We already discussed about the 4 marghas or paths to realize the ultimate truth.

They are as follows:

1.   Karma Yoga is where we attach the importance to the action or actions in our work life. The philosophy that is attributed to is ‘Work is worship’.

2.  Gnana Yoga is where we attach the importance to the pursuit of gathering knowledge and intelligence. This includes gaining knowledge about ‘Brahmavidya’ or ‘The science of gods or the knowledge of the ultimate reality’.

3.  Bhakthi Yoga is where we attach the importance to worship and devotion to God and to the ultimate reality.

4.   Kriya Yoga or Kundalini Yoga or Raja Yoga or Transcendental meditation is the path where we gain experience (post acquiring the required knowledge of the ultimate reality) by both efforts - the upward traversal of the kundalini sakthi  through the 7 major chakras (journey) situated along the spine of the human body and by knowing the ultimate reality (destination) and coming into contact with the eternally divine and blissful Adi Para Sakthi.

There are 2 concepts tied here. First, experiencing the ultimate by transcendental meditation and second, merging with the ultimate at the time of death called as 'Mukthi' or 'The Great Merge' or 'The Great Liberation'.

Unfortunately, the chakra systems are fully developed to an advanced state only in humans and not in the animal or plant kingdoms.

Even in humans, there are some (like Rishis and Maharishis) who have very advanced chakra system and there are some (like hunter gatherers of the past) who have a primitive rendering of the chakra system.

We have seen in one of my early writings as how the chakra system and the modern Maslow’s hierarchy are related in an interesting manner.

It is considered that for the unawaken soul, the Kundalini Sakthi lies at the base of the coccyx like a coiled serpent waiting to be raised up.

We have seen the below in my earlier writings –

1.      The brain centric physical body through the Karmendriyas experiences the contact actions on itself.

2.      The heart centric ghost body through the Gnanendriyas experiences the feelings and emotions. By this, the outer physical body also experiences some effects like laughing, crying etc.,

3.      The Pranamayakoshana inside the astral body experiences the tanmatras (these tanmatras are like common denominators of similar experiences happening in all souls in all life forms)

4.      The Karanashariram or the soul (also store house of all the impressions that was picked up by it in its journey through possibly several life forms) lies beyond all these experiences. How does one experience the presence of soul and its state?

For this experience we need deep insights into Brahmavidya and the knowledge and practice of Kundalini Yoga.

Where will the soul lie w.r.t to the chakra systems?

For advanced ‘good-hearted’ souls, the likely place of presence of the soul is the solar plexus or the ‘Anahata chakra’ or the ‘heart chakra’. For somebody rudimentary (like some wild animals) say lacking empathy/sensitivity, the soul is likely to be present in some other chakra below the Anahata chakra.

I take my knowledge gathering endeavours (by book, music, talks, meditations etc.,) quite seriously. While at my due diligence, I try to ‘connect the dots’, ‘solve the zig saw puzzle’, ‘complete the incomplete aspects’, ‘complete the missing part of the pattern’, ‘fill in the missing pages’, ‘investigate like how Mendeleev tried to complete the periodic table’ etc.,

The key is not to rush to conclusions but to be patient and wait for the right clues. Here is where being a polymath helps – you may get the clues from any field of knowledge areas that you may come across as a polymath!

Based on the above thoughts, I believe the below aspects are true.

The soul present in the Anahata chakra is considered to be in its natural state. This is because the awakened and raised Kundalini can be rested here. By default, the chakras are in closed state and while you are meditating on the chakras, they may open. But after the meditation state, it goes to closed state again.

Say, a person is attempting to experience the soul and its state by the Kundalini Yoga.

1.      If the person, is ‘good-hearted’, he may not have much difficulty in raising the Kundalini Sakthi from the base to the heart chakra in his initial attempts.

2.     If the person, is a bit basic and rudimentary, he may not be able to raise the Kundalini Sakthi much.

3.    The difficulty encountered in raising the chakra is called as ‘Knots’ or ‘Granthis’. These knots are to be resolved by carefully curating the soul by practising yoga, exercising good deeds/thoughts, performing selfless services, through devotion and by the practice of Kundalini Yoga (a.k.a Raja Yoga, Kriya Yoga etc.,).

4.    In ‘Lalithasahasranama’ , there is mention about the 3 granthis lying on the path of the kundalini sakthi trying to travel upwards along the spine. (please see the reference)

5.    Above the heart chakra, there are 3 main chakras – Vishuddhi chakra or the throat chakra, Ajna Chakra a.k.a ‘the third eye’ and the Crown chakra or Sahasrathalam or Sahasrahara.

6.    The Kundalini traversing to these chakras (Visuddhi, Ajna and Crown) will enable a person to reach the higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchical constructs. This happens in a deep state of meditation and once the mediation is over, the kundalini now falls back to the Anahata chakra and rests there. It will not be returned to the coccyx once raised.

Please note that even without the raising of the Kundalini Sakthi, some people may have a feeling that they have reached the top levels of Maslow's hierarchy. But I believe that the same higher level experience may become a profound and deeply enriching soulful experience if those people successfully practice Kundalini Yoga! (something like observing the snow versus observing the snow flake under a microscope!!)

7.    While, passing through the chakras, the kundalini sakthi makes the person equate to or understand the relevant experience of current or past lives stored in the soul as impressions.

8.  Points 6 and 7 are corollary. i.e you are developed and/or you may recall/enhance the developed states present already.

9.   When the Kundalini sakthi reaches the crown, the person may experience euphoric bliss which is supposed to be the default state of being of the great and divine Adi Para Sakthi.

This Kundalini Yoga is not for the ordinary and definitely not for kids. Please refer to the book by ‘Gopi Krishna’ where he has explained other physical and mental traumas while practicing the Kundalini Yoga. It has to be done only with the spiritual guidance of a master. You may consider taking it up after you have passed some considerable time in the Grihastha phase. Since this practice makes you observe your self as a third person and analyse yourself, there may be some effects like the tempering of the animalistic sex drive.

References:

1. https://www.fitsri.com/articles/three-granthis-brahma-vishnu-rudra

2. Gopi Krishna, 1970, Revised Edition (ISBN 978-1-57062-280-9), Shambala Publications, “Kundalini – The Evolutionary Energy in Man”

Hari Om!

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