Is enlightenment elitist?

The concept of the chakras, or energy wheels within the body, is common to both Chinese and Indo-Tibetan subtle body theoretical frameworks. The Chinese describe the energy as moving in circular patterns in the body. The Indo-Tibetan systems describe a central channel with a solar and lunar set of parallel meridians, which must be united to fully open the central channel. When these energies are integrated, there is said to be realization. Similarly, the kundalini theory describes the energy as traveling from the base of the spine to the top of the head.

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The nihuan point, which corresponds with the pineal gland, represents the third, or wisdom eye. The human body is actually a universe which can be described in alchemical terms as "as above, so below" which sees the human body as both the microcosm of the multiverse and the fundamental source of the design of the cosmos.

According to Taoist alchemical theory, the pineal gland of the enlightened adept becomes equivalent to the North Star because everything between heaven and earth has become one being. The mind and body of the adept is identical to the mind and body of the universe simultaneously. This idea that the inner dimensions are actually more real than our conventional third-dimensional reality is based upon the ability of advanced practitioners who travel between inner worlds. The other basic idea is that the reproductive energy of the lower body can be taken to the head to activate the brain and increase the luminosity of the mind. 

Chinese alchemy is based on the idea that aging can be dramatically reduced if the original pre-birth energy of the body is restarted by natural breathing practices. The basis of Taoism is that embryonic breathing results in a kundalini activation, the Golden Flower, or the union of the individual with heaven and earth, the higher and lower dimensions of reality being unified into a single whole. This single whole is the Tao or universal void. 

The goal of meditation is for the individual to open the third eye by systematically cultivating the mind and body, using variations of heat yoga. All of these alchemical systems describe the human body as a crucible, which can be heated by specific practices, both internal and external, which greatly increase the overall luminosity of the mind/body continuum.

Is enlightenment elitist? To get good at something one must study and practice. There is more access to information about the various practices used to achieve enlightenment through the globalization of our information systems. The nirvana meme has gone into the advertising industry, as well as commercial sports, which use Zen concepts like the Zone or Peak Performance to enhance an athlete's psychological condition. The end result is that a spiritual, non-religious dimension is recognized in Western science as normal. What do you think?

 

 

What is the Kundalini?

In the writings of the Indian expert on kundalini, Gopi Krishna, we find the following: Heaven has planted in the human body a powerful reservoir of psychic energy that, when roused to activity, can lead to transcendental states of consciousness, genius, and supernormal psychic gifts.

Though millions of ordinary people may know about the breakthroughs in astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and other branches of science, hardly anybody is familiar with a far more important development: the almost unbelievable potential lying dormant in their own brain. It is this power center in the human body that the sages in India knew as Kundalini and that adepts in other parts of the world called by names as varied as the “sun behind the sun” and the “philosopher’s stone.”
-Gopi Krishna, Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man

What is this kundalini that we are talking about here? To understand kundalini we must understand the term prana, which means something quite close to the Chinese chi. Prana is life energy and, like chi, can be linked to the breath. Also, like chi, it is the original energy that gives life to and supports all of our physical, mental and even emotionalactivities. As an old saying goes, “Where there is breath, there is life.” We can go without food or even water (as in some yogic practices in India as well as in China) for days, weeks, or even months at a time but we cannot go for more than a few minutes without breathing.

Many yogic practices are about strengthening or purifying the prana or life force. The specific aspect of the life force that is called kundalini is said to reside deep in the first chakra of the body, lying coiled there like a snake. The image of a snake rising through the spinal core is used to describe the awakening of the kundalini energy. This energy called the kundalini is the juncture where the body meets the other elements of consciousness. Activation of the kundalini spreads this primal energy up along channels called nadis, through the knots of the chakras. Or course to do this one needs proper coaching. Although occasionally pain is described, usually the sensations of heat, pleasure, and even ecstasy are reported.