central channel is divided into
two branches: the front branch that passes through the Ajna chakra to Brahmarandhra,
and the back branch that goes through the back of the head to Brahmarandhra.
This area is called "Bee Cave" (Guha Bhramari) or "the tenth gate."
The "Bee Cave" area is projected onto the top of the head ("soft spot"). If the yogi
leaves the body through the “tenth gates”, he will be liberated from the new birth.
Therefore, the back branch of Sushumna is very important for the yoga practice.
The ruling deity of Sushumna is fire.
In that hole of the sushumna there dwells as its
inner force the Kundalini. In the sushumna there is also a
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constant current of force called chitra. By simply remembering
this, one obtains the knowledge of Brahman, all sins are
destroyed, and one is never born again as man.
"Shiva Samhita" (5.124 - 125)
In the space outside the Meru (spinal column
from the Muladhara Chakra to the neck), placed on the left
and the right, are the two channels - the Moon and the Sun,
Ida and Pingala channels. The Nadi Sushumna, whose
substance is the threefold Gunas, is in the middle. It has the
form of Moon, Sun, and Fire. Its body is a string of blooming
Dhatura flowers.
-Swami Purnananda
"Shat-chakra-nirupana" (1)
Within Sushumna there is a fiery red channel with the rough tamasic
Kundalini that moves along it.
SUSHUMNA AND BRAHMARANDRA
When prana fills the central part of the body,
and the energy streams of Ida and Pingala enter into
Sushumna, there comes a higher phase of understanding.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (48)
After learning the method of directing the energy into the Sushumna
channel and forcing it to flow there, the yogi keeps it in Brahmarandhra (the very top
of the crown) - the center of supreme enlightenment. After awakening Kundalini will
pass up through Sushumna Nadi, piercing Chakras and saturating the brain. The
endpoint, where the Kundalini energy should stop and where it should abide, is the
top of the head (Brahmarandhra). A true yogi should raise the red subtle drop to
Brahmarandhra and then, lower the white subtle drop to the tip of the penis. As long
as Kundalini remains in Brahmarandhra, the yogi abides in samadhi.
The other name of Brahmarandhra is "the hole of Brahman" or "the
tenth gate" (Dasam Duar). If the yogi manages to make his pranas travel up the body
and leave through Brahmarandhra during the death, this kind of liberation is called
"liberation in one skull" (Kapala Moksha). All other nadis are related to the heart and
come out of the center of the chest. Sushumna nadi is the only channel that comes out,
piercing the head. So when the yogi leaves the body through Brahmarandra, he attains
immortality.
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VAJRA NADI
Inside the fiery red channel of the Sushumna, there is a luminous
Vajra Nadi with the Kundalini of the subtle body that moves through this channel. It
has a quality of the air element. In contrast to tamasic Kundalini that moves through
Sushumna, Kundalini of Vajra Nadi is rajasic and sunny.
CHITRINI NADI
The innermost of these three is chitra; it is my
beloved. In that there is the subtlest of all hollows called
Brahmarandhra. Brilliant with five colours, pure, moving in the
middle of sushumna, this chitra is the vital part of body and centre
of sushumna.
"Shiva Samhita" (2.18 - 19)
Inside it there is Citrini, who is lustrous with the
lustre of the Pranava (OM) and attainable in Yoga by Yogis.
Citrini is subtle as a spider's thread, and pierces all the Lotuses
which are placed within the backbone, and is pure intelligence.
Citrini is beautiful by reason of these (Lotuses) which are strung
on her. Inside Citrini there is the Brahmanadi, which extends
from the orifice of the mouth of Hara to the place beyond, where
Adi-deva is.
It is beautiful like a chain of lightning and fine like a
(lotus) fibre, and shines in the minds of sages. It is extremely
subtle; the awakener of pure knowledge; the embodiment of all
Bliss, whose true nature is pure Consciousness. The Brahmadvara (the gate to Brahman) shines in its mouth. This place is the
entrance to the region sprinkled by ambrosia, and is called the
Knot, as also the mouth of Sushumna.
-Swami Purnananda "Shat-chakra-nirupana" (2 - 3)
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Inside Vajra Nadi there is a thin channel of Sattvic nature - Citrini
Nadi. It is pale and illuminated in color with the Moon-like nature. The nectar is
streaming down through this channel. By focusing prana and mind on this channel,
the yogi manages to bring dreams and visions under control. Lotuses of all chakras
are connected to the Citrini Nadi. The chakras are like thickening of the energy
channels.
Citrini Nadi resembles a thin stem of a lotus, and shines like a fivecolor rainbow. It is a thousand times thinner than a hair and is called "the path of the
heavens." It gives the yogi Liberation and immortality. When a yogi concentrates on
the chakras in Chitrini Nadi he achieves siddhis. The extremity of Chitrini Nadi
through which the energy-prana enters the center of the head is called "brahmadvara".
Chitrini Nadi and Vajra Nadi are lunar and solar channels inside the
Sushumna. They begin two fingers above the basis of the Sushumna. These are the
channels of Manavaha Nadis inside Sushumna . When the winds gather in the central
channel, the yogi is able to experience the subtlest levels of the Clear Light.
BRAHMA NADI
Inside Chitrini Nadi there is the subtlest channel called Brahma
Nadi. Kundalini that moves along this channel is the purest, full of light, rising
energy. It has the nature of pure consciousness.
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Chapter 14.
IDA AND PINGALA
The nadi called ida is on the left side; coiling round
the sushumna, it goes to the right nostril.
The nadi called pingala is on the right side; coiling
round the central vessel, it enters the left nostril.
"Shiva Samhita" (2.25 - 26)
Solar and lunar flows (ida and pingala, respectively) are located on the right
and on the left sides of the central channel. Rising from Muladhara, they intersect
with Sushumna in the chakra points, connecting to the Ajna Chakra (this spot is called
"Mukta Triveni").
All these three vessels meet certainly at the mouth of the
Brahmarandhra; by bathing at this place one certainly obtains
salvation.
"Shiva Samhita"(5.131)
Three Nadis begin in Muladhara chakra (in Yukta-Triveni). From the area of
Ajna Chakra, the nadis Ida and Pingala lead to the nostrils and end there. As much as
winds move along the side channels, the body, space and time limit people.
Through pingala the sun can be controlled, and
through ida the moon can be controlled. The one who knows this
process has the power of the three worlds in a moment.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (67)
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The channels Ida and Pingala are the projections of the two fundamental
energies of the universe in the human body.
Chandra, the lunar flow, is the female principle; and
surya, the solar flow, is the male principle. Understand that the
moon is Shakti, the sun is Shiva. The complexion of the moon is
fair and that of the sun is dark. During the flow of chandra nadi
(ida), placid works should be done.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (60)
The left channel is the epitome of the feminine energy of the Moon; the right
channel embodies the masculine energy of the Sun.
During the flow of surya nadi, difficult and hard
works should be done. During the flow of sushumna those actions
leading to bhakti (devotion) and mukti (liberation) should be
undertaken.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (61)
During the period while the Pingala nadi is active one should focus on the
effort while practicing yoga. When the Ida nadi is active, one should focus on the
practices of dedication, self-devotion, and effortless contemplation, eliminating
efforts of the ego.
During the first three days of the bright fortnight, the
lunar nadi flows first and then alternates. In the first three days of
the dark fortnight, the solar nadi flows first and then alternates.
From this order you should know the rising time of the swara.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (62)
The activity of the left and right channels is strictly connected with the lunar
phases.
IDA
Ida nadi on the left is like amrit (nectar) and the giver
of strength and nourishment.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (57)
Ida is the channel of the power of mind (Manas shakti).
Ida is dim, like the moon. It starts at the left testicle and ends in the right
nostril. Female lunar channel, Ida cleanses and nourishes the life-giving energy of the
body. That’s why in all types of pranayamas (except Surya Bheda Pranayama) the
breath always starts with the left nostril. The nectar of the white bindu, falling down
from the Soma chakra, is divided into two parts. The first part flows through the lunar
channel, and the second part goes along the central channel. The sun (the red drop) in
the navel absorbs and burns this nectar.
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According to Swara Sastra, during the daytime the yogi has to keep his Ida
nadi active in order to balance it with the Pingala nadi. Karmic prana that moves
along the left channel is fine and sattvic, so while Ida is active one should focus on
contemplation. Ida is active on the growing moon during sunrise and sunset for nine
days. The Moon is the deity of Ida channel.
PINGALA
Pingala on the right is responsible for all creativity.
"Shiva Svarodayya" (57)
Pingala is a channel of active energy (Prana Shakti). Pingala is red, like the
sun and contains a poison. It is a brute, gross, impure energy (Klesha Prana). The Sun
is the deity of the right channel.
For longevity and health the yogi must keep Pingala active during the night.
Pingala is rajasic active channel. Pingala manifests itself as Manavaha Nadi and
Pranavaha Nadi. Pingala dominates during the sunrise and sunset of the waning moon
for nine days.
The root of Pingala is in Muladhara chakra. It starts on the right side of
Muladhara and spirally ascends upward along the spine, crossing with Ida in the
chakras. It ends at the root of the left nostril. It controls the right side of the body.
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Chapter 15
DUPLICATE CHANNELS
On the front of the body there are three energy channels (Medha Nadi,
Saraswati Nadi and Lakshmi Nadi) that can only be activated by experienced yogis.
People who don’t practice cannot access the energy of these channels.
Medha Nadi
(The channel of awareness)
Medha Nadi is the second most important channel after the Sushumna nadi because
these two major channels control all other nadis in the body.
Sushumna Nadi and Medha Nadi are the most subtle and fine channels. They
give the intuitive wisdom to a yogi who is able to activate them.
Medha Nadi is parallel to Sushumna and is located on the front of the body.
The activation of Medha Nadi directly depends on the brahmacharya lifestyle
(celibacy), because the awakening of this channel gives the ability to sublimate the
sexual energy. The yogi, who is able to activate this channel, stops any energy loss,
including the loss of the semen during the sleep. His sexual energy transmutes,
turning into Ojas. The energy, which is supposed to produce semen, becomes prana.
When the yogi manages to awaken Medha Nadi, he is able to develop
clairvoyance and opens the non-dual Nature of Mind. In the body of an ordinary
person Medha Nadi is not awakened. It is believed that due to the development of this
channel, the yogi achieves the state of the unflinching stable absorption into the
natural presence (Sahaja Samadhi) and does not lose it during the contact with any
object.
Medha Nadi starts in Muladhara Chakra. It goes up on the front of the body
and head and merges with Sahasrara Chakra.
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Saraswati Nadi
(The channel of wisdom)
The Saraswati Nadi is the auxiliary channel that is located on the left of
Sushumna. Saraswati Nadi corresponds to the projection of the Ida channel on the
front of the body. It starts in the Muladhara chakra, goes along the central channel on
the left up to the testicles and passes through Swadhistana chakra. From the left of the
base of the penis it goes up and passes the navel (one inch and a quarter on the left).
Then it goes upward to the physical heart and passes it one inch on the right of the left
nipple. Then it passes the left side of the neck and goes up near the left side of the
edge of the jaw, the back side of the left ear (an inch from its inner edge) and enters
Ajna chakra. In Ajna it merges with Ida, Pingala, Sushumna, Medha and Lakshmi
Nadis and enters the brain. The color of this channel is of a white camphor.
Saraswati Nadi provides all the thinking processes. If this energy channel is
clean, everything that the yogi says comes true. Due to the circulation of prana in
Saraswati nadi, the yogi has the clear thinking and refined mind. The wisdom prana
that is associated with the thoughts flows through Saraswati Nadi.
Saraswati nadi connects the brain (as the center of thinking) with chitta (as
the energy of thinking) in Muladhara. Due to the energy that flows through Saraswati
nadi, a person perceives the information about the object from his consciousness, i.e.
the brain is connected to the subtler consciousness of the astral body (to Chitta - the
substance of the mind).
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Lakshmi Nadi
Lakshmi Nadi is the corresponding nadi of the right channel of Pingala. It is
located on the front of the body and goes upward parallel with Saraswati Nadi.
Lakshmi Nadi starts in Muladhara and goes along the right side of the
urethra channel up to the testicles, touches Swadhistana chakra and crosses the area of
the testicles. From the right side of the root of the genitals it goes up and passes the
navel around one inch and a quarter on the right. Then it goes upward to the spiritual
heart (one inch left of the right nipple). Then it goes up along the right side of the
neck through the right side of the jaw and enters Ajna chakra through the back of the
right ear (about one inch from the inner edge of the right ear).
In Ajna it merges with the other nadis.
When Pingala nadi is active, Lakshmi nadi also works. If Pingala stops
working, Lakshmi channel also stops working.
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