ENERGY: CIRCULATION, CHANNELLING, FOCUSING. ENERG1A.TXT ******************************************************************** Anyone acquainted with *any* type of Eastern medical or mystic tradition will be familiar with the concept of energy and its circulation, channelling and focusing. Whether it's called Prana, Chi, Qi, Doshas, or more modern 'New Age' terms such as universal energy; many traditions recognize this *vital* energy, and the necessity of its balance within the body as microcosm and between lovers, during any Tantric or other spiritual/sexual path. Within the physical/Subtle body, the two types of energy are called, variously Ha-Tha (solar/lunar), Yin/Yang, Yab/Yum (Tibetan terms), or the 'flow of heaven' and 'flow of earth' which are all basically terms for the same thing. Most Eastern traditions, medical or mystical, recognize the necessity not only for balancing the forces, but for being able to circulate the energies within the body; to avoid its wearing out and to keep the body a fit vehicle for spiritual evolution; and to 'channel' the energies to the proper chakras--within the physical body, nerve plexuses located along the spine, within the Subtle Body, 'wheels' of energy with specific functions, colors, deities, and vibrations assigned to them--either to correct an imbalance in the body or spirit, or to gain power or control over the function represented. Channelling is done by focusing, enabling the Prana or vital energy to be retained in the chakra, or circulated through each successive chakra in turn, or alternately, from the body/mind/spirit of one partner to another during Tantric sex. Blockages in energy have been treated by Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese physicians with herbs, acupuncture, smudging techniques similar to those used by Amerind Shamans, and other methods. Sincere *faith healers* or *bodyworkers* have, from ancient to modern days, attempted to cure or clear energy blockages through the laying on of hands. Although 'televangelist' types have given this *faith* healing a bad name; modern science has now begun to recognize the effectiveness of hands-on healing, although the reasons for its effectiveness are still a matter of debate. The natural flow of energy through a man's or woman's body keeps body, intellect, and emotions in smooth operation. Any blockage of the flow will manifest in dysfunction in one or another of the above; such as a 'dragged-out' feeling, or the feeling that one's mind is 'scattered' or emotional flare-ups and lack of control. Thus, learning to harness and circulate the energy flow is not only important for those wishing to embark on a Tantric path, but for everyone. Continuous, rhythmic movements of the body will assist in the most basic energy flow: dancing, especially spontaneous 'sufi-dance' type, or ritualistic Orissi-type movements both work well. Hatha Yoga asanas and Pranayama are ideal, and indeed, were invented for just this reason. T'ai Chi, with its smooth, fluid movements, also works well. The modern physician is likely to concur in this: keeping the body moving will keep the energy flowing, slow down the aging and disease process, and impart health. Hatha asana and Pranayama, and similar eastern mind/body movements emphasize the 'conscious' linking of the movement of the body, mind and spirit. Hatha, Prana, and many meditative techniques should be practiced regularly in order to get a feel for the most basic type of energy circulation. It's long been known, even to the western world, that Indian Yogis are able, with sufficient practice, to attain the ability to consciously affect their breath-rhythm, heart rate, and blood pressure, those facets of the autonomic nervous system thought to be 'involuntary.' Modern psychological techniques such as 'biofeedback' or self-hypnosis are attempts to modernize the ancient Yogic traditions, with varying results. The Tantras and Samhitas teach that the 'vital' energy is stored in the 'power' or solar-plexus chakra. Although this chakra is traditionally associated with male/solar/upward flowing energy; while the down-turned crescent moon between the 'third-eye' and crown chakras with female/lunar/downward flowing energy; for the purposes of circulation within the physical body, the solar plexus chakra is the point of focus. Meditate and focus upon the solar plexus chakra, until you are able to 'see' the blazing inner sun, its 64 flames expanding and contracting. 'See' the vital energy contained within the sun, swirling to create a vortex of energy. Breath deeply (See *Prana* text on file here for more details of yogic breaths) and rhythmically, retaining the breath either at equal intervals or utilizing the 1:4:2 rhythm of inhale-retain-exhale, as in healing or 'joyous' breath. While the breath is retained, direct your complete, focused consciousness toward a single 'ray' of the inner sun, sending it through the Subtle Body's channels to each arm in turn; then each leg; then up and down the spine (*Mt. Meru* of the Subtle Body), opening each chakra from the 'root' (basic energy) to the crown, if possible. If one has an imbalance, or wishes to acquire the properties of one (or more) specific chakras, the solar flare should be concentrated on during the entire inhale-retain-exhale cycle with the mind trained on that chakra. Thus the vital energy will be 'stored' there. This assists, by the way, with both physical and spiritual blockages; as anyone who has experienced back pain, abdominal pain, or 'psychic blockages' will be able to verify. If you give yourself over to intuition, rather than intellect, you will be able to identify energy blockages and smooth flow with almost unbelievable ease. Many modern body-work traditions make use of this 'sensing' by sweeping the hands about the body in an arc, or by attempting to 'communicate' non-verbally with the 'patient.' It can be done for oneself as well. A simple start-up technique to give you a sense of your own body's vibrations is as follows: Begin by holding the palms of your hands as close together as possible without actually touching. Then, take the palms approximately 2" apart, and bring them back to the almost-touching position. Continue at 2" intervals, bringing them back almost together, until you have reached 8" apart. Then, slowly and with concentration, bring the palms more closely together, 2" at a time, until you regain your starting point of 'almost-touching.' Hold them in that position for 30-60 seconds or more, observing the feelings in and between your palms. You may feel heat, tingling, coolness, or some combination. This is an indicator of your own unique 'energy' field. To detect physical and/or emotional blockages or problem areas, stand; then move your own hands in sweeping gestures around your body, beginning at the head and continuing downward with a circular motion. 'New-age' doctrine tells that psychic or emotional trauma can be stored within the body, as well as physical trauma; and traditional Ayurvedic healing techniques tend to agree; as well as predate the so-called 'new age' thought by centuries: "The hand contains all healing balms and potions, integrating the whole body through the power of conscious touch. With these ten branches of the two hands, healers of disease stroke away all sickness through their soft caress." --ATHARVA-VEDA. Once the problem areas have been detected, a combination of breath technique and conscious meditative channelling can be used to 'unblock' them. Be warned, however, that if emotional trauma is truly unblocked and released, you're sure to feel much worse before feeling better: so it may help to have a supportive friend or professional assist if one does not have the requisite control of body/mind/breath. *HOWEVER* it's not recommended that this energy fix be attempted until one has attained some degree of mastery over Hatha/Prana/meditation in any case. For the Tantric couple, the energy circulation can be accomplished, one unto the other. Sexual union is an ideal time for energy circulation; however, I strongly recommend that a simple basic exercise be mastered as a couple before actually attempting circulation during lovemaking. The couple should lie, facing each other, the Yogi on his left side (to activate the solar breath, from the opposite nostril); the Yogini on her right side. *Pull* the breath in deeply (as in *Complete Breath* described more fully in Prana Text on file herein); noting the influx of vital energy upon inhalation; and concentrating upon any area of the body, or 'pressure point' that seems to impede the flow. As one partner inhales, the other should exhale; exchanging the solar and lunar breaths. Continue the side- by-side breathing cycle until not only one's own, but also one's *partner's* blockages are intuited. Do not ask for confirmation until after you are certain that you have detected sites of tension or impeded flow. Once the sites have been detected and confirmed, one partner unto the other, the couple can assist each other; thus performing an act of selfless service, and binding them more tightly together in a spiritual manner. The partners may take turns, or one may take an 'active' role and the other a 'passive,' perhaps the partner more fully attuned circulating his/her own energy as he/she assists the lover. The 'passive' partner, or 'recipient of the gift' should lie completely still, on his/her back, making little or no noise; allowing the 'active' or 'giving' partner to communicate intuitively. The active partner may sit beside the passive partner; but the ideal way is to straddle the recipient's body. This can be done by 'squatting' over the passive partner's body; or if the active partner is light (i.e., very slim), by actually squatting *on* the partner's body. Obviously, the active partner in this case would have to be quite light indeed, or the passive partner would be more likely to be squished than recharged! The active partner should place his/her palms, facing downward, over or on the solar plexus of the other, allowing the vital, fiery energy to flow into the palms. Once the palms have been 'charged' in this manner, the active partner should move them in a series of sweeping gestures, making *sure* to extend the fingertips, over the previously identified sites of tension or blockage. I understand that Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu use similar techniques to restore energy flow; but have no personal experience with these methods. The sweeping, extended, palm-downward gesture is called a *mystic pass* and has been used by hypnotists and psychic healers, as well as Yogis and Yoginis. It is *extremely* effective in channelling energy; keeping in mind that both partners must focus on the transmission and reception of the energy consciously and unwaveringly. The entire psycho-organism can be recharged in this way; including organs, tissues, bones, fascia, glands, emotions, and mental function. The active partner should recite a protective/focusing mantra: first aloud, then softly, under the breath, and finally mentally; such as AUM BHUR BHUWAH SWA--invoking the 'three realms:' the physical world, the next world, and Eternity. Complete breath, and especially breath retention, will lead to increasing awareness of energy flow. You will find that certain parts of the body and/or the mind feel 'tired' or 'scattered,' while others feel vital and 'awake.' Bringing consciousness to bear on the tired of scattered parts of the body/mind, utilizing prana and meditative visualization techniques should direct the flow of energy so that the 'tired' parts can be 'woken;' the 'scattered' parts 'gathered.' Energy is automatically roused and circulated during any sexual activity; however, with lack of conscious control, it is 'lost' or discharged through orgasm. *Awareness* and *concentration* are the keys to Tantric sexual energy circulation. Both partners can circulate energy between them at once; or if one is more experienced, he/she may take the active role, circulating the free flow of energy through him/herself and the partner. Once you become familiar with the feeling of free-flowing energy, within yourself and your partner, you can recognize and channel it. During lovemaking, while employing Tantric or traditional Yogic breath techniques, attain a state of vivid, lucid visualization of the Kundalini within the root chakra (for more information, see Kundalini Text on file herein). Maintain the image of the serpent power, swirling in an energy vortex, stimulating the male/female chakra, allowing the vital life force to combine with the sexual force, arousing the ultimate eroto-spiritual passions. Consciously lead Kundalini upward along the spine/Mt. Meru, to the solar plexus chakra, and see the inner sun blazing brilliantly as Kundalini swirls within. See the nerve channels of the Subtle body--the primary; Ida, Pingala, and Susumna, as narrow tubes through which the Kundalini-charged solar rays flow. Continue leading Kundalini upward, to the Heart Chakra. Allow the upward- turned Louts to open her buds, eminating purified emotional energy; sexual/spiritual love. Then use the power of the four aroused chakras to awaken the Throat Chakra, energizing it, allowing the free-flowing communication accessed therein to take place on a psychic/intuitive level between yourself and your partner. Draw the accumulated energy higher still, awakening the third-eye or forehead chakra, allowing yourself and your partner 'vision' and experience of timeless ecstacy. Then focus on the crescent moon, the lunar energy 'cooling' the fiery passions, allowing them to be distilled, the drops of wisdom flowing downward, enriching the soul, joining with the rays of the inner sun; bringing about inner union and union between the masculine and feminine contained in the Lingam and Yoni joined in the act of Tantric love. If you are able, coax Kundalini along to the crown chakra. As they say about orgasms, 'you know it when you've had one.' If the crown chakra, the thousand-petalled lotus, is opened during Tantric sexual union, you will *truly* experience yourself and partner as Shiva/Sakthi, and the spiritual bliss will be more than a thousand climaxes built one upon the other. This, of course, is the *goal* of Tantric union. It is not always accessible. In fact, even when attained, it is difficult for most, even advanced Yogis and Yoginis, to achieve with every Tantric sexual act. If, whether through some disturbance, lack of experience, or simple happenstance, the crown chakra is not able to be roused; then focus on the energy flow again, in the form of 'love yantras.' Use the fingertips, lightly, vibrating them slightly to keep the energy vibrant, and trace patterns of vitality across the partner's body; arms, legs, back, head, breasts, sexual organs. Open yourself to giving and receiving the energy; without thought to doubt or consequence. This love-yantra technique can be performed before the sexual act, as a sort of 'cosmic foreplay,' or during lovemaking itself. Be sure to stimulate the 'main' chakras, at the genitals, solar plexus, heart, and head. During close embrace, with Lingam and Yoni conjoined, the energies should converge and exchange naturally, body to body, soul to soul. As with any Tantric act, focus and intent will elevate the embrace from an act of simple 'genital sneezing,' to that of spiritual connection, with one another, and with the Infinite. "The vital essence courses through the body in invisible currents of swirling patterns. These are alike unto waves of sound, in an upward direction as the flames of the Fire, and in a downward directions as the rivulets of the Water." --SUSRUTA SAMHITA. AUM MANI PADME HUM. ------------------------------------------------------------------ D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, other sources as cited. (c) 1993 Rose Dawn Scott. This text is part of a Tantric file collection available through Modem Magick, (619) 447-5010. The author is also available via modem at the above number.