Daily Readings from the Works of Swami Venkatesananda


Insights and Inspirations Daily Readings Vol 2) : Hatha Yoga And The Chakras

January 22, 2025

Hatha Yoga texts describe several forms of elemental dharana (intense concentration) and the chakras which are tuning points for the different elements. They say that one who does such dharana (concentration) conquers such elements, so that the yogi is able to fly, to walk on the water and through fire! This may be true. But it is also possible that these elements have their own psychological factors. The earth-element represents grossness and coarseness as well as firmness and reliability. The water-element represents diffidence and lack of moral courage, as also compassion and unselfishness, adaptability and humility. The fire-element represents intense zeal as well as destructive and violent rashness. Air represents unsteadiness as also quickness of perception. Space represents an amorphous personality as well as limitless breadth of vision. Intense concentration upon them enables one to eradicate or to cultivate these qualities. Thus the practice of Hatha Yoga can be the very best aid to self-purification.

     The aim of Hatha Yoga is to enable one to be re-absorbed in cosmic consciousness. That is known as laya. The yogicontemplates each chakra with great intensity. Each chakra is in mandala which allows prolonged contemplation and which involves the adoration (bhakti) of the aspect of the divine presiding over each one of them. The radii of each chakra, representing the dissipation of the corresponding energy, are withdrawn into the central core of the bija. The energy is then invited to ascend to the next higher one. At each chakra, the seeker is absorbed into it. Symbolically, he becomes one with that element. When he contemplates the space-chakra, he becomes one with space, as it were. In the ajna chakra (eyebrow center), he experiences himself as the inner light (lightning).

     At each chakra, he realizes that the energy (prana) and the intelligence to dwell in the chakra (and therefore in the body) are beyond the 'me' or the ego-sense. At the anja he becomes closest to the 'beginning' of the spiral, the  bindu. From there it is God's or guru's grace that lifts him up to the bindu itself - for beyond the anja the assumed individuality does not exist.

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   Physical discipline helps mental discipline.

     Let each problem come. As you look at it you will see that each problem has its own solution on its own shoulders. We want the solution to walk in front of the problem!

 

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