To: K-list
Recieved: 2004/01/29 00:43
Subject: [K-list] The experience of Energy theories
From: Macdocaz1
On 2004/01/29 00:43, Macdocaz1 posted thus to the K-list:
Yoga Kundalini theory verse Taoist Energy flow theory
There has been some discussion and debate over the months on the JSG over
differing energy theories as reflected in the Yogas, Buddhism and Taoism. I have
studied Taoism and Chinese medicine, as well as the Yogas of Patanjali, and I
have found it a bit confusing to hear one tradition (Taoism) claim energy
rises up the back and down the front, Chinese medicine claim energy moves like
rivers up and down the arms and legs, and the yoga tradition claims energy
(Kundalini) rises up the central canal of the spine (shashumna) and through all
seven chakras.
Since this JSG is really about experience and not about trying to cram our
experience into some canonical text, then maybe we should hear, or at least
listen to what others have to reported on this list.
Several people, myself included, have report a powerful jolt, like a strong
chill or an electric shock rising up the spine from the base and culminating in
the head. I believe this experience is consistent with the classic kundalini
description. And, no one on the JSG has reported the energy circulating or
descending like the Taoist model.
When I have the classic manifestation of kundalini which appears like a shock
wave of "energy" shooting up my spine I am most often in a deep state of
meditation where there is little ego identification, and the mind is very still,
and at the same time I am very alert. This condition of tranquility, priar to
the kundlini rush, seems to match up with the 3rd or 4th absorption state
(jhana) as decribed in the Pali canon.
Typically when the shock wave of energy rises up my spine, my awareness
domain goes through a kind of compression, then it expands to infinite proportions.
The state I find myself in after or during this shock wave, which has
sustained at times for more than an hour, seems to correspond to one of the arupa
jhanas, or non-material absorptions, which are characterized by merger into
infinite space or time or awareness domains.
In my experience there is nothing subtle about this form of Kundalini. For
me it is a little like what it must be like to be hit by a Mac truck at high
speed. In conclusion this above experience seems to correspond with the classic
Kundalini experience.
I have actually experienced two different modes of kundalini. I have the
experience of a kind of tame kundalini as well. Tame kundalini rises and keeps
my attention focused up through the fourth absorption (jhana). For me to enter
any of the deep non-material absorptions (arupa jhanas) seems to require, or
at least be accompanied by, fierce kundalini, or kundalini in its active or
powerful mode as mentioned above.
In my experience of the quiet mode of Kundalini it seems to rise through all
of the upper chakras, heart, throat, forehead and crown. But, I have never
experienced the Taoist concept of it coming back down and circulating. While
quiet kundalini doesn't seem to do loop-d-loops in my physiology doesn't mean It
doesn't in someone else's, so I wouldn't go so far to say it does or does not
in every other case.
There are other manifestation of energy that I have become aware of through
my meditation practice as well. I have observed an energy that exists on the
surface of my skin and seems to radiate out for several inches all over my
body. It is somewhat subtle, but I feel it at all times. And this "energy" does
not seem to circulate or move or fluctuate. This "energy" seems to correlate
with the concept of an aura.
Another manifestation of "energy" seems to be concentrated in my hands,
chest, throat forehead and top of head. It is much like the "aura" energy, but it
is much more prominent and not subtle at all. I have it as well all day long
every day, and like the aura it seems to become much more prominent during
meditation. This energy seems to correspond with the concept of the chakras,
with the note worthy exception of the energy in my hands being anomalous in the
chakra theory.
A few decades ago I studied acupuncture and various point system therapies.
Since I was a charismatic contemplative at the time, I developed the ability
to see and feel the acupuncture points and meridians of my body, as well as
those of my clients.
It is this energy that I have noticed circulate. But, I haven't observed it
rise up the back and down the front, as the Taoist priests claim. It seems to
go up and down the meridians in a much more complicated fashion, and a bit
like rivers running up and down the legs and arms. I have also noticed they
come in colors, and they seem to feed one into the next.
In conclusion there seems to be several manifestations of "energy" that occur
in the body. Some of these energies are clearly influenced by a
contemplative practice, such as kundalini and kriyas. Other energies, such as the
meridian system, seem to be related to the bodies physical health, although there
seems to some evidence that they can be manipulated by a contemplative practice
as well.
Best regards,
Jeff Brooks
Ecstatic Buddhism
A newsletter for ecstatic Buddhists
website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ecstatic_Buddhism/
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