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The Human Subtle System
Ancient Knowledge of our Roots - Chakras Qualities
Inside every human being there is a network of nerves and sensory organs that interprets the outside physical world. At the same time, within us resides a subtle system of channels (nadis) and centers of energy (chakras) which look after our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual being. Each of the seven chakras has several spiritual qualities. These qualities are intact within us, and even though they might not always be manifest, they can never be destroyed. When the Kundalini is awakened, these qualities start manifesting spontaneously and express themselves in our life. Thus, through regular meditation, we become automatically very dynamic, creative, confident and at the same time very humble, loving and compassionate. It is a process which starts to develop by itself when the Kundalini rises and starts to nourish our chakras.
The Nadi(s) or The Three Channels
The human subtle system rides on the Three Channels – the Left, The Right, & The Central. The left channel (blue), or the Left Sympathetic Nervous System, corresponds to our past, emotions, desires. Its termination is the superego, which is the storehouse of all our memories, habits and conditionings. The right channel (yellow), or the Right Sympathetic Nervous System, corresponds to our actions and planning, to our physical and mental activity. Its termination is the ego, which gives us the idea of “I”-ness, the sense that we are separate from the world. The central channel, or the Para-Sympathetic Nervous System, is the channel of ascent, it is the power which sustains our evolution and guides us, consciously or unconsciously, towards the higher awareness of the Sahastrara (seventh chakra).
The Seven Chakras or The Plexuses
The human subtle system is governed with the help of the Seven Chakras or the Plexuses. Defined as Chakras in the ancient texts, these are now recognized as the nodal points, or Plexuses on the nervous system by medical science. The plexuses govern the physical functions of the connected organs within the body. On the spiritual side of these plexuses, as Chakras, they also govern and enhance one or more behavioral and emotional qualities in the human being. These seven chakras are as follows.
1. Mooladhara Chakra: Innocence or Purity
The first chakra is situated below the sacrum bone (This place of Sacrum Bone is Called Mooladhara – which resides in the Kundalini, and it is different from Mooladhara Chakra). The main aspect of Mooladhara Chakra is the innocence. Innocence is the quality by which we experience pure, child-like joy, without the limitations of prejudice or conditionings. Innocence gives us dignity, balance, and a tremendous sense of direction and purpose in life. It is nothing but simplicity, purity, and joy. It is the inner wisdom that is ever present in little children and gets sometimes clouded by our modern lifestyles. But it is a quality that exists eternally within us and cannot be destroyed, waiting to manifest as pure joy when the Kundalini rises.
2. Swadishthan Chakra: Creativity & Pure Attention
The second chakra is the chakra of creativity, pure attention, and pure knowledge. It is the one that connects us to the inner source of inspiration and enables us to experience the beauty around us. The pure knowledge given by this chakra is not mental, but it is a direct perception of the Reality, that can be felt in our palms and indicates our subtle blockages. Also, this is the center of pure, steady attention and power of concentration. On the physical level, it looks after our liver, kidneys, and the lower abdomen. When we think too much, this center gets drained of energy, and diseases like diabetes or blood cancer can occur when this chakra goes completely out of balance.
3. Nabhi Chakra: Satisfaction and Generosity
The third chakra is the one that gives us a sense of generosity, complete satisfaction, and contentment. On the left side, the main quality of this center is peace – clearing this chakra can relieve stress and tension. On the right side, it looks after our liver which is the organ of our attention and power of concentration. When enlightened by the Kundalini, the Nabhi chakra gives us our spiritual ascent, righteousness inner sense of morality, and complete balance at all levels in our life.
3A The Void: The Guru Principal
Surrounding the second and the third chakra is the Void which stands for the principle of mastery (guru principle) within us. In many spiritual traditions, this area is the “ocean of illusions” that needs to be crossed with the help of a spiritual guide. When the Kundalini is awakened and passes through the Void, this principle of mastery is established within us. Thus, as Shri Mataji says, in Sahaja Yoga you become your guru, your spiritual guide since you can feel at your fingertips all your subtle problems and have the power to cure them using your own Kundalini. Moreover, establishing this center helps us get rid of all our habits, laziness, gross attachments, and everything that enslaves us in one way or another: we become our own masters. Following false “gurus” who are more interested in power tricks or your purse can damage very much the Void area. But after Self-realization, everything can be cured through the purifying power of the Kundalini in meditation.
4. The Heart Chakra or Anahat Chakra: The Seat of Spirit The fourth chakra, the chakra of the heart, is the place where resides our Spirit, our true Self, which is eternally pure and unaffected by anything, like a shining diamond hidden within us that witnesses all our actions. After Self Realization, our attention becomes for the first time connected to our Spirit and we gradually become aware of it. Our misidentifications with our ego or conditionings drop and we start becoming identified with our Spirit, which is our true nature. On the physical level, this chakra looks after our heart and lungs – if affected, it can cause asthma or various heart conditions. It is from our heart that compassion and love manifest, and also the heart chakra is the one that gives us a sense of responsibility and pure behavior towards others. The heart chakra manifests in the center (at the level of the sternum bone) as complete security and confidence. All our worries, doubts, and fears are destroyed when the heart chakra is fully enlightened by the Kundalini.
5. Vishuddhi Chakra: Diplomacy and Playful Detachment
The fifth chakra is the chakra of diplomacy, pure relationships with others, and playful detachment. It removes all our guilt and remorse when it is opened by the Kundalini, and gives us a kind and compassionate voice. The tendencies to dominate or feel dominated by others, the feelings of superiority or inferiority, and all jealousy are removed when the Kundalini nourishes this chakra. Also, the Vishuddhi is the chakra that gives us the connection with the whole, enabling us to feel our oneness and the fact that we are all part and parcel of the whole.
6. The Agnya Chakra: Forgiveness And Compassion
The sixth chakra is the chakra of forgiveness and compassion. Forgiveness is the power to let go of anger, hatred, and resentment and to discover, in humility, the nobility and generosity of the Spirit. It is the one that dissolves all our ego, conditionings, habits, false ideas of racialism, and all our misidentifications. It is the narrow gate that opens the way for our consciousness to ascend to its final destination, which is the seventh center. Roving eyes, watching impure things, or self-centeredness damage this chakra. Watching the sky, earth or nature can help cleanse it.
7. The Sahastrara Chakra: Integration
The seventh center integrates all the chakras with their respective qualities. It is the last milestone of the evolution of human awareness. Nowadays, we are at a level that corresponds to this chakra, and our consciousness can easily enter into this new realm of perception, which is beyond our limited mind and concepts, and which becomes absolute at the level of the Sahastrara. This chakra gives us the direct, absolute perception of Reality in our central nervous system. This is precisely what is achieved by Self Realization, through the spontaneous awakening of the Kundalini given by Sahaja Yoga. The working of Self-realization and subtle aspects of the chakras and channels are too extensive to be explained here. They are part of a knowledge that is not only to be studied at the mental level but to be experienced directly. This new level of consciousness can be achieved after Self Realization, through the regular practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation techniques that are taught, always free of charge, in over 75 countries around the world. Kindly refer to the Sahaja Yoga Centers list available on this website to find the closest center to you.
