meditation

Eastern philosophy and medicine
originating in ancient India and China
have traditionally regarded body structures and the life processes occurring within as inseparable. Their terminology resides halfway between structure and function and identifies certain entities in the human body
representing the flow of life energy and
in some sense
conduits for that flow that do not correspond to anatomical structures recognized by Western science and medicine. The chakras are the energy centers in a person’s biological field and are responsible for his or her physiological and psychological condition as well as certain groups of organs. All vital functions of the human body are determined by energy that spins in the chakras. These can be defined as “whirlpools referred
” and in Indian
they are considered ”energy bursts” or “wheels.”

The process of energy transformation happens exactly in these centers. Vital energy
along with blood
circulates around the meridians in the chakras and fuels all organs and systems in the human body. When the circulation in these meridians stagnates
the human body becomes susceptible to various disorders. An excellent preventative method
designed explicitly to battle such stagnation is Chi Gun
an ancient Chinese method for self-healing which activates the energy centers. Chi Gun teaches people to release the energy themselves by massaging specific areas corresponding to the different chakras.

There are 49 chakras mentioned in the Vedic Canons
seven of which are basic; 21 are in the second circle
and 21 in the third circle. According to the Vedis
there are multiple energy channels leading to different locations from the chakras. Three of these channels are basic. The first one
called “shushumna
” is hollow and is concentrated in the spine. The other two energy pathways
“ida” and “pingala”
are located on either side of the spine. These two channels are the most active in most people
while “shushumna” remains stagnant.

The seven basic chakras spin at high speeds in the body of healthy individuals but slow down in times of sickness or with advancing age. When the body is in a harmonious balance
the chakras remain partially open. Closed chakras are unable to receive energy
leading to various disorders.

The first basic chakra
“Muladhara
” is located at the base of the spine in the tailbone area. Life energy
which is at the core of a strong and healthy immune system
is stored in this chakra. It is impossible for a person to become sick
old or even to die
before exhausting his or her reserves of this vital energy. The very will for life is controlled by Muladhara. It is also in charge of the bones and joints
the teeth
the nails
the urinogenital system and the large intestine. The first symptoms of a malfunctioning Muladhara are unreasonable fear
faintness
lack of security or faith in the future
leg and foot problems
and intestinal disorders.

The interrupted activity of the Muladhara chakra causes lack of energy
digestive problems
diseases of the bones and spine
and nervous tension among others.
The second chakra
“Svadhistana
” is located at the level of the sacrum
three or four fingers below the belly button. This chakra regulates the pelvis
the kidneys and sexual functions. We also feel other peoples’ emotions through this chakra. Symptoms of a malfunctioning “Svadhistana” are kidney problems
cystitis and arthritis.

The third chakra
“Manipura
” is found in the solar plexus area. This chakra is the center for storing and distributing energy produced by digestion and breathing. It is responsible for vision
the gastrointestinal system
the liver
the gall bladder
the pancreas and nervous system. Symptoms of a stagnant “Manipura” are as follows: increased and constant worrying
as well as stomach
liver and nervous disorders.

The fourth chakra
“Anahata
” also called the heart chakra
is located in the chest area. We generate and receive love through this chakra. It is in charge of the heart
the lungs
the bronchi
the hands and the arms. Symptoms of stagnation include depression and cardiovascular imbalances.

The fifth chakra
“Vishudha
” is located at the throat level and is the center of analytical skills and logic. This chakra sustains the skin
organs of hearing
along with the trachea and lungs. Symptoms include a lack of emotional stability
discomfort in the cervical spine
soar throats
difficulties communicating
and esophagus and thyroid ailments.

The sixth chakra
“Adjna
” is located between the eyebrows and is called the “third eye.” Here is the throne for the human brain. “Adjna” circulates energy to the head and pituitary gland and is also responsible for determining our harmonious development. If a person’s “third eye” ceases to function properly
one might notice a decrease in intellectual ability
headaches and migraines
earaches
olfactory illnesses
and psychological disorders.

The seventh chakra
“Sahasrara
” is found at the very top of the head and represents the apex where an individual’s energy vibrates with the highest frequency. It is considered a spiritual center and the entrance to the body for cosmic energy. A stagnant “Sahasrara” can result in a decrease in or lack of inner wisdom
as well as a lack of basic intuition.

With this basic knowledge of the first seven chakras
we can address the question: “How do we use this information to locate the causes of our troubles and problems
and with the help of Eastern Medicine
learn to control the functions of the chakras ourselves?”.

From the perspective of Eastern Medicine
our health depends on the distribution of our energy-consciousness informational field. A shortage of energy inevitably causes ailments. According to Tibetan Medicine
the only difference between youth and old age
and between a sick and healthy individual
is the difference in the rotating speed of the whirlpool energy centers of the chakras. If these different speeds are balanced
old people will rejuvenate and sick people will heal. Therefore
the best way to preserve and keep our health
youth and vitality is to restore and maintain a balanced movement of the energy centers.

The easiest way to keep the chakras balanced is through a set of physical exercises. Yannis called these not simply exercises
but rituals. These rituals allow the human body to mold its energy centers to an ideal level of function. The seven rituals
one for each chakra
must be performed together every morning and when not possible
in the evening. Skipping rituals unbalances energy distribution
and so for the best results
no more than one day per week should be missed. The daily chakra rituals are necessary not only for revitalizing the body
but also for achieving success in every facet of life. “Once you learn how to transform your energy
you will also become happier
” concluded Yannis.

For learning these rituals (which have transformed many peoples’ lives throughout the world)
seeing them in action is much more effective than trying to follow written descriptions or diagrams. A DVD
available from Helix 7
Inc. (www.FeelingOfHappiness.com)
includes actual demonstrations of these rituals.

Another method of keeping the chakras balanced and in their optimal half-open state is meditation. Meditative methods are universal to the human experience; they have accumulated over the ages through many different cultures and have proven their value in attaining peace
clarity
equanimity and in transcending despair. People who meditate on a regular basis are usually calmer
more secure
more joyful and more productive human beings. They are more effective in their everyday lives because they use their mental and physical potential
abilities and skills to their fullest extent. All too often
we humans fail to realize the great latent powers which are
as yet
unawakened in our bodies. We must learn how to revive and utilize them. This can only be achieved through meditation. Eastern men of wisdom
who believed meditation to be a vital necessity
stumbled on this discovery more than 1000 years ago. They learned to influence their inner organs and control their metabolism with the power of their minds. Meditation is to the mind what exercise is to the body; mental strength can be built up just like physical strength. Just as in athletics
it is important for an individual to train his or her body
it is important for an individual to train his or her mind through meditation.

The best time for meditation is early morning
preferably at dawn. Do not meditate when you are sad
aggravated
desperate or sick
because these intense emotional and physiological distractions make an enlightened state of mind impossible. For an effective meditation session
it is preferable to arrange for the undistracted silence of a quiet
clean room with flowers
or the soothing sounds of Mother Nature - near a lake
river
waterfall
woods or fields. Many different mental practices
having their origin in historical traditions
fall under the general heading of "meditation." These paths of mental development can involve emotional and intellectual facets and may also be coordinated with specific movements. Meditation can be structured or unstructured
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer writes in his book Real Magic
“The process of meditation is nothing more than quietly going within and discovering that higher component of yourself … Learning to meditate is learning how to live rather than talking about it…”