[KALKI]

Chakra System






Tantra teaches that the same potent energies that govern the cosmos exist within the human body. The energy body, though not anatomically discernible, runs parallel, on an etheric level, to the physical body.

The energy circuits, or meridians (like in acupuncture), are called nadis. Three nadis are particularly imporant: the Sushumna, the central energy channel located within the spinal column, the Ida, the nadi of the lunar force located on the left of the spine, and the Pingala, the nadi of the solar force located on the right of the spine. Both the Ida and the Pingala intertwine around the Sushumna.
Each of the seven main energy centers, called chakras, is represented as a sacred lotus flower. The number of petals on the flower denotes the frequency at which each psychic energy wheel whirls around. On every petal is inscribed a letter of the Sanskrit alphabet, which creates a specific cosmic vibration or sound, known as a mantra.

Kundalini is the raw energy of Shakti. The unawakened Kundalini is represented by a serpent coiled three and a half times at the base of the spine. This dormant force must be awakened if the Tantric yogi is to achieve enlightenment.

As consciousness is raised through meditation, Kundalini yoga, or Tantric sexual union, the Kundalini Shakti ascends through the Sushumna, unlocking the cosmic energies within each lotus center until she reaches her absolute fulfillment in the crown chakra. Only when the Tantric yogi has raised his or her consciousness to this level can true spiritual enlightenment be achieved.

Each chakra has both a male and a female deity associated with it. These sub-deities represent certain aspects of the two principle deities in Tantra -- Lord Shiva and his consort, Shakti. However, Tantric meditational deities should not be confused with what different mythologies and religions might mean when they speak of gods and goddesses.

In Tantra, the deities represent the essential qualities of the fully awakened experience latent within us. To use the language of psychology, the deities are archetypes of our own deepest nature, our most profound level of consciousness. In Tantra, we focus our attention upon such an archetypal image and identify with it in order to arouse the deepest, most profound aspects of our being and bring them into our present reality. Therefore, although not absolutely necessary, initially it is often helpful when one is meditating on a particular chakra to meditate on its corresponding deities.

The process of transcending from form to the formless is like learning the initially abstract letters of the alphabet. We learn "A" by associating it with a concrete thing such as an apple. Then, after we learn the alphabet, the apple for "A", ball for "B", and cat for "C" disappear. We can then make words and communicate by combining the letters of the alphabet into words, sentences, and paragraphs. Just as the alphabet is helpful in learning a language, the divinities of the chakras are helpful in spiritualization of the cognitive, conative, and affective aspects of consciousness. Then, just as the letters disappear, the divinities with form also vanish when the formless divinity is reached.



The 7 Chakra'S (Below in order)