Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is is licenced
for free non-commercial distribution only.
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** MAGICK 5 -- CHAKRAS AND MEDITATION ** 


  According to East Indian philosophy, man possesses seven major
*chakras* or psychic centers on his body. Each of these forms a
bridge, link, or energy transformer; changing pure (higher) energy
into various forms, and connecting the four bodies (ie. spiritual,
mental, astral, and physical) together.  The chakras are located
along the nadies (a network of psychic nerves or channels) and
follow the autonomic nervous system along the spinal cord. Chakras
correlate with major acupuncture points along the 'governing
vessel meridian' (acupuncture term).  The seven major chakras are
connected together by three major nadies which are parallel and
near each other. The middle nadi is called *sushumna* and it has
neutral characteristics. The nadi on the left (ie. nearest your
left hand) is the *ida* nadi which has yin characteristics. On the
other side of sushumna (nearest your right hand) is the *pingala*
nadi, having yang qualities.

  Chakras are visible to clairvoyant sight as varously colored
rotating circles or funnels. In the East they are described as
petaled flowers or lotuses. Sources disagree on the colors.
 
  The first chakra, located at the base of the spine at the
perineum is the *root chakra*, muladhara. It primarily relates to
the element of earth and to psychic smell.

  The second chakra, known as the *sacral center*, svadhisthana,
is located above and behind the genitals. Its dominant element is
water, and it is related to psychic taste.

  Third of the chakras is the *solar plexus*, manipura, located at
the navel and corresponding with the emotions and with the element
of fire; also with psychic sight (clairvoyance).

  The *heart chakra*, anahata, is the fourth chakra, located over
the heart and corresponding with the element of air, and also with
psychic touch.

  The fifth chakra is the *throat chakra*, vishuddha, located at
the base of the throat (thyroid) and corresponding with psychic
hearing (clairaudience).

  The remaining two chakras are very important. They relate mostly
to elevated states of consciousness. The *frontal chakra*, (or
'third eye') ajna, the sixth chakra, is located between, and
slightly above, the eyebrows. Ajna is the center of psychic powers
and can produce many psychic effects. Meditation on ajna is said
to cure nervousness.

  Finally, the *crown chakra*, sahasrara, located atop the head,
(pineal gland) is the seventh chakra. It is referred to as the
thousand-petaled lotus and corresponds with astral projection and
enlightenment.
 
  There are also many minor chakras throughout the body.  Each
chakra has a sound (letter) and a pitch which is sometimes used to
invoke it.
 
 
THE TATTVAS 
  Some occultists prefer to describe the magical elements as
tattvas according to the Eastern system. Notice that these symbols
and colors are generally different than the western symbols and
colors for the elements.
 
element             tattva              tattvic symbol 
=======             ======              ============== 
earth               prithivi            yellow square 
water               apas                silver crescent 
fire                tejas               red triangle 
air                 vayu                blue circle 
(spirit)            akasa               black oval 
 
 
YOGA 
  Yoga originated in India. It is a physical or mental
discipline designed to condition and invigorate the mind and body.
There are many kinds of yoga, but they may be generally divided
into three main types...
 
  Hatha yoga -- affect the mind through the body using physical
exercises; improve physical health and endurance.
 
  Raja yoga -- affect the mind through mental training; improve
concentration.
 
  Mantra yoga -- affect the mind through chanting and affirmation;
achieve relaxation.

 
MEDITATION 
  This is a much touted area of the occult. There are many
meditation techniques, and many claims made for the benefits of
meditation. Basicly, meditation has two functions -- relaxation,
and perhaps, improved concentration. There are two main types...
 
        1) concentration meditation (focusing), 
        2) insight meditation (mindfullness). 
 
  Most kinds of meditation are the concentrative type. One simply
focuses his attention upon a single physical object (such as a
candle flame); upon a sensation (such as that felt while walking
or breathing); upon an emotion (such as reverence or love); upon a
mantra spoken aloud or even silently; or upon a visualization (as
in chakra meditation, see below)...Concentration meditation is,
simply put, a form of self-hypnosis.
 
  A mantra (or mantrum) is one or more words or syllables which
are repeated -- often chanted -- aloud...A simple yet powerful
mantra is to vibrate the mystical word 'OM'. This mantra has long
been associated in India with the godhead/unity.  Use it to aid in
tuning into universal vibrations which promote feelings of
harmony, peace, and well-being. Use it before magick ritual to
'get into the mood' and afterward to 'dismiss the forces'. You
vibrate a mantra by saying it slowly aloud in a lower-pitched
voice than your normal speech, and a more or less constant pitch
as well. Let the sound fade at the end of the mantra. A powerful
one such as 'OM' will seem to vibrate the air around you. It
should be vocalized for 5-10 seconds and repeated a number of
times with a few seconds rest between each vocalization. Chanting
of mantras may cause slight dizziness from hyperventilation.
 
  The other main type of meditaiton -- insight meditation -- is
the analysis of thoughts and feelings in such a way as to cause
realization of the subjectivity and illusion of experience. This
is done in a effort to attain trancendental awareness. Such
statements as, 'This body is not me', fall under this category.
Buddhist meditations are usually of this type.
 
 
CHAKRA MEDITATION 
  There is a special type of concentrative meditation which we
will call 'Chakra meditation'. This is basicly Kundalini yoga --
the practice of causing psychic energy (kundalini) to flow up
sushumna, energizing the various chakras along the way. The
practice, considered dangerous by some, will produce deffinite
physiological sensations and psychological effects if continued
long enough. It should not be attempted by epileptics or persons
with an unstable mental or physical condition, or with heart
disease. Certain drugs and medications, such as those used to
treat epilepsy may retard progress. Although the technique is very
simple, it may eventually produce powerful results. Results may at
first appear hours after the practice during sleep. As each chakra
is energized by this practice, it is said to add occult powers
(sidhis), until at last the crown chakra is reached, and with it,
full enlightenment is attained. Sometimes kundalini awakens all by
itself.

  To practice this chakra meditation, you simply concentrate on
the chakras, beginning with the root chakra, and moving
progressively up, as you visualize psychic energy from the root
chakra traveling up shushumna and vivifying each higher chakra. As
we mentioned the chakras have certain properties associated with
them, so that this type of visualization may 'raise
consciousness', promote astral projection, and other things --
once you have reached ajna and eventually the crown chakra. You
might typically meditate in this fashion for 15 minutes to a half
hour a day. It might help to practice some hatha yoga or other
physical exercise in an effort to make the spinal cord 'more
flexible'. Diet may also affect the process.  The technique is
also similar to the Tibetan 'Tummo' meditation.  The rise of
kundalini is sometimes experienced as a 'vibration' or buzzing, as
light, or as heat.
 
 
HEALTH AND DIET 
  Certainly the way you treat your physical body will affect your
mind. In magick you want an alert mind. Therefore, your body must
be as healthy as you can keep it. Take care of your body. Exercise
regularly. eat a good diet (with vitamin supplements), and do not
consume anything which will have a negative effect upon the mind.
Drugs, smoking,, and alcohol should be restricted, or eliminated.
(The mind can create any condition which a drug can create.) A
good rule here is moderation in what and how much you consume.
(Most of this stuff is pretty obvious isn't it.) You may also want
to cut down on sugar and processed foods. Many occultists advise
dietary changes, expecially the non-eating of meat. We cannot deny
the physical, psychological, and spiritual effect which all foods
have. This effect may be described as the 'heaviness' factor of
foods. Various foods are so ranked in the chart, lighter to
heavier...
 
        1.  lettuce and other greens. 
        2.  fruits and most vegetables. 
        3.  wheat, rice, and other grains. 
        4.  nuts, beans, and other legumes. 
        5.  cheese, dairy products, including eggs. 
        6.  fish, seafood. 
        7.  chicken, poultry. 
        8.  beef, pork, other red meats. 
 
  Note that meats, especially red meats are the 'heaviest' foods.
Generally, foods which are harder to digest, or which are higher
in protein are 'heavier' than those which are not. Animal products
are heavier than plants. Foods high in carbohydrate (candy, bread,
starch) are heavy. However, the 'heaviness' of foods is not
directly related to the amount of caleries.

  What this means is that for various reasons, the heaviness of
food in your diet will affect your magical experiences. You may be
able to increase your psychic receptivity ('energy level') by
eating lighter foods, or by eating less. Conversely, emphasizing
heavy foods in your diet, or eating larger helpings, may help to
'bring you down to earth' should you 'rent the veil' too much.
These are generalizations, of course, and it may take a number of
days of dietary change before you notice much effect. I do not
advocate radical dietary changes, excessive fasting, or
malnutrition. Your good health is far more important in magick
than any temporary effect you get from prolonged starvation. A
change in diet will sometimes only produce a temporary effect,
until the physical body adapts to the change. Healthy natural
foods and lifestyle make it easier for us to be healthy, but
ultimately, good health is a mentual quality (attitude).
 
 
THE FOUR-FOLD BREATH 
  With physical exercise too, moderation is advised.  (You should
be cautious, or not attempt it if you have a respiratory or heart
condition. Check with your physician if in doubt, and don't
overdo.) One of the most useful physical exercises is pranayama,
or controlled breathing (actually a type of hatha yoga exercise).
For this and any other calesthentics or hatha yoga which you might
choose to do a 'kitchen timer' is suggested (many of these aren't
accurate for under three minutes, but are helpful for longer
periods).

  The main purpose of pranayama is to relax the body and mind.
There are many kinds of pranayama, but a simple one called the
'four-fold breath' will suffice. This consists of four short quick
inhallations, then four short quick exhallations; then repeat,
continuing until the allotted time is used up. It will take about
1 1/2 seconds for the four inhallations, and about 1 1/2 seconds
for the four exhallations; or about 3 seconds for the complete
in-out cycle ('rep' for repetition). There should be no strain of
any kind during your pranayama. You will probably notice a slight
dizziness, particularly at first, since the effect of pranayama is
to hyperventilate. Try sitting back in a chair with your eyes
closed when you do your pranayama.  Begin a minute a day for the
first week and gradually increase up to about five minutes a day.
If you do the pranayama befor your magical activity, it will help
you to get 'into the mood'.  It is also an excellent aid to
relaxation and tension release.  Pranayama should not be done
during heavy air pollution. Other exercises you might consider are
hatha yoga, calesthentics, walking or jogging.
 
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS 
1) What is a chakra? List them. 
2) Name the three major nadies. Which nadi is hot? 
3) What is pranayama? 
 
 
BOOK LIST 
Arthur Diekman, The Observing Self. 
W.Y. Evans-Wentz, Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines. 
Sandra Gibson, Beyond the Mind. 
King and Skinner, Techniques of High Magic. 
Swami Sivananda, Kundalini Yoga. 
John Woodroffe (pseud. for Arthur Avalon), The Serpent Power. 
 
======== 
Phil Hansford, 4/88 Mysteria (818) 353-8891 (modem) 
P.O. Box 83 Tujunga, CA 91042