Illuminating the Vedic Sciences

The term Vedic means from the Vedas. The Vedas are the books that contained the Spiritual hymns and the storehouse of knowledge that arose from the ancient culture that was located in the area of what is now called India. The culture at that time was called Bharat, The great and famous story Mahabharata means Great Bharat. The Bhagavad Gita is from the MahaBharata. The term Veda means knowledge. Actually it refers to the knowledge of truth, absolute truth, the truth of the Self and the underlying mysteries of existence. The Vedas were written as the ancient Sat Yuga or Age of Wisdom was coming to a close. These documents were meant to preserve the wisdom of this earlier enlightened epoch in human history. Many cultures seemed to possess similar occult knowledge, the Toltecs and Egyptians and Native Americans, yet it was the ancients of this area who best preserved this wisdom. It is estimated that the Vedas are more than 5,000 years old, based on Astronomical references in them. The miracle in the Vedic system is how well preserved and coherent the Sciences are, especially given the history of India and its numerous invasions. There are many Vedic Sciences: Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic Astrology are the ones we will mainly study in this course. Ayurveda - Ayurveda literally means The science of living. It is the classical medical system of India, its natural healing system. Ayurveda is also the Science of matter, called Prakriti. Vedic Astrology - Vedic Astrology is the ancient Astrological Science set forth in the Vedas. It is the Science of our karma, the Science of Spirit, called Purusha, and its affect on matter. Yoga - Yoga literally means union. It is the practical application of all Vedic teachings. It is the spiritual work of dissolving our egoistic drives into the cosmic will. The 5 Elements Building Blocks of the Vedic Sciences
The Self has entered this body, this dense jumble. If a man finds him, recognizes him, Hes the maker of everythingthe author of all! The world is his-hes the world itself. - Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

Spirit is called Purusha. When spirit takes form it is called prakriti. Every object as prakriti is an expression of purusha. Matter expressing Spirit. This world of Matter expressing Spirit is formed by the 5 elements. They are the building blocks of The Vedic Sciences. Their properties provide the archetypes that underpin all aspects of Vedic thinking. First we will examine the 5 elements then explore their evolution as affected by the 3 gunas, (the 3 qualities of nature) and relative to Ayurveda, the medical system of India. Starting with the grossest and moving toward the finest, the 5 elements are: Earth Water Fire Air - Ether (space) Lets look deeper:

Earth (Annamaya Kosha) BODY. As the densest element it is also the heaviest and weightiest psychological influence. Our physical body demands the most attention when its needs arise. For example no matter how enjoyable it may be talking to your best friend on the phone, you will only suppress the urge to go to the bathroom for so long before you relent. Earth connects us to the sense of smell. Ayurveda says, anything we can smell contains Earth. Psychologically Speaking the Earth element is our practical nature. Literally being down to Earth. Strong Earth types are hands on. They want to be useful and will work hard. They are practical in expression. They will wash your car on your birthday. Too much Earth brings stagnation and clinging to form. Water (Pranamaya kosha) SENSES. Specifically to the flow of the senses from the physical body to the outer world and the connections and impressions made through the senses. It is on this vital level that our energy must connect to the environment in order to satisfy our bodily needs. (Earth) We see a chocolate clair in the window of a Bakery and our mouth starts to water. Water connects us to the sense of taste. Ayurveda says that anything we can taste contains water. Psychologically the Water element has to do with our deep emotional bonds, memories and sensory impressions. Strong water types can be the most emotional, even psychic of signs. They will cook you dinner on your birthday. Too much water can lead to excessive emotion / emotional dependence. Fire (Manamaya kosha) MIND. Fire element corresponds to digestion of all sorts, food, mental impressions. It is also our emotional mind. The emotional mind mainly refers to our passionate nature and the instinctual and conditioned / reactive mind. It is the element of fire that digests sensory impressions, (water) turning them into thoughts that we can use. Otherwise our minds would be a jumble of sensory data. Fire connects us to the sense of sight. Ayurveda says anything we can see is touched by fire. Psychologically Fire represents our desire nature. We literally burn to satisfy our desires. It is fire that makes us want the chocolate clair in the window. Fire signs will exhibit an active, bold or aggressive nature. Strong fire types can the most inspirational of signs, yet also the most self centered. They will buy you sexy underwear or wear them for you on your birthday. Too much fire can lead to excessive anger. Air (Vijnanamaya Kosha) INTELLECT. Air element corresponds to movement of all sorts, in the body, breath, thoughts, etc. Air is our higher intellectual and social mind. It is the mind of our philosophies and opinions our politics and rationalizations as well as how we relate to others and society as a whole. It is through the air element the we observe and interact socially with the world and others and form conclusions about them and ourselves. Air connects us to the sense of touch. Anything we can feel is touched by Air. Psychologically Air represents our higher mental capabilities, as well as our conscience and ethical principles. Strong Air types will generally exhibit a very social nature. They like discourse and debate. They will take you to the Opera on your birthday. Too much air and one becomes ungrounded, aloof, dry or sterile. Ether (Anandamaya Kosha) CONSCIOUSNESS. The ether element corresponds to pure consciousness itself. Our awareness. It is the layer of being beyond the 4 gross physical elements. It refers to the witnessing

consciousness, that which is able to perceive the thought process and remain unidentified with it. It is our connection to freedom and the closest to our true Self and our intuitive nature. Ether connects us to the sense of sound. Ayurveda says that it is through sound that we perceive space. Psychologically Ether represents an initial freedom from the mind/ body complex. It is through the element of ether that we perceive the distance between the thinking / feeling mind substance and the oneness of creation and our connectedness to it. The behavioral archetype is that of one who is detached in a healthy way, as the observer, the witness. But Ether does not represent our physical karma. The 5 Elements at Work Each finer element contains, observes and animates the grosser ones. In this way and for this reason, the primordial sound of Aum is the first act of creation. Its resonance through the element of Ether begins the dance of creation out of the equilibrium that exists before. (Sound resonates through Ether) After Ether, the Air element is formed, then Fire, Water, and Earth. This is why mantras are so powerful. They resonate through all 5 of our elemental bodies. (Mantras are sacred sounds repeated over and over again) Life is created from the finer elements to the grosser ones. However, our spiritual path is walked in reverse. First we must master the body, (Earth) then the senses, (Water) the emotions, (Fire) the intellect (Air) then finally pure consciousness. (Ether) When we see a chocolate clair, the physical body (Earth) is animated by the senses. (Water) The desire to eat it arises in the reactive / instinctual mind (Fire), but the higher mind (Air) actually decides whether or not to eat the clair. Our consciousness (Ether) makes us aware of this process. In Hatha Yoga, asanas (postures) are designed to balance the 5 elements in this way. Earth: holding the posture stabilizes and relaxes the body. Water: A stable, relaxed body stabilizes the emotions and the senses. Fire: Stable emotions allow mental peace and removes desire and motivation. Air: Once struggling stops, perceptions clear and the mind can enter the present moment. Ether: Once perceptions become clear and mind is present, conscious and blissful awareness fills the being. One rests in their true nature. Hatha yoga prepares the mind and body for meditation. In meditation we connect to our deeper self and balance the 5 elements in this way. We connect to universe (ether) through the breath. (air) Deep breath slows, deepens and stabilizes the mind and emotions. (fire) With the passions controlled we can observe the senses and emotions, (water) with detachment. Then the body becomes stable. (earth) A stable body in meditation is one of awareness. Since we started with breath connecting to ether, higher consciousness will be observing the thoughts and mind / body events. Karma and the 5 Elements

According to Vedic thought everything is an expression of pure God energy, pure God consciousness. All physical bodies arise out of this balanced God state. But as a result of past karma and the samsaras (mental impressions) that accompany them, the 5 elements arrange themselves to create the body that reflects the appropriate person, animal, or whatever. This karmic energy points to the lessons that need to be learned in that lifetime. For example, a person who needs to work through anger problems in this lifetime will inherit a body, mind and upbringing that will challenge them to confront their anger and hopefully transcend it. In the case of anger, the element of fire will likely predominate. An Astrological chart reveals these energetics. It is a portrait of the souls karma. The true Self is the unmanifest state of energy and peace, in balance, without qualities, karmas and samsaras. At the heart of all beings and all matter is this pure energy. Each being is unique based on it past, the lessons it has learned and the ones it must still learn, yet all beings are at their essence, pure Spirit. The 3 Gunas In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains about the nature of Maya, in Ch.14 v.5 Sattva or goodness, Rajas or activity, and Tamas or inertia; these three Gunas of mind bind the imperishable soul to the body, O Arjuna. The 3 gunas are the 3 qualities of nature. The term Guna means that which binds, as each guna is like a separate strand, which when placed together form the rope of Maya. They are what bind us to the illusion that we are merely a physical / mental creature. All matter and energy consists of the 3 gunas in different quantities. Theirs are the component qualities of the physical, mental and spiritual worlds. The 3 Gunas are: Tamas: Stability inertia - ignorance attachment. Tamas binds through inertia and our tendency to cling to situation and form. Best expressed through the physical body Rajas: Activity passion - desire. Rajas binds through motivation and our desire to experience pleasure. Best expressed as the Mind and Emotions Sattwa: Harmony - knowledge peace. Sattwa binds us to worldly happiness, which also ultimately becomes a barrier to final liberation. Best expressed as the Soul. Each of the gunas has a proper and necessary function. Tamas provides the solidity and stability of the physical world, for us that means our bodies. Solid objects have a preponderance of Tamas, especially when at rest. Rajas maintains the mind and emotions, animating the physical world through need and preference. When the body needs to eat or move Rajas gets us moving. Sattwa looks after the higher mind and Soul and its progress. But each of these attributes also act as obscuring factors as their expressions show our projected illusory limitations, thus forming the rope of Maya. When Tamas becomes a mental or emotional state, the intellect becomes stagnant and there is clinging and ignorance. Also an excessively Rajasic body will bring exhaustion

and instability. Neither Rajas nor Tamas is healthy for higher learning. Higher learning requires a Sattwic mind. If suddenly you become sleepy as you read this you would stop learning, as the heaviness of Tamas would disrupt. If suddenly you became hungry or sexual or angry, also you would stop learning, as Rajas would compel you to act and disturb the mental peace necessary for learning. All beings are under the sway of the 3 gunas, even enlightened beings. The difference is enlightened beings are not identified with the gunas. A Saint will generally exhibit a harmonious, balanced and peaceful nature, those things associated with Sattwa. Yet the Saint will be established in the Self, not identified with the qualities of Sattwa. Saints have a preponderance of Sattwa. Humans have a preponderance of Rajas Animals and other Subhuman creatures have a preponderance of Tamas. To illustrate how the gunas typically work, this morning, as your alarm clock went off there was a preponderance of Tamas. Your body and mind were heavy and perhaps you had just mistaken yourself in a dream as being your real self. Sleep, inertia, and delusion are Tamasic. As you started to become motivated and got up from the bed, Rajas was dominant, as rajas is activity. Also, you need to go to work to earn money so you can have things that give you pleasure and that you enjoy. Worldly pursuits are mainly Rajasic in nature as they are primarily self - centered. Currently as you read this book, in search of knowledge and understanding beyond pleasure seeking and accumulation, Sattwa dominates. Most of the time we are Rajasic, striving towards Sattwa, trying not to be pulled down by Tamas. Our experiences take on the quality of the predominant guna. Even though waking from sleep is generally Tamasic, Saints, for example awaken is very sattwic way. Our spiritual practices or lack of them determine whether we are growing toward higher knowledge and harmony, descending into darkness and delusion or simply maintaining our outward desire driven existence. Either way, our true Self is always there, unspoiled and causeless, silently and peacefully existing beneath all actions and beyond the qualities of the gunas.

The 3 Gunas Meet the 5 elements

Element (Tamas) Earth Water Fire Air Space

Organ of action (Rajas) Sex organ Anus Feet Hand Vocal organ

Organ of knowledge (Sattwa) Nose Tongue Eye Skin Ear

Ayurveda and the 3 Doshas As was stated earlier, animating all creation is a state of pure energy awareness. It is beyond time space, it has no beginning or end, and no qualities. At the proper time, the dance of creation begins, animating the 5 elements and a physical body takes shape around the awakened spiritual energy. According to Ayurveda the resulting physical body has specific, observable qualities that are a mixture of the unique combination of each of the 5 elements. Every physical entity has a unique combination of elements in differing degrees. This combination of elements is called the prakriti. The prakriti has been further refined around 3 distinct archetypes based on the attributes of the 3 Middle elements: Kapha stability - related to Water and Earth Pitta metabolism - related to Fire and Water Vata motion - related to Air And Space Every cell must have some component of stability. (kapha) otherwise it would disintegrate. Every cell must have some metabolic function (Pitta) otherwise it could not grow and sustain. And every cell must have some motion (vata) otherwise it would be dead. Just as every cell has each of these qualities in some degree, every living being also has a combination of these 3 doshas. The combination is different for every plant animal and person. For example someones prakriti may be: 25% Vata 50% Pitta 25% Kapha giving them a predominance of Pitta Dosha. Not only does a persons predominant dosha indicate their physical body type and constitution, it also indicates what will be their main psychological attributes or imbalances. The term dosha actually means imbalance. As was stated earlier, it is a state of disequilibrium which caused our body to be created out of the pure harmony at the center of our being. Our purpose in life is to re connect to that natural state of harmony, to return to God, if you will. Ayurveda helps us to return to our natural God like state by teaching us how to see beyond, and eventually balance our doshas, our imbalances.

The 3 Doshas and the 5 Elements

Kapha (water / earth) - The Kapha Dosha is mainly Water, with a little Earth, as the Water is contained in the bodily tissues. (Earth) Body type: Like water, their skin is moist, and retains fluid easily. Body tissues are made of kapha, thus they have a heavy body. In nature, water and earth makes mud. The bodys mud is phlegm. Kapha types become congested the easiest. They are often the healthiest body type overall but they can have a tendency to diabetes later in life from having indulged in sweets. They are usually slow moving, yet steady. Positive Psychology: They are generally very pleasant to be around as the water element rules emotion. They can be passive and gentle in nature and tend to sentimentality and nurturing. They are slow to get started with things, but once a task is begun they have the most endurance of all the doshas. Most Kapha types love to cook, and eat! Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes from too much Earth damning up their emotional flow. They are the most stubborn of all dosha types and can tend to depression, denial, passive aggression and attachment. Often times they will try to make due in the most difficult of situations for fear of changing them. Denying problems even exist as they cling to destructive patterns they are stuck in. Sometimes the hardest thing for a kapha type to do is analyze a situation objectively. As they lack the opposite element of ether. This is the first step toward positive change. They can be unwilling to acknowledge a problem even exists.

Pitta (fire / water) The Pitta dosha is mainly Fire and a little Water, as the bodies Fire is contained in the hot fluids. (Water) Body type: Like fire, their bodies will be warm, with a rosy complexion. They will be of medium build with well - developed muscles. They are usually focused and persistent with sharp penetrating eyes and voices. Pitta is the digestive force in the body, which functions through the bile and acidic digestive fluid. They tend to have heart attacks, high blood pressure and hypertension from overexertion and trying to do too much. Positive Psychology: They are passionate, gregarious, playful and warm, with keen intellects and sharp minds. They are born leaders. They are courageous, driven and ambitious as well as logical and very direct. Although they may tend to argue, they are usually right in their assertions. They digest thoughts as effectively as they digest their food.

Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes from not enough water (emotion) and too much passion. With their strong digestion comes a strong appetite and desire nature and a tendency to do too much. These things can deplete their energy. Sex, success, sports, you name it, they want it all and they want to win. They can be overly competitive and aggressive, self centered, resorting to criticizing and blaming others for their problems. Their basic combative nature is their most destructive trait, which if not reconciled, can lead them to hostility anger and violence.

Vata (air / ether) The Vata dosha is formed by Air and some Ether, as Air is contained and moves through Ether. Body type: Like air moving through space, their bodies will usually be light, dry and thin. They can be of a pale complexion with veins clearly visible. Their skin tends to be cold like the wind. Vata is the bodys motion, thus Vata types will move quickly and usually speak rapidly and often. They are generally flexible yet in pain with joints that crack. They are prone to arthritis and other drying conditions. Positive Psychology: They are flexible and creative, communicative and sensitive. They are very adaptable and curious. As being ruled by Air (the mind) and Space (consciousness) they are naturally attuned to the vibrations around them and the most open and sensitive of all doshas. Their perceptions can lead to remarkable breakthroughs. They are the least ego centric of the doshas. Negative Psychology: Their negative psychology comes mainly from too much Ether element. When Vata becomes deranged these natives become very ungrounded which leads them into fear, nervousness, anxiety even paranoia. Extreme vata types can turn ordinary life situations into a series of insoluble problems in which they feel trapped. This leads to more stress and problems to analyze over and over again. Their constant mental worry leads to a deeper and deeper disconnect from their bodies, as a lack of the Earth element, and their true nature. Balancing the Doshas Until the point where we have traveled far along on the spiritual path, our responses to unexpected situations will be fear based. Fear being an unbalanced state, we will exhibit the qualities of our predominant

dosha, our predominant imbalance. One of the quick tests that you can do to figure out your predominant dosha type is to ask yourself. When faced with a new and challenging situation do I: A. Become anxious, worried or frightened (Vata) B. Become argumentative, even angry (Pitta) C. Deny that anything is wrong or try to make peace (Kapha) There is no wrong answer or better dosha. Each has a lesson to teach and 2 lessons to learn. (the other 2 doshas!) There are times when it is best to flee in fear, (vata) fight with courage (pitta) or be a peacemaker, (kapha) but usually we are acting out of our deep unconscious programming, not through any balanced sense of wisdom and clarity. A common analogy compares the 3 doshas to animals. Kapha is a turtle, Pitta is a bull and Vata is a rabbit Kapha type Kapha is Water and Earth Water is cool, Earth is heavy and unmoving with a lot of mass. So hot and lighter foods and less of it are best for them. Fasting is good, so are stimulating spices to get them moving. Even black tea or caffeinated beverages may be prescribed. Pitta type Pitta is mainly Fire Fire is hot and dry and variable in motion. Pitta types need cool, moist heavier food. Nourishing but cooling, heavy oils and grains help to put out their fire. They can digest almost anything so they do not need help with digestion, but no stimulants or hot spices. Vata types Vata is Air and Ether Air and Ether are light, dry and cold. Vata types need heavy, grounding food that is moist and warm. They also need to eat smaller meals but more frequently because of their weak digestion. Some spices can be used to stimulate their poor digestion.

Yoga Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

1. Yoga means Union reuniting the individual with the cosmic whole from which he comes so right away Maharishi Patanjali states that the term yoga is a union of the individual with the cosmic whole. 2. Yoga is restraining the activities of the Mind the mind includes all mental activities, emotions, thoughts, dreams, etc. The mind per se is part of the Astral body, not the physical body. The astral body is that which goes with you from life to life. It contains the record of all that you have done in all past lives. It is the Astral Body whose message is seen through the planetary forces on the chakras. It shows the evolution of your soul. It is the filter through which we take in sensory impressions and act in accordance with. It shows the ego the intellect primal urges - This mind creates vrittis in Sanskrit. The vrittis are formed primarily by our sensory intake and the desires they cause. They are essentially our thoughts. Our thoughts are extremely powerful. They are the most powerful aspect of our being. As we act on these vrittis we create what are called Samakaras. Samskaras are patterns that we fall into. Thought patterns that compel us on a very deep level. There are negative and positive Samskaras. Our Samskaras show the routines in which we are stuck. It is because the same grooves are being played over and over in the mind. Of course, there are also positive Samskaras positive thoughts and actions which lead to positive results. With each vritti we have the option of either cooperating with it and proceeding into desire through it which may form a Samskara or we can observe it, discard it and not cooperate. Discrimination is needed to decide whether a vritti is beneficial to our spiritual development, or harmful to it. Ex. You start a new job. The first day after work as you are walking to the bus you pass a bakery. You see a chocolate clair in the window. You can smell the bakery, so inviting. The vritti is formed in the mind Id like to eat that clair. so you buy it. That night after dinner, you eat that clair. It is good. So the next day your walking home again what pops in your head as you pass the bakery?,.. another clair lets say you buy one again, 2 days in a row,.. the more you cooperate, the harder it is to stop. 3. At that time, when the thought waves are stilled, the perceiver rests in his own true nature. So once we learn to quiet the clamor of the senses we are able to see and hear and experience our own true nature. It was there the whole time. It never left and it will never leave. Yoga is the process of peeling back the layers of identification. 4 Paths of Yoga The Yoga of Synthesis

There are 4 main paths of yoga. The 4 paths of yoga relate to the 5 elements thus: Karma Yoga (Earth) Transforms the ego through selfless service Bhakti Yoga (Water) Transforms the emotions through devotion

Raja Yoga (Fire) Scientifically transforms the organism through technique and discpline Jnana Yoga (Air) Develops discrimination and recognizing deeper truth In ancient times a person would study only 1 path of yoga for an entire lifetime, but in todays world in secular society and in many Ashrams around the world the Yoga of Synthesis is practiced, which includes All 4 Paths. Each of the 4 main yogas that comprise the Yoga of Synthesis helps in a different way to ultimately bring the mind under control. Each of the Yogas works best on certain personality types and they build on each other like the foundation of a house. Karma Yoga is the foundation of Yoga. It teaches selfless service and thinking of others before thinking of yourself. It is good for those of an active, physical nature and temperament. It sublimates and transforms aggression and selfishness. It helps to crush the ego and the runaway sense of self - importance. Those who are emotionally disconnected from themselves and others are encouraged to do Karma Yoga. Serve others and the heart will open up. Karma yoga develops surrender of the ego. Once the heart has opened, the emotions must be turned toward the divine rather than the mundane if one is to ultimately still the mind. For those of an emotional temperament Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion is very useful in sublimating the scattered and flux like nature of the emotions. Through prayer, Chanting, singing Kirtan, and by doing Pujas (ceremonial offerings) the emotions become elevated into devotion and one pointed-ness. Bhakti Yoga develops devotion to a higher power. Once the emotions start to become manageable, then one is ready for Raja Yoga, which is probably the most comprehensive of the paths. Raja Yoga is the scientific path as it scientifically transforms the mind and emotions through a comprehensive lifestyle approach. It includes: Yamas (restraints) truth nonviolence celibacy - non stealing non coveted ness Niyamas (observances) austerities - purity - contentment - study of scriptures - ego surrender Asanas (postures) - Comfortable, steady pose Pranayama - control of the vital energy. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses from the objects of their affection Dharana - concentration. (leads to meditation) Dhyana - meditation. (thoughtless awareness) Samadhi - The Super conscious state

The true underpinnings of Raja Yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas, just as the foundation of All of the Yogas is Karma Yoga. It is certainly possible to make spiritual progress by ignoring the Yamas and Niyamas, but once followed, Raja Yoga can light up your life. Raja Yoga develops self - discipline. Then as one walks deeper and deeper into the path of Raja yoga, they will encounter Jnana Yoga. Jnana Yoga is only truly entered into when the awareness of the individual has reached a point through deep sadhana (spiritual practice / meditation) where the very fundamental questions of existence arise in their psyche. However the study of Vedanta (the philosophy behind yoga) is also a part of Jnana Yoga. According to Vedanta the nature of external existence through the senses is illusory. (Maya) Our bodies are temporary abodes of the divine through which we are to learn the lesson that we are God. Our illusion of separateness from each other, God and existence is the basic cause of suffering, not certain specific facts from this life. Until we merge the individual self with the cosmic self, we will continue to re incarnate on this material plane. (The Law of Karma) This line of inquiry is certainly valuable at any stage. Jnana Yoga develops discrimination. The 4 main Yogas take into account all personality types and temperaments. Each individual will be more drawn to one of the main yogas as opposed to another. However one should integrate all 4 into their daily routines so as to achieve harmony and develop weaknesses. A person who is naturally more intellectual may be very drawn to Jnana Yoga with its profound philosophy, yet if they do no karma or Bhakti yoga they will just be reduced to a dry intellect. A Jana yogi must continue to develop devotion. And of course vice versa for Bhakti Yogis, they must develop discrimination otherwise the emotions can take over. Hatha Yoga The term Hatha Yoga means literally uniting the Sun and Moon. The Sun and Moon rule the 2 petals of the Ajna Chakra, The Third Eye as it is commonly called. The Third Eye is located in between the 2 eyebrows. It corresponds with the mysterious pineal gland in the body. To unite the Sun and Moon Hatha Yogis use Yoga asanas, pranayama and different locks or bandhas, which create pressure at different points to unite prana (upward force) with upana (downward force) at the Third eye center. The Sun is the prana, the Moon is the apana. These Hatha Yoga techniques stimulate different energy centers (chakras) eventually leading to awakening the Kundalini shakti. (the dormant energy at the base of the spine) It is the force of kundalini that opens our chakras and eventually reaches the third eye. Below is a standard Hatha Yoga routine. Notice the chakras stimulated. Asana Chakra

Headstand Shoulderstand Plough (Halasana) Fish (Matsyasana) Forward bend (Paschimothanasana) Cobra (Bhujangasana) Locust (Salabhasana) Bow (Dhanurasana) Muladhara) Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana) Peacock pose (Mayurasana) Standing forward bend (Pada Hasthasana) Triangle (Trikonasana)

Third Eye Throat (Visuddha) Throat Heart All Lower All Lower All Lower

(Ajna) (Visuddha (Anahata)

(Manipura Swadisthana Muladhara) (Manipura Swadisthana Muladhara) (Manipura Swadisthana Muladhara) (Manipura Swadisthana

All Lower All Lower

(Manipura Swadisthana Muladhara)

For strength and balance For Flexibility For Flexibility

Hatha Yogis do such an Asana routine everyday. The yoga asanas open the conduits of energy in the physical body, as well as stimulate the chakras. Each chakra corresponds to a gland in the endocrine system. The endocrine system helps to purify the body, flushing toxins from the system. Chakra Third Eye Throat Heart Navel Sex Root Gland Thalamus, Para Thalamus, Pineal Thyroid, Parathyroid Thymus Spleen Sexual Glands Adrenal

As well as purifying the physical body, Hatha yogis purify the Astral body by doing pranayama. Pranayama literally means control of the vital energy. It is done to purify the Astral tubes through which prana flows. These Astral tubes are called nadis. There are approximately 72,000 Nadis in the Astral body. They correspond to the nerves in the nervous system and the meridians in Chinese medicine. A Chakra is a plexus of nadis. Among the 72,00 Nadis there are 3 main ones, the Ida, (left) the Pingala, (right) and the Shushumna. (center) When prana enters the central canal (Shushumna Nadi) the kundalini is awakened and the first knot (Brahma Granthi) is opened at the Root Chakra. (Muladhara Chakra) The Ida and Pingala Nadis correspond to the Left and Right nostril. The Right nostril is the active, hot, solar aspect of the breath and the Left is the receptive, cool, lunar aspect. Breath only enters through one nostril

at a time, alternating every 1 2 hours. The practice of Analoma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing) is how the Yogi purifies the nadis. It is done by sealing off alternating nostrils during inhale and exhale then retaining the breath in between. The process is: seal off right nostril with thumb - 1. Inhale left 4 counts retain 16 counts. 2. Exhale right 8 counts inhale right 4 counts retain right 6 counts. 3. Exhale left 8 counts then repeat from step 1. This is one round of Analoma Viloma. It is usually done in rounds of 10 at least once a day. While retaining the breath in Analoma Viloma the Yogi will also apply different bhandas. (locks) The 3 main locks are the Anal lock (Mula bhanda) the Abdominal lock (Uddiyana Bandha) and the Chin Lock. (Jalandhara bhanda) These three bandhas Uddiyana, Jalandhara and Mula Bandha from one group called Bandha Traya (The Lock Trinity). Counting is done using the mantra, ex: Om Namah Sivaya (a siva mantra) can be mentally recited to a count of 4 Inhale mentally repeating the mantra once (4 counts) retain saying the mantra 4 times (16 counts) exhale the mantra 2 times. (8 counts) While doing Analoma Viloma the yogi will sit in Padmasana. Padmasana is a cross - legged posture in which the heel is firmly placed on the perineum, the spot between the genitals and the anus, applying pressure there. This is also the spot where mula bhanda is applied and the seat of the kundalini, so mastery over this asana is crucial to an advanced practice. The previously mentioned Yoga Asanas are designed to build the strength, flexibility and discipline necessary in the mind and body to allow one to sit in padmasana for long periods of time.

Divine Bliss State Cancer

Divine Bliss State Leo

SAHASRARA - Transcendence, Inspiration

AJNA CHAKRA SUN AND MOON - Active AUM Awareness, Higher Will

Gemini

Virgo

VISUDDHA CHAKRA MERCURY ETHER HAM Thinking, Communication,detachment - hearing

Taurus

Libra

ANAHATA CHAKRA VENUS AIR YAM Harmony, Love, Joy, Pleasure - touch

Aries

Scorpio

MANIPURA CHAKRA MARS FIRE RAM Personal Power, Strength, focus sight

Pisces

Sagittarius

SWADISTHANA CHAKRA JUPITER - WATER -VAM Expansion, Procreation - taste

Aquarius

Capricorn

MULADHARA CHAKRA SATURN EARTH - LAM Structure, Grounding, Limitation, - smell

Vedic Astrological Chart And the Chakras

The Chart to the left is a South Indian Vedic Astrological chart. This chart reveals Vedic Astrology to be the study of the Souls Karma as shown through the Chakras. An Astrology chart is a portrait of the Chakras. The 2 right Middle squares are the fields of the Sun and Moon, which operate through the signs of Leo and Cancer respectively, and through the Ajna Chakra. Bordering those squares are the 2 signs of Mercury, which operate through the Visuddha Chakra, one chakra down from the Ajna. Bordering the signs of Mercury, the signs of Venus, and through the rest of the Zodiac.

Differences Between Eastern and Western World View

Western Material View On Man as a Creature in the World We are a physical body first and fore most, a mental body second, there is no rational or verifiable proof of the existence of a Soul or operating force behind mind and body, many disbelieve its existence. Why we inherit the circumstances of our lives is not explained or understood. On the True God: One God one true religion those who accept this one God will receive his grace, those who dont will suffer, perhaps even in eternal hell. God is both loving and wrathful.
On Knowing God: It is presumptuous for man to proclaim to know God. The linchpin of religion is not experience of God directly, but belief in his existence and faith in the teachings of his messenger. Only Gods messenger truly knows God. On Mans Plight: Mans suffering is due to disobedience and failure to adhere to Gods will and a non - acceptance of Gods laws. (Commandments) Man is inherently bad or wicked and in need of salvation; otherwise he will do wicked things.

Eastern Spiritual View On Man as a Creature in the World We are Spiritual creatures first and foremost, having a human experience in this lifetime. This Spiritual nature is the primary force, which operates the grosser layers of mind and body. The circumstances we inherit in our lives are based on our Souls karma. On the True God: Everything is God, including man. Religions are simply spiritual paths that ultimately arrive at the same goal. God is pure love pure knowledge and all - powerful. It is our misunderstanding of this that brings pain.
On Knowing God: Each person is capable of knowing God and will come to this knowledge through a direct experience, in communion with their deeper selves. Knowledge of God is commensurate to Self - Knowledge as we are all God. On Mans Plight: Our suffering is due to our karma. This karma comes from attachment to the limited effects of our actions. This attachment is the result of Self- forgetfulness, not wickedness. As we mature, we reclaim our inherent goodness.

On Virtue and Salvation: If one obeys Gods laws for a moral and ethical life and believes in Gods messenger as the agency of salvation, eternal happiness is assured in the afterlife. On the origin of Religion: Religion has a historical beginning with a prophet or an event in the past. From this past event, a future afterlife becomes a central theme. Time and history are linear and never repeated.

On Virtue and Salvation: Virtuous conduct and right beliefs are the foundation for a Spiritual life and the first step in purification. These are necessary for a mystical communion with God to occur. On the origin of Religion: Religion is cosmic, transcending human history. Emphasis is placed on here and now, so as to experience ourselves as God directly. Time is circular and permeates many incarnations and lifetimes.