Bodily Energy and the Chakras - Book Report/Review Example

?Running Head: Bodily Energy…. Religion and Theology Introduction Bodily energy is generated from multi-dimensional sources. The subject is not exclusive. By body, we ordinarily mean physical body. But every physical body is connected to the spiritual energy without which it is junk and liable to the process of decay. The physical body is nourished by air, food and water and the spiritual body enlivens with the energy generated by chakras. Chakras are seven in number and they receive varied forms of spiritual energy. They are Sahasrara, Ajna, Visuddha, Anahata, Manipura, Svadishthana and Muladhara. Chakras are the moving power points that establish connectivity. Muladhara chakra is located at the bottom of backbone. Within that chakra kundalini exists in a dormant state. Kundalini awakening is the spiritual element of the bodily energy. Normally, Kundalini is like the great powerhouse, but locked! The yogis have proclaimed that through specified procedures one can learn how to make use of that astounding power. The origin of kundalini is Muladhara chakra. With the aid of three nadis kundalini steadily moves up crossing Svadhisthana, Manipura, Aanahata, Vishuddha, Ajna and finally it reaches Sahasrara chakras. That is the state of realization of the Self. Hiroshi Motoyama in his book “Awakening of the Chakras and Emancipation,” articulates well that the existence of a human being is related to mind/body interactions. He also details many meditation and yoga exercises that assist the aspirant to awaken one’s chakras, the body’s circles of light. Working towards emancipation is not possible through physical exercises (asana) alone. Attitudinal balance has to be developed simultaneously by employing techniques like meditation. Hiroshi is eminently suited to write on the subject of bodily energy and the chakras being a scholar in philosophy, has expertise in eastern and western thoughts. He is well-versed with the subject of psychology of religion. He articulates that chakras play their part without intermission in the realms of physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a human being. He is a practicing yogi and a scientist, who is engaged in experimentation. In this book the author provides authoritative information for personal growth, inner transformation and throws light on the process of liberation. When the thought process of an individual is changed, due to intensive spiritual practices, his inner world is also changed. When societies and nations change for the better global peace is possible. This book contains information that relates to transcending the secular existence and attain wisdom (also known as Divine Knowledge), and this secret of spirituality has been passed on to us from the seers of the past and the seers currently existing on this Planet Earth. With proper functioning of the chakras, an individual transcends the mind barrier and moves up further towards the goal of spirituality. In the realm of bliss, one will not be attached to the secular comforts, and views all material objects as witnesses, without the motivated desires. At the final stage the soul transcends its existence itself, and in that state of deliverance it is one with the Absolute. The Divine Knowledge is the science of sciences. It cannot be described in the ordinary language of the human beings; it can only be experienced in the portals of one’s inner world. It encompasses all other branches of knowledge. It is the foundation stone of all knowledge structures that are built and nurtured. Compare it to the roots of a big tree that makes the living of each and every part of it possible, from the smallest leaf to the biggest branch. A human being is the product of action and reaction theory. He is also subject to the force of time. The role of the Messenger of God (Guru) assumes importance here as he is the ocean of kindness and bestows divine grace. Securing Divine Knowledge is possible at Guru’s behest. One of these nadis, Sushumna nadi remains dormant and inactive. While initiating a spiritual aspirant, Guru opens the path for the spiritual world within instantly. He infuses life into it from the spiritual perspective. At the center of the forehead power merger center of all nadis exists. In the sacred oriental text, Yogashastra it is identified as Ajna Chakra. With the opening of the Third Eye, the source of a great volume of light of thousands of suns is experienced. Many celestial scenes come to the fore on the curtain of the mind, which is on the inward journey now. Meditation in the authentic sense begins from this point. This spiritual pilgrimage commences from Ajna Chakra to Sahasrar Chakra, with the practical experiencing of the Divine. As revealed in the spiritual texts, with regular meditation after the opening of the Third Eye, all the power points of the body function in that new dimension. Purity becomes the hallmark of our actions, and thoughts and feelings turn positive, and final merger with the divinity becomes feasible. A weak and sick physical body cannot take up the spiritual practices with success. Yoga practices as per details given in Yoga Sutra like asana, pranayama, bandha, and mudra are relevant to the awakening of the chakras. The author has covered these subjects well supported by the comments of two famous practitioners Swami Satyananda and C.W. Leadbeater. Motoyama is personally well-versed both from the point of view of theory and practice and his writings, are therefore, authentic. The contents of the book make good efforts to explain the mystical aspects of yoga. The author does the de-mystification process with empirical evidence. The first and foremost evidence in the area of spirituality is practical experiencing. The author has the benefit of that experience. He details the process of his chakra awakenings, each one of them, and the experiences associated with it and the impact of those divine processes on the three bodies, the etheric physical, astral and mental. Dr. Motoyama enters the highly controversial area of destiny and karma. Karma is governed as per action and reaction theory, meaning thereby everyone has to suffer or enjoy the results of one’s karma and no escape route exists to avoid this. Some explanation about destiny is needed here to understand the working of karma theory. Destiny has two types of movements. Forward and lateral movements. Forward movement is the one over which one has no control. Lateral is that movement which one controls. For example, energy for the car can be compared to the forward movement. Without the energy (petrol, gas diesel, electricity etc.) the car cannot move notwithstanding the model of the car. The lateral movement is controlled by the driver. He takes the car on the highway, lanes, lands in a ditch by negligent drive etc. This is compared to one’s karma and an individual has the freedom to perform karma. The subtle aspects of karmas affect all bodies formed out of different materials, which interpenetrate one another. Chakras are like the windows of the soul. There is nothing like the more important chakra and the less important chakra. The whole system is interrelated and also interdependent. The kundalini awakening process has to be gradual and in conformity with the system and under the expert guidance of a perfect teacher. Anything done with pressure is like opening of the petals of a flower forcibly. You will never be able to see the beauty of a flower that blossoms through interference and by application of force on it. The human soul is part of the Total Consciousness and on reaching the level of pinnacle of perfection through dedicated practice, it merges into the Eternal Ocean of Bliss to become one with the Reality. Conclusion I am not willing to accept the central belief of Dr. Motoyama that destiny is above karma. Each has the defined areas and roles in shaping the life of an individual. But it is true that by negating lower levels of our existence, and by understanding their true perspective and limitations, one can assiduously try to reach the higher levels and in this process, chakras leave their influences in self-cultivation. The author has given scientific and learned information about chakra’s location, the relationship of chakras and the body, human psychology and chakras, the four-dimensional role of chakras at the physical, psychological, astral and karana, chakra’s role in emancipation, yoga asanas, activation of chakra and the inner developments, pitfalls when working open the chakra, the mutual relationships between different chakras and nadis, dangers of misusing or overusing the chakras, and finally his own experiences with the chakras and kundalini awakening. This is an inspirational book with facts and figures and provides authentic information about the human anatomy and the process of one’s journey to the inner world. References Motoyama, Hiroshi (2003).Awakening of the Chakras and Emancipation. Human Science Press; Print. Read More