A hypothesis in Sahaja Yoga is that we have within us a subtle system with energy centres that can be felt after self-realisation. When we get self-realisation we become connected to the all-pervading energy of the cosmos, and as a result we become subtly aware of ourselves and others.
In the diagram the energy centres, or chakras, are shown as circles of different colours, in line with the spinal chord.
The awareness of the energy centres gives a tremendously objective view of ourselves. We don’t “think” that we have this or that problem but we can actually feel the source of our problems on our finger tips. We all have a great capacity to rationalise our experiences, to justify our actions through the power of our mind. Through this vibratory awareness which we get through Sahaja Yoga meditation we are able to use a much more reliable measure of ourselves. In short, we begin to “know ourselves.”
The amazing thing is that every problem that we have, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, can be related to disturbances, also known as “catches” on these energy centres. If you look at the picture you will see that the colours shown on the hand correspond to colours shown on the body. For example, the thumb has a yellow colour and this corresponds to the colour of the second energy centre at the base of the green circle in the picture.
Further, if we are able to cleanse these energy centres, also called “clearing”, we can actually cure these energy centres. A number of articles have been published in scientific publications to demonstrate that Sahaja Yoga does work when this approach is used.
In addition to the chakras there are also three nadis, the the three vertical lines shown in the diagram, with yellow, white and blue colours. These correspond to our overall state of balance. If we are moving on the left channel, the moon channel, the blue line in the diagram, then we are more active on the emotional side, and may be prone to depression, or in extreme cases suicidal tendencies. If we are moving on the right channel, the sun channel, shown as a yellow line in the diagram, then we tend to plan a lot, be futuristic and very active. The central channel, or white channel in the diagram represents the ideal state of balance in Sahaja Yoga, where we tend to be in a meditative, witness state.
The kundalini is shown as a coil between the red and yellow energy centres, indicating its potential state. It lies dormant in every human until awakened, at which point it travels through the energy centres and pierces the fontannel bone in our head. Interestingly, fontanelle means “little fountain.” When this happens the person has achieved the state of self-realisation.
In later articles we will have a closer look at the different energy centres.