Tantrik Q and A

TANTRA LESSON THREE –
Yogic Anatomy

1. Q I feel slowly my perception of prana is increasing. I read in one of the Q&As someone was talking about the difference between the physiological sensations in the body versus the perception of consciousness. Could you say anything more about this, please?

A Physiological sensations tend to have emotional content while prana is without emotions. Consciousness is the directing of awareness. This is done by thought; behind it is third kosha of mind’s prana. It is what directs thoughts and perceptions it precedes all awareness of anything both inner and outer. Prana exists on koshas 2-4, becoming more subtle as your awareness moves from prana to mind and thought to wisdom. The latter feels like it is given to you not coming from you. That is what distinguishes 3rd from 4th kosha. Chakras in the 2nd kosha spin (the literal meaning of chakra) when desire is increased; when the mind is detached from desire then spins go slower and awareness moves to 3rd kosha. With this thoughts are clearer and prana subtler chakras involute (like a flower closing at night then opening to desires later on. By continuing this inward awareness one naturally moves through the cycle Patanjali describes as asana-pranayama-pratyahara in chapter II, 46-55.

2. Q With respect to creating a sacred space, when we moved into this home at the beginning of this year, I decided to set it up in keeping with the Indian version of feng shui -- vaastu principles of placement ...so the north side of most rooms has a sacred space. Our home is small, so I practice in our living room. My altar is movable and during my morning practice, I move the altar to the north corner of this space. This corner is also the entry way into the living room...but during my morning practice it is a sacred space. I think for the moment, this is the best that I can do.
A That is fine spirit is omnipresent our mind isn’t.
3. Q I have gone back to the first three Tantrik lessons to experience and learn more about energy. I think that I am able to discern the prana in me at times. This energy is subtle and flows more easily through the left side of my body than the right where sometimes there is a block (pain) at my hips. I was reading Robert Svoboda’s “Ayurveda for Women” and he described pain as an imbalance in vata. I do tend to have a vata imbalance and recently it was exacerbated by a lot of air travel; so I am taking balancing measures such as drinking vata pacifying tea infusions and reducing vata promoting foods. I have also asked my body to help to guide me in working with this pain and actually this seems to be helping. I am going to move on to lesson 4 to continue to work with this block. In addition to this energy, I also experience other types of energy. One type is vibrant, dynamic and forceful; it occurs when I am meditating on someone and there is a "connection" and I feel like we have melted. Is this also prana?
A Yes
4. Q When I was meditating on you and giving thanks for your guidance, I felt a sweet soft energy emanating from my head and flowing over my body...when I was reading Robert Svoboda’s “Ayurveda for Women”, there is a description of ojas as a thick band of golden-yellow light that covers the whole body and radiates out into space...is that what I experienced?

A Yes

5. Q I remember reading somewhere a statement you made about yoga and how it uses a different type of burning of calorie. I can’t remember where I read it. Can you point me in the right direction?

A The statement about calorie is a metaphor. Classical yoga and Tantra burns karma; exercise yoga burns only calories.

6. Q I continue to experience the usual fluid reactions down my thighs doing lesson 3.

A That is very good sign of increased ojas - spiritual elixir. Encourage yourself to be deepening this experience.

7. Q Reading the Tantrik notes, I have become more curious about chakras. My gut feeling seem to tell me that if I resolve the pain in my right hip (which happened recently), then my earlier knee injuries will heal better and right shoulder pain that seem to be recurring perhaps also resolve. Perhaps a latent muscle imbalance in the hips during my dance practice had caused these other problems. The reason is I have been reading that the sacroiliac is the centre of the body (also mentioned in the sacroiliac exercise). May I ask, which chakra does the hips correspond, is it the 1st or 2nd?

A Both hip joints are actually between 2 chakras. 1st chakra is pelvic diaphragm and 2nd is at your cervix.

8. Q What are the underlying issues with the second and first chakras? In websites some mention either and I want to be sure.

A It is not in a fixed location as subtle body is variable more so that the physical anatomy. Practice of the Yoni Mudra can lead you to finding the greatest source of energies and with practice you can feel how these 2 fluctuate.

9. Q The back of my tongue is white and I thought this may be a colon issue (vata imbalance?) Does the colon correspond to the same chakra as the hip?

A White means toxicity. Use a tongue scraper and consider doing an anti Kapha Diet which you can find in any Ayurvedic book. The colon does relate to the 2nd chakra but really it is not in the subtle body as in ayurvedic anatomy which is more gross than Yogic anatomy.

10. Q In the SYT book, you mentioned that emotions such as anger, fear are not negative but when they are denied they become toxic. What is the best way to deal with these emotions when they arise? Should we express them, or if not how can they be transformed?

A One should seek naturally arising emotions. All emotions can be suppressed when they are they often need cathartic processes – prolonged yogic breathing, being in nature, holding asanas long – to allow the pranas and emotions to find expression. Transformation of these qualities is the goal of these Tantrik lessons. Persist and by lesson 10 a significant change can be made and even the beginnings of stability. That is necessary for sadhana to truly show its potential.

Commentaries and insights from students

1. Student’s comment I started reading Prakashananda's biography, Agaram Bagaram Baba (sold on your website). It is giving me more understanding of the photo you gave me of the two of you and also your devotional energy. After waking at 4am and reading more, when returning to sleep I had a beautiful dream... I suddenly found myself in a mountainous region in India that was very crowded with small homes, rapid transit, street vendors, and a noisy bustling area within the mountains. I went into a home and saw an older heavyset woman. I could see that she needed comforting and I felt inclined to hug her. As we embraced she felt very soft and yielding, like a melting hug, and I could feel her lifetimes of suffering, but not in a tragic way, but as a natural part of life. Quietly, a flood of tears poured down my face and formed small pools of water on the floor. As I looked down, I could see that the tears were magnifying small grains of sand and pebbles on the ground. Then I woke up knowing I had dreamed something very powerful. Just sharing, but as always welcome your thoughts

Mukunda’s response Very lovely sharing. Is a natural sign of compassion growing in you and opening to all that is needed. Undoubtedly some out of body being was experiencing with you the power of your love. In dreams all sorts of beings come to us for blessings. We are a great boon to them. Swami Prakashananda and Baba Muktananda used to talk about this in his spiritual autobiography Play of Consciousness. This book explains the significance of many diverse spiritual experiences and the unfolding of Shakti from receiving Tantrik initiation. There are many dimensions of beings including those of Siddhas who have left the body and remain there to be a blessing to all worlds. In the same way we are also.

2. Student’s comment I was beautifully touched by all the Q and As and how their inquiries are similar to mine. I feel connected to Bhadra Kali too and I find the Bhadra kali Puja from your CD – Mukunda Chants - irresistible.....I am chanting it with you all the time!!!!

I started my first Tantrik lesson, and I find interesting that when I am dancing or teaching dance I feel the currents of energy and I redirect them to specific parts of the body. They feel pretty big in mass and weight; However when I am still they become small and I cannot totally tell where they are moving......they are hard to follow. Do you have any suggestions?

Mukunda’s response How sweet that you enjoy Bhadra Kali so much. It is most powerful and lovely to dance with also. In dancing that is a beautiful way to move prana as your Shakti. I often do this when yoga dancing to some favorite oldies. At this time is has mass indeed. In seated meditation the prana becomes subtler as it is seeking to go to deeper koshas. When so doing it is not operating from the chakras which are normal for physical activities. So meditation is learning how to refine and yet sustain the energy connection. It is definitely to be subtler unless it is performing a purification action (Kriya) upon you in such cases it will be more obvious and may create motions or emotions. Just continue to train with the Mudras given in the course and it will become clearer to you.

3. Student’s comment I must say that I have never felt as blessed as I do this moment. I am so thankful that you have led me to my heart, my inner guide; the more I rely on her for guidance, the more at peace I am. And we have been showered with such blessings lately. My husband, Paul, who was out of work, has received three job offers. We have decided to take the one in Bahrain...yet another opportunity to break free from attachments. Somehow, it is appropriate that I return to the region of my birth for a re-birth.

Mukunda’s response Congratulations I am delighted to hear of help coming on both material and spiritual worlds. That is sign of definitely good sadhana. Life should be easier from sadhana not harder.

4. Student’s comment Just reading makes the answer to Q3 me very emotional. Thank you for providing the sacred space for this. I long to be of service in the way you are, compassionate liberator, and be able to really feel what is guiding me, and know when it is. I can feel myself retreat from these longings when I ask myself "why do I want this" and then it switches to "what will I get out of it?" So I long to allow myself the space to just LONG.

Mukunda’s response Increase the longing. It is the longing that brings you close to your goal. Yoga Sutras I, 21 “For those who have an intense urge for Spirit, it sits near them, waiting.” Mostly practicing humility, asking for guidance and following what is given is the best. In this situation I would recommend more time listening to Om Namah Shivaya tapes and having the intention to meditate deeply when you have time for sadhana.