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Ceremonial Magic #5
Copyright © 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is licenced for
free non-commercial distribution only.
** MAGICK 5 -- CHAKRAS AND MEDITATION **
According to East Indian philosophy, man possesses seven major
"chakras" or psychic centers on his body. Each of these forms a
bridge, link, or energy transformer; changing pure (higher)
energy into various forms, and connecting the four bodies (ie.
spiritual, mental, astral, and physical) together. The chakras
are located along the nadies (a network of psychic nerves or
channels) and follow the autonomic nervous system along the
spinal cord. Chakras correlate with major acupuncture points
along the "governing vessel meridian" (acupuncture term). The
seven major chakras are connected together by three major nadies
which are parallel and near each other. The middle nadi is
called "sushumna" and it has neutral characteristics. The nadi
on the left (ie. nearest your left hand) is the "ida" nadi which
has yin characteristics. On the other side of sushumna (nearest
your right hand) is the "pingala" nadi, having yang qualities.
Chakras are visible to clairvoyant sight as variously colored
rotating circles or funnels. In the East they are described as
petaled flowers or lotuses. Sources disagree on the colors.
The first chakra, located at the base of the spine at the
perineum is the *root chakra*, muladhara. It primarily relates
to the element of earth and to psychic smell.
The second chakra, known as the *sacral center*, svadhisthana, is
located above and behind the genitals. Its dominant element is
water, and it is related to psychic taste.
Third of the chakras is the *solar plexus*, manipura, located at
the navel and corresponding with the emotions and with the
element of fire; also with psychic sight (clairvoyance).
The "heart chakra", anahata, is the fourth chakra, located over
the heart and corresponding with the element of air, and also
with psychic touch.
The fifth chakra is the "throat chakra", vishuddha, located at
the base of the throat (thyroid) and corresponding with psychic
hearing (clairaudience).
The remaining two chakras are very important. They relate mostly
to elevated states of consciousness. The "frontal chakra", (or
third eye) ajna, the sixth chakra, is located between, and
slightly above, the eyebrows. Ajna is the center of psychic
powers and can produce many psychic effects. Meditation on ajna
is said to cure nervousness.
Finally, the "crown chakra", sahasrara, located atop the head,
(pineal gland) is the seventh chakra. It is referred to as the
thousand-petaled lotus and corresponds with astral projection and
enlightenment.
There are also many minor chakras throughout the body. Each
chakra has a sound (letter) and a pitch which is sometimes used
to invoke it.
THE TATTVAS
Some occultists prefer to describe the magical elements as
tattvas according to the Eastern system. Notice that these
symbols and colors are generally different than the western
symbols and colors for the elements.
element tattva tattvic symbol
======= ====== ==============
earth prithivi yellow square
water apas silver crescent
fire tejas red triangle
air vayu blue circle
(spirit) akasa black oval
YOGA
Yoga originated in India. It is a physical or mental discipline
designed to condition and invigorate the mind and body. There
are many kinds of yoga, but they may be generally divided into
three main types...
Hatha yoga -- affect the mind through the body using physical
exercises; improve physical health and endurance.
Raja yoga -- affect the mind through mental training; improve
concentration.
Mantra yoga -- affect the mind through chanting and
affirmation; achieve relaxation.
MEDITATION
This is a much touted area of the occult. There are many
meditation techniques, and many claims made for the benefits of
meditation. Basically, meditation has two functions --
relaxation, and perhaps, improved concentration. There are two
main types...
1) concentration meditation (focusing),
2) insight meditation (mindfulness).
Most kinds of meditation are the concentrative type. One simply
focuses his attention upon a single physical object (such as a
candle flame); upon a sensation (such as that felt while walking
or breathing); upon an emotion (such as reverence or love); upon
a mantra spoken aloud or even silently; or upon a visualization
(as in chakra meditation, see below). Concentration meditation
is, simply put, a form of self-hypnosis.
A mantra (or mantrum) is one or more words or syllables which are
repeated -- often chanted -- aloud...A simple yet powerful mantra
is to vibrate the mystical word "OM". This mantra has long been
associated in India with the godhead/unity. Use it to aid in
tuning into universal vibrations which promote feelings of
harmony, peace, and well-being. Use it before magick ritual to
"get into the mood" and afterward to "dismiss the forces". You
vibrate a mantra by saying it slowly aloud in a lower-pitched
voice than your normal speech, and a more or less constant pitch
as well. Let the sound fade at the end of the mantra. A
powerful one such as "OM" will seem to vibrate the air around
you. It should be vocalized for 5-10 seconds and repeated a
number of times with a few seconds rest between each
vocalization. Chanting of mantras may cause slight dizziness
from hyperventilation.
The other main type of meditation -- insight meditation -- is the
analysis of thoughts and feelings in such a way as to cause
realization of the subjectivity and illusion of experience. This
is done in a effort to attain transcendental awareness. Such
statements as, "This body is not me", fall under this category.
Buddhist meditations are usually of this type.
CHAKRA MEDITATION
There is a special type of concentrative meditation which we will
call "Chakra meditation". This is basically Kundalini yoga --the
practice of causing psychic energy (kundalini) to flow up
sushumna, energizing the various chakras along the way. The
practice, considered dangerous by some, will produce definite
physiological sensations and psychological effects if continued
long enough. It should not be attempted by epileptics or persons
with an unstable mental or physical condition, or with heart
disease. Certain drugs and medications, such as those used to
treat epilepsy may retard progress. Although the technique is
very simple, it may eventually produce powerful results. Results
may at first appear hours after the practice during sleep. As
each chakra is energized by this practice, it is said to add
occult powers (sidhis), until at last the crown chakra is
reached, and with it, full enlightenment is attained. Sometimes
kundalini awakens all by itself.
To practice this chakra meditation, you simply concentrate on the
chakras, beginning with the root chakra, and moving progressively
up, as you visualize psychic energy from the root chakra
traveling up shushumna and vivifying each higher chakra. As we
mentioned the chakras have certain properties associated with
them, so that this type of visualization may raise consciousness,
promote astral projection, and other things -- once you have
reached ajna and eventually the crown chakra. You might
typically meditate in this fashion for 15 minutes to a half hour
a day. It might help to practice some hatha yoga or other
physical exercise in an effort to make the spinal cord "more
flexible". Diet may also affect the process. The technique is
also similar to the Tibetan "Tummo" meditation. The rise of
kundalini is sometimes experienced as a vibration or buzzing, as
light, or as heat.
HEALTH AND DIET
Certainly the way you treat your physical body will affect your
mind. In magick you want an alert mind. Therefore, your body
must be as healthy as you can keep it. Take care of your body.
Exercise regularly, eat a good diet (with vitamin supplements),
and do not consume anything which will have a negative effect
upon the mind. Drugs, smoking,, and alcohol should be
restricted, or eliminated. (The mind can create any condition
which a drug can create.) A good rule here is moderation in what
and how much you consume. (Most of this stuff is pretty obvious
isn't it.) You may also want to cut down on sugar and processed
foods. Many occultists advise dietary changes, especially the
non-eating of meat. We cannot deny the physical, psychological,
and spiritual effect which all foods have. This effect may be
described as the "heaviness" factor of foods. Various foods are
so ranked in the chart, lighter to heavier...
1. lettuce and other greens.
2. fruits and most vegetables.
3. wheat, rice, and other grains.
4. nuts, beans, and other legumes.
5. cheese, dairy products, including eggs.
6. fish, seafood.
7. chicken, poultry.
8. beef, pork, other red meats.
Note that meats, especially red meats are the heaviest foods.
Generally, foods which are harder to digest, or which are higher
in protein are "heavier" than those which are not. Animal
products are heavier than plants. Foods high in carbohydrate
(candy, bread, starch) are heavy. However, the heaviness of
foods is not directly related to the amount of calories.
What this means is that for various reasons, the heaviness of
food in your diet will affect your magical experiences. You may
be able to increase your psychic receptivity ("energy level") by
eating lighter foods, or by eating less. Conversely, emphasizing
heavy foods in your diet, or eating larger helpings, may help to
"bring you down to earth" should you "rent the veil" too much.
These are generalizations, of course, and it may take a number of
days of dietary change before you notice much effect. I do not
advocate radical dietary changes, excessive fasting, or
malnutrition. Your good health is far more important in magick
than any temporary effect you get from prolonged starvation. A
change in diet will sometimes only produce a temporary effect,
until the physical body adapts to the change. Healthy natural
foods and lifestyle make it easier for us to be healthy, but
ultimately, good health is a mental quality (attitude).
THE FOUR-FOLD BREATH
With physical exercise too, moderation is advised. (You should
be cautious, or not attempt it if you have a respiratory or heart
condition. Check with your physician if in doubt, and don't
overdo.) One of the most useful physical exercises is pranayama,
or controlled breathing (actually a type of hatha yoga exercise).
For this and any other calisthenics or hatha yoga which you might
choose to do a "kitchen timer" is suggested (many of these aren't
accurate for under three minutes, but are helpful for longer
periods).
The main purpose of pranayama is to relax the body and mind.
There are many kinds of pranayama, but a simple one called the
"four-fold breath" will suffice. This consists of four short
quick inhalations, then four short quick exhalations; then
repeat, continuing until the allotted time is used up. It will
take about 1 1/2 seconds for the four inhalations, and about 1
1/2 seconds for the four exhalations; or about 3 seconds for the
complete in-out cycle ("rep" for repetition). There should be no
strain of any kind during your pranayama. You will probably
notice a slight dizziness, particularly at first, since the
effect of pranayama is to hyperventilate. Try sitting back in a
chair with your eyes closed when you do your pranayama. Begin a
minute a day for the first week and gradually increase up to
about five minutes a day. If you do the pranayama before your
magical activity, it will help you to get "into the mood". It is
also an excellent aid to relaxation and tension release.
Pranayama should not be done during heavy air pollution. Other
exercises you might consider are hatha yoga, calisthenics,
walking or jogging.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is a chakra? List them.
2) Name the three major nadies. Which nadi is hot?
3) What is pranayama?
BOOK LIST
Arthur Diekman, The Observing Self.
W.Y. Evans-Wentz, Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines.
Sandra Gibson, Beyond the Mind.
King and Skinner, Techniques of High Magic.
Swami Sivananda, Kundalini Yoga.
John Woodroffe (pseud. for Arthur Avalon), The Serpent Power.
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88
Mysteria
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box 83
Tujunga, CA 91042
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