Seven Human Energy Centers

Seven energy centers form the framework of consciousness that incarnates in human form. Most yoga traditions refer to these energy centers as chakras. The Christian book of Revelation refers symbolically to the energy centers as seven seals that must be opened to realize the kingdom of God. Opening the seven energy centers is the result of a natural and desirable progression of human consciousness. The top attributes of each center and its main purposes are listed below. The lowest five centers create the universe as average humans perceive it. The lowest energy centers are also responsible for the stages in the life cycle of every manifest thing and being.

7 Subtle Energy Centers

The Crown
The Crown Energy Center is the home of the thousand petal lotus, the Abode of God, and the only real substance. No human form of communication can describe this center or the personal revelatory ecstasy of this center. Thus, it may be called The Nameless. Only when in the breathless state of consciousness, humans may experience the nature of this center. Associated color: violet

The Medulla
The Medullary Center is the location of the conscious energy that pervades all of creation, both the physical and non-physical realms. When a human is focused on the temptations of creation and sensual experiences, this center and the third eye cannot be experienced. Until one is practicing techniques to focus the attention on this deeper, non-material experience, this center may be called The Inaccessible. Associated color: indigo

The Five Manifesting-Energies

Beyond listing the basic attributes of the lower five subtle energy centers, some additional information about the nature of the manifesting-energy associated with each center is included. In the current, ascending Bronze Age, humankind masters the five distinct energies that create the illusion of space. These manifesting-energies reside in the lower five subtle energy centers. They also correspond to the five senses. Each energy manifests three separate qualities. The three qualities of each energy are positive, negative and neutralizing. The positive subjective qualities are the instruments of sense. The neutralizing qualities are five abilities associated with each sense power. The negative qualities are the objects of the senses. Together these create a material reality of the illusion of space that has already occurred. Every human essentially lives in the past because they react to external events that have occurred and have been reported to the brain by the senses, RATHER THAN living in the now by withdrawing their consciousness. When the consciousness is focused within on the now, it may direct the senses and to create the external experience according to the degree of concentration and will the individual asserts. Average humans are like drivers in a vehicle who are asleep at the wheel. The car runs off the edge of the road waking the driver just enough to correct the course, until one day the driver can no longer regain any control. Only through conscious daily effort at concentration upon the experiences within, may anyone shift their life from a reactive external life to a proactive internally directed experience.

The Cervix
The Cervical Center is the gateway to subtle, non-physical realms. It is the doorway to spiritual experiences. The Songs of God are said to reside here

because when a materialistic human accesses this center through devoted prayer, deep concentration or a sudden reaction of extreme intensity the experience inspires awe. For the person who stumbles into this experience, it is called, The Incomprehensible. Every thing and being that has measurable mass and is subject to the five stages of the cycle of creation. These stages include birth, growth, application, maturity, rest. This center manifests the stage of rest in the cycles of physical manifestation. Traditional associated element: Ether Ether is the substance that pervades the fabric of physical creation. It is the most subtle of measurable physical elements. The closest thing that todays science has identified that is similar to the ancient classification of ether is the cosmic plasma that exists in the space between planets and other celestial bodies. Ether is the medium of light and sound. Ether allows the miracle of radio and television communication. The fine qualities behind this energy center manifest through the little toes on each foot and the pinkies on each hand. Associated sense: Hearing Hearing is the positive subjective sense associated with the Cervical Center. The neutral manifestation is articulation or speech. The negative quality is the object of hearing or Sound. Illustrated by: a circle enclosing many dots atomic movement Associated color: Blue Associated sound: Oceanic roar, rolling of thunder

The Dorsum
The Dorsal Center is the home of the Aum or Om vibration and of the magnetic heart known as the throne of the Creator. This is the center of maturity in the cycle of material manifestation. Common man in the Golden Age comprehends this center. During the Golden Age men are demigods because most have the ability to manipulate physical creation in ways thought to be impossible in the other ages. The average person understands base atomic matter, subtle energies and the applications of magnetism. Individuals are able to practically apply the relationships between their individualized conscious energy and matter.

Traditional associated element: Air Air and gases are substances that modify the vibrations of light and sound travelling through the ether in order to give them an initial tangible substance. Sound and light vibrations travel through the ether but air is required to activate the sense of touch on the ear drum that commonly acknowledges physical sound. The quality of this element manifests in the ring fingers. Associated sense: Touch Touch is the positive quality associated with the Dorsal Center. The neutral quality is motion. The negative quality and object of the sense is tactual sensation. Represented by: circular motion, whirlpools Associated color: Green Associated sound: A resounding bell, slow gong

The Lower Back

The Lumbar Center is the location of time. Time is the idea of change in the ever-unchangeable substance that creates the universe. This center manifests the stage of application in the cycles of physical manifestation. Common man in the Silver Age comprehends this center. The laws of magnetism and how to apply them consciously are revealed to all during this period. This is the center of Greed. Traditional associated element: Fire Fire represents physical energy, not only combustion, but also heat. This element manifests in the long middle fingers. Associated sense: Sight Sight is the positive quality associated with the Lumbar Center. Its neutral quality is generation and the negative object of sight is the illusion of form and color. Represented by: conical form, fire Associated color: Yellow

Associated sound: Harp, Stringed Instruments

The Sacrum
The Sacral Center is the location of space, the idea of division in the everindivisible. This center manifests the stage of growth in the cycles of physical manifestation. Common man in the Bronze Age comprehends this center. Man acknowledges and grows to completely understand subtle energies like electricity and radiation during this age. This is the center of Anger. Traditional associated element: Water Water represents all fluids. Fluidity is the transition from solid to a gaseous state. Manifests through the index fingers. Associated sense: Taste Taste is the positive quality. The neutral quality of this sense is absorption and the negative object of taste is the experience of flavor and texture or fluidity. Represented by: semi-circular, ocean waves Associated color: Orange Associated sound: Flute

The Coccyx
The Coccygeal Center is the home of the atom. This is the the home of gross physical manifestation. This center manifests the stage of birth in the cycles of physical manifestation. Common man in the Iron Age comprehends this center. His focus is on material substances only and he can barely perceive higher ideas of thought nor understand subtle energies like electricity. This is the center of Lust. Traditional associated element: Earth Earth represents solids. One way this element manifests is through the thumbs and big toes on the humans. Associated sense: Smell Smell is the positive subjective quality. The neutral quality of smell is excretion, or elimination. The negative object of sense is odor.

Represented by: angular particles Associated color: Red Associated sound: Bumble bee Together these seven centers compose the entire experience that the individualized conscious energy of each human may experience while incarnate.

An Open Heart
Only an open heart can guide the seeker successfully through the expansion of enlightenment. When one becomes enlightened, he gains wisdom. Wisdom is knowing what you need to know, when you need to know it. Wisdom is communicated through intuition and not through the intellect. The intellect uses limited material terms and observations in an attempt to describe the nondescript. Intuition funnels the perception of the infinite into the limitations of the moment. The heart is the funnel, or the center of expression for intuition. The heart feels good or bad and can direct one to the correct action regardless of external indications. The hearts intuition is different from conscience because conscience lies with the intellect where it incorporates temporal standards or norms. Nearly all children begin life with an open heart. However, life brings painful experiences. In an attempt to decrease the repetition of painful experiences, the intellect places increasingly severe limitations on the heart over time. These limitations create such strong walls that psychologists have noted most people are established in their habits, personality and life outlook by age 25. Adults seeking enlightenment must make a conscious effort to reopen their heart and to remove any blockages. Growth is not possible when intellectual walls and rational decisions have ruled out new possibilities. I dont do that, and I cant understand those who do, are common phrases spoken by adults imprisoned by the intellect. When the seeker allows the intellect and not the heart to guide personal growth with the hoped for outcome of increasing happiness, he will be disappointed. The intellect leads to less desirable conclusions, because it is

attached to temporary external things and experiences. The hearts intuition however, comes from within. Permanent happiness and increased understanding are only found within. Everyone can open their heart and reawaken their intuition in just a few minutes each day. Sit, stay alert, and focus on the movements of the physical breath with unbroken concentration. Do not try to control the breath. In a short amount of time, this simple concentration technique bring peace, joy and clear intuition.

Religions Right Purpose

The correct role of any religion is to inspire the seeker to discover their own true being and destiny. This role is fulfilled through external rituals, rules and support systems that help one to avoid greater ignorance while also providing specific techniques to awaken ones personal intuition and expand ones own consciousness. They enter into the blinding darkness of ignorance whose spiritual life is confined within the formalities of rituals only; but into still greater darkness of ignorance do those fall whose minds remain absorbed in the theoretical knowledge of spiritual idealism and truth. He who has combined the practice of rituals and the wisdom of pureconsciousness in his spiritual life, by the practice of rituals, transcends the subjective limitations of sensory impressions, and, by the illumination of pure-consciousness, realizes the bliss and immortality of the absolute Self. Isha Upanishad, verses 9 & 11, translation by Swami Premananda Unfortunately, when surveying the practitioners of various religions today, there appear to be only the two kinds described in verse 9 of the Isha Upanishad quoted above. First, there are those absorbed in the ritual only. This includes a large percentage of well-intentioned individuals who perform service in the hope of some reward. But service without an inner connection is just another worldly action and will only produce the related worldly results. Second, there are those who intellectually understand the purpose of rituals and even identify with specific long-term goals, like love others as you love yourself. Yet, because these individuals have not opened their inner life and understood the difference between understanding an ideal and living an ideal, they are even more ignorant than those who perform simple, helpful acts of service. For example, individuals who volunteer regularly at the food bank or ushering in their church may be considered more successful at proper living than the

businessman who makes a one-time million dollar donation but rarely practices selfless service to his employees and customers. In other words, the one who intellectually understands the ideal but fails to live it, is more lost than one who lives a serviceful life by habit. Both types should learn to live life with greater, intuitive understanding that comes from a deepening connection to Spirit. Pure consciousness or unfailing intuition is directly awakened by techniques that reveal the nature of the Self. Finding out who you are is the first step in living a successful life. Without this inner awareness, one remains ignorant and is unable to achieve peace, love and bliss in their own life. The social rituals of religions without the inner component of awareness are limited by the ignorance of the entire group. Several concentration techniques awaken pure consciousness. Most techniques offered by religions today involve devotion to a specific founder or object important to the religion. However all techniques require singlepointed, unbroken concentration for success. The best technique to awaken pure consciousness is to simply observe the breath. Watching the breath is not banned by any religion and does not conflict with any dogma. The physical breath sticks pure consciousness into the muck of physical living. By regularly observing the breath, the student slowly increases the understanding of how the eternal, inner consciousness became bound to temporal, external experiences and things. So try it. Give it a real effort for a couple of weeks. Sit still with your spine erect. Observe your breath for just twenty minutes a day. Dont try to control your breath. If you mind wanders, just bring it back to watching the breath. Do this daily and you will begin to understand how to prioritize the duties in your life as well as how to experience greater peace.

Live Life to the Fullest!

Man should desire to live the full measure of his life in this world; but he must do so by the performance of his duties, always with the ideal of selfperfection. Thus, his mind will not become a slave to sensory impressions. There is no path other than this to attain self-liberation. Isha Upanishad, Verse 2, translation by Swami Premananda The purpose of life is to discover the true nature of your being: peace, love and bliss. To achieve this purpose one fulfills his duties achieving the highest ideal he understands and is able to act on.

Once the seeker becomes consistent in his inner life, the Upanishads confirm what dogmas may seem to contradict. Too often value is placed on external renunciation in the spiritual life without being taught how to sever the inner attachments. Giving up the physical presence of things or people, while still longing for those same items is pointless. Even though a period of physical separation may be required to weaken ones mental attachment, outer renunciation is not the goal. Weve incarnated in human form. Not only do we have strong, physical human desires and attachments, but we also have duties. Duties are laws that we must fulfill in order to progress. For example, everyone has a duty to provide some service to others. We also have a duty to maximize our learning experiences. Renunciation does not mean running away to an isolated location and trying to concentrate on ideals and meditate non-stop without applying this growth to actual activities. If that was your sole purpose in life, you wouldnt need a human form. However, the dos and donts of religious dogmas are necessary for those who have not yet developed the inner life. Do seek and follow the ways that expand your consciousness and love, but dont behave in ways that decrease your understanding while binding your happiness to a few people and things. The opposites of duality exist and it is better to focus on the positive end of pole to increase chances of success. Following the deeds that lead to the negative end of the pole may lead to premature death, excessive disease, and other inharmonies that prevent the seeker from fulfilling the purpose of life. Once you have rekindled the inner life, what you do is less important than how you do it. Embrace life as it is. Simplify it. Enjoy good and bad with equanimity. The only perfection any human can ever know or express is non-attachment. Being attuned within regardless of how imperfect the external expression is the way to embrace life to the fullest while also achieving liberation.