The
Yoga Chakra Chart
"Truth is like a great mirror shattered by time
into hundred thousand pieces", which enables all who
possess a small fragment to declare, "My Religion-Truth
- is the true one"
(Sufi Gibrail Kham)
From the Indus Valley where
one of the greatest civilizations of pre-history was already
developing in the 4th millenium
B.C., there comes to us across the barriers of time the philosophical
and religious teaching of Yoga, which condenses and exalts
the highest spiritual aspirations of Humanity of all times
and every land. Yoga as we know it today is probably very
different from the original Yoga of the Indus Valley, having
been codified and subsequently modified over the millenia.
The first known codification is to be BHAGAVAD GITA (c.400
B.C.). Then, in 150 A.D., the "FIVE WAYS of YOGA" were
codified.
YOGA derives from the Sanskrit
YUK= meaning "unite" or "bind",
linguistically related to the Latin "Iungere or Iugum" (yoke).
Yoga "binds and "unites" the psychic powers
and faculties, balancing and reinforcing them and increasing
their power.
The Five Paths, or Ways, relate to the principal aspects where by man externalises
his inner nature (the Self). The conquest and aim of Yoga is the obtaining
of a total vision of the Self and, this being similar to the All (Microcosm=Macrocosm),
to arrive at the total vision of the Infinite.
The Five Paths (or Ways) are:
1. HATA YOGA
2. RAJA YOGA
3. KARMA YOGA
4. JNANA YOGA
5. BHAKTI YOGA
All five Paths towards knowledge
of the Divine Essence in Man, which can enable him to overcome
all sub-divisions.
The Five Paths themselves and all "divided" (or
apparently divided) things in the universe are one thing.
When the One Energy which forms and acts in the All is understood,
the Universe and all Universes converge in one. "Point" (BINDHU) where the very
Essence of the all is concentrated. The "Point" becomes zero and
is centre in the Infinite (that which lies outside the centre is finite). In
Man, the Soul is the Infinite, while the body and all that surrounds it are
finite.
In RAJA-YOGA the ASANAS (positions) serve
to eliminate psychic disturbances of the Physical Body, creating
a psycho-physical balance which combats the mind's inconstancy.
ASANA: There are 84 hundred thousand Asanas "described" by
Shiva. There are as many Asanas as there are living beings
in the Universe. Their
importance depends on their influence on the endocrine glands and the "Prana
and Apana" currents. While the Apana restrains the Prana in its upward
impulse, the Prana restrains the Apana in its downward fall. The Apana is the
assimilating energy which passes along the PINGALA (@ Sun) channel (Nadi) and
emerges at the right nostril. The Prana is the energy which flows along the
IDA (lunar) channel (Nadi) and emerges at the left nostril. The oscillations
of the two energy forces create instability and restlessness. Some Yoga exercises
serve to make the contents of the two lateral channels converge in the central
one (SUSUMNA), thereby uniting the two energies, APANA and PRANA.
SADHANA (preparatory bases)
1. YAMA (moral observation)
2. NIYAMA (rules of conduct)
3. ASANA (the positions)
4. PRANAYAMA (breathing exercises
5. PRATYAHARA (restraining external temptations)
SAMYAMA (Yoga Proprer)
6. DHARANA (concentration)
7. DHYANA ( meditation)
8. SAMADHI ( union with God)
1. BAHIRANGA SADHANA = Beginning of spiritual research and
ascesis. (Bahiranga = Exterior, that which belongs to the
circle of exteriority). [1-3]
2. ANTARANGA SADHANA = Interior research of the spirit (Antaranga = Interior,
that which belongs to the circle of interiority) [4-8]
SADHANA = Discipline, Ascesis.
AHIMSA = (A = no Himsa = violence) = Do
not Harm. Violence arises from Fear, Ignorance and Selfishness.
Only by freeing oneself from these ills, restraining them
voluntarily by practising Ahimsa, can one attain ABHAYA (freedom
from Fear) and AKRODHA (freedom from Wrath).
HATA-YOGA = (Ha=Sun, THA=Moon, union of
the two breaths, the right Solar, positive and the left,
Lunar, negative. Hata also means health.
To attain SAMADHI (the state of ecstasy) through the ASANAS (positions) and
the PRANAYAMA (rhythmic control of the breathing) and with the MUDRA (methods
of enclosing the breathing into the body).
KARMA-YOGA (Karma = every action has its
KARMAN, which will be a prize or a punishment in the chain
of existence (SAMSARA), YOGA of action, deeds and work. Carrying
out one's duty with no expectation of reward. Part of RAJA
YOGA.
SAHASRARA CHAKRA - ( or BRAHMA CHAKRO)
Fluid Centre where the three "Force (Nadi Ida, Nadi Pingala and the Central
Channel Susumna) converge. Located on the crown of the head. Lotus of a Thousand
Petals, corresponding to all human potential. At the centre of the Lotus is
its Mandala (magic symbol), composed of a Moon with a triangle inside with
the point facing downwards (representing the Joni, or female organ), which
contains the "Parabindu = the highest point, of the greatest and purest
transcendence, where the human Microcosm is united with the Macrocosm of the
Divine Universe.
The union of SHIVA (awareness) with its Shakti (manifestation of Powers).
The carrying out of difficult practical research (SADHANA).
AJNA-CHAKRA (Ajna = Command, Centre of
Command)
Situated between the eyebrows, in the place of the Eye of Shiva, the Vajra
(diamond, thunderbolt and sceptre) which gives the transcendent vision. White,
like the Moon, resplendent in the glory of Dhyana (Meditation). Two-petalled
flower, with the letters Ha and Ksha. In it dwells the goddess Hakini
of the six faces and six arms. Its Mandala (magic symbol) is an upside-down
triangle, symbolising the womb (Joni) of the goddess, with the Linga inside
(symbol of virility) of the Interior Spirit (Antarama).
Location of the highest manifestation
of Shiva, the Bavagan Pava Mashiva = House of Shiva. Its
Shakti (energy) is the
very powerful Maya, where the Tattva (principles) of Fire,
Sun and Moon converge. Its Mantra (sacred syllable) is the
Seed of the Veda, the AUM or OM (Seed of creation, the sanscrit
meaning ALL, similar to the Latin OMNE or the Hebrew
AMEN).
LALATA-CHAKRA (Lalana-Cakra)
Situated at the roof of the palate, in front of the uvula. Red, involved in
the organisation of the feelings and emotions, both egoistic and altruistic:
pride, fondness, pain, regret, reverence and respect. 16-petalled Lotus.
VISHUDDHA-CHAKRA
Situated at the level of the throat, the nerve plexus of the pharynx region,
location of the inhalation of breath. White, relates to the power which produces
language and stimulates the hearing with the mouth and the cutaneous system.
16-petalled lotus with the letters: A,I,U,Ri,E, etc...Its Mandala (magic
symbol) is a circle within a point-down triangle and in it is the god "Sadashiva" represented
as Androgynous (half male, half female), half Gold and half Silver (Sun
and Moon), accompanied by his Shakti (energy) called Shakini. The mantra
(Sacred Syllable) is Ham.
ANAHATA-CHAKRA
Situated on the cardiac plexus in the region of the heart, Vermillion red,
enables the yogi to listen to the palpitation of Life (SHABDA BRAHMAN). 12-petalled
Lotus with the letters; Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha, Na, Ca, Cha, Ja, Jha, Jna, Ta,
Tha.
Its Mandala (magic symbol) is the "Hexagram" (Salomon's Seal) where
the god Isha (the Lord) resides with his Shakti (force-energy) Kakini.
In the lowest triangle of the hexagram is the Shiva-Linga, symbolising spiritual
virility. The Mantra (Sacred Symbol) is Yam.
Yoghin who made quiet his mind, possesses the supreme
bliss, rids himself of the sin and makes serene his mind.
(6.28)
MANAS-CHAKRA
(Manas=Soul, Spirit, Mind with the power of decision, (recalling the latin
MENS); on it the control of the senses depends)
Situated between the umbilicus and the heart. 6-petalled Lotus, each petal
dedicated to a sensation, Hearing, Touch, Sight, Taste and Smell, plus dreams
and hallucinations. Representations of dreams in fact reach this Chakra.
SURYA-CHAKRA (the Sun)
Situated between the umbilicus and the heart, similar and complementary to
the Manas Chakra, not one of the principal Chakras. The five lower Chakras
(excluding the Manas and Surya) from the Muladhara to the Vishuddha correspond
to the Bhuta, the five form of sensitive matter: Muladhara = Earth, Svadhishthana=Water,
Manipura=Fire, Anhata=Air, etc...
Vishudda=Ether, Anahata=Air
MANIPURA CHAKRA (Brilliant as a gem)=Mani
Fluid-energy centre situated at the level of the umbilicus corresponding to
the gastric plexus. Its nature (Tattva) relates to the forces stimulating
the sense of form and colour. 10-petalled Lotus with the letters Dam, Dham,
Nam, Tam, Tham, Dam, Dham, Nham, Pam, Pham.
Its Mandala (magic symbol) is a triangle with the point downwards, where one
of the forms of Shiva resides, the god Rudra with his Shakti (force-energy)
the carnivorous godess Lakini, her breasts red with the blood dripping from
her mouth.
Its Mantra (Sacred syllable, seed of Fire) is RAM (Bija).
SVADHISHTHANA-CHAKRA
Second fluid centre of the organism
Situated between the base of the pubis between the genitals and the sacral
nerve plexus.
Its nature (Tattva) relates to Water, with the sense of taste and the "Prana" as
meaning breath. 6-petalled Lotus, with the letters; Ba, Bha, Ma, Ya, Pa, La.
Its Mandala (magic symbol) is half moon, and Vishnu is the presiding deity,
accompanied by is Shakti (energy-force) called Rakini.
Its Mantra (sacred syllable) is VAM.
MULADHARA-CHAKRA
(Mula=Root, adhara=Support, Central support of the root, where the Sushumna,
the central axis has its point of departure, running parallel to the spinal
column (Brahmadanda). In it is found the divine energy latent
in Man. The point where the two NADI meet (Nadi Pingala and Nadi
Ida).
Situated between the genitals and the anus. Its color is crimson, and its nature
(Tattva) is the Earth, with the quality of cohesion and the sense of smell.
4-petalled Lotus with the letter Vam, Sham, Cam, Sam.
Its Mandala (magic symbol) is a square with a point-down triangle at the centre,
the symbol of the Yoni (female organ) containing the Linga (male organ) around
which is curled (three and a half times) the snake goddess Devi Kundalini,
ready to move up the Susumna
The god residing in this Chakra is Brahma, and his Shakti (energy-force) is
called DAKINI.
Its Mantra (sacred symbol) is LAM, who rides the elephant Airavata, symbolizing
solidity, strength and firmness.
Remember that brownish red gives
power.
Black (krishda) yields fame.
Influence of (coloured) stones
called Shalagrama.
Neglecting all his material desires, Yoghin must be
able to control all his senses. (6.25)
JAMBU-DVIPA-COSMOLOGY
Jainist diagram of the division of the "One Cosmos",
with at the centre the Hearth and the mythical Mount
Meru, surrounded by seas and rivers
(15th century)
"They who are steady
in eating and in rest, and in their work, do their duty;
they who, are steady in sleeping
and waking, they will be able, Training Yoga, to mitigate
sufferings of their material lives...............Bhagavadgita
6-18
BHUJANGASANA "Cobra"
NITAMBASANA Side flexing
ARDHA CHAKRASANA Thorax expansion
UDDIYANA Abdominal contraction
NATARAJASANA Balance "Asana"
TRIKONASANA "Triangle"
SUPTA-VAJRASANA Back arching
PASCHIMOTTANASANA Back stretching
PRANAYAMA Complete respiration
LOTUS Sushagana
UPSIDE-DOWN LOTUS
SAVASANA Relaxation Agana
SABVANGASANA Position on Shoulders
HALASANA "Plough"
URVASANA "Of Danger"
ARDAHA MATSYENDRASANA Complete Torsion
PADAHASTASANA Legs bold
SIRSHASANA "Modified" Asana on the head:
FURVOTTASANA "Bridge"
VAJRASANA Back arching
SALABHASANA
DHANURASANA "Arch"
BHRADRASANA Knees and thighs extension
JANUSIRASANA Alternate traction on Legs.
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