Harness the Energies of Your Chakras by Bobbi Dempsey

In Eastern medicine, the chakras are seven energy centers situated along the spine in what is called the subtle body. Practitioners of Eastern medicine treat the subtle body as well as the gross physical body and see the chakras as very important to the overall health of the individual. Each of the chakras is associated with one of the basic core energies that we work with in life. The energy that flows through them and up the spine is called kundalini energy. There are symbols, colors, sounds, elements, emotional drives, and gestures associated with each chakra. As you extend your practices of tantra and other teachings relating to the body, you begin to see where you flow and where you get stuck in life. As you learn to sense the energies in your various chakras through tantric practice, you can discover where your life energies are not flowing, where you are stuck, and where you need to put your attention in order to revitali e yourself.

The seven chakras of the body. The !irst "hakra# $uladhara The pelvic area at the perineum is where the first chakra resides. It represents being grounded and secure in the basic physical comforts of life# food, shelter, and the needs of our animal natures. Its element is Earth, and its color is red. A secure first chakra enables us to feel confident in our abilities to care for ourselves. %e can hold a &ob that brings us enough money to survive. %e have a realistic concept of our physical body and its needs and a sense of being grounded.

The 'econd "hakra# 'vadhishthana The genital area is the seat of the second chakra. It represents our sexual urges and fantasies, creativity, and procreation. Its element is water, and its color is orange. 'ensations, pleasure, sexuality, and emotions are all associated with this chakra. %hen this chakra is open and healthy, we are likely to experience stable emotions, gracefulness, and self(acceptance. The Third "hakra# $anapura This chakra is situated at the solar plexus, or navel area, of our body. It represents our power, will, energy, authority, and longevity. Its element is fire, and its color is yellow, like the sun. Ego identity and self(esteem are the products of a healthy third chakra. "onfidence, reliability, and autonomy without domination and manipulation produce the fire necessary to live a powerful yet compassionate life. %hen you have butterflies in your stomach, they may indicate a sign of excitement or fear. This is a temporary disturbance in the third chakra. The !ourth "hakra# Anahata The chest area ) specifically the heart ) is the home of the fourth chakra. It represents our heart and all that is associated with it# sharing, love, service, compassion, and devotion. Its element is air, and its color is green. The heart is often considered the seat of the soul because when it is open it embodies the *ualities &ust mentioned. %e can all recogni e the times when our heart feels shut down. This tends to happen when we are mad, hurt, pitying ourselves, or when we don+t feel loved. %e actually can feel it as a stuck or tight area in the chest. ,ealousy has been called the green(eyed monster, and in fact the heart chakra is represented by the color green. %e say that our heart aches when we feel the emotions associated with this chakra. The !ifth "hakra# -ishuddha This is the throat area of the body. It represents knowledge and speaking the truth of that knowledge. Its element is ether, or space, and its color is violet. The throat chakra builds upon the knowledge learned from the previous four chakras. It takes all that we know and have learned and dares to synthesi e and help us speak what we know. The 'ixth "hakra# A&na .ocated at the pineal gland or third(eye area of the forehead, the sixth chakra represents enlightenment and self(reali ation. It is beyond the elements, so it has no element. Its color is bluish(white. 'elf(mastery, intuition, and insight are signs of an open sixth chakra. 'ymbolic and archetypal meaning is integrated into self(reflection. %e can move to and through old, recurring patterns in our lives when our sixth chakra is healthy. This chakra often opens up through a spiritual emergence or awakening. The 'eventh "hakra# 'ahasrara

This chakra is at the top of the head located at the fontanel, that area where the soft spot is located on a baby+s head. It is the open conduit to /od and the guru within. Immortality is achieved at this level. It is the realm of saints and of holy men and women throughout the ages. /olden white light and a lotus flower with a thousand petals are the symbols of this uppermost chakra. A supremely conscious human being exhibits compassion, self(awareness, mindfulness, and awareness of the world. 'uch a person has a highly evolved seventh chakra.

The word chakra is derived from the 'anskrit word meaning wheel. If we were able to see the chakras 0as many psychics, in fact, do1 we would observe a wheel of energy continuously revolving or rotating. "lairvoyants perceive chakras as colorful wheels or flowers with a hub in the center. The chakras begin at the base of the spine and finish at the top of the head. Though fixed in the central spinal column they are located on both the front and back of the body, and work through it. Each chakra vibrates or rotates at a different speed. The root or first chakra rotates at the slowest speed, the crown or seventh chakra at the highest speed. Each chakra is stimulated by its own and complimentary color, and a range of gemstones for specific uses. The chakra colors are of the rainbow2 red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The si e and brightness of the wheels vary with individual development, physical condition, energy levels, disease, or stress. If the chakras are not balanced, or if the energies are blocked, the basic life force will be slowed down. The individual may feel listless, tired, out of sorts, or depressed. 3ot only will physical bodily functions be affected so diseases may manifest, but the thought processes and the mind may also be affected. A negative attitude, fear, doubt, etc. may preoccupy the individual. A constant balance between the chakras promotes health and a sense of well being. If the chakras are opened to much, a person could literally short circuit themselves with too much universal energy going through the body. If the chakras are closed, this does not allow for the universal energy to flow through them properly which may also lead to dis(ease. $ost of us react to unpleasant experiences by blocking our feeling and stopping a great deal of our natural energy flow. This affects the maturation and development of the chakras. %henever a person blocks whatever experience he is having, he in turn blocks his chakras, which eventually become disfigured. %hen the chakras are functioning normally, each will be open, spinning clockwise to metaboli e the particular energies needed from the universal energy field. As already mentioned any imbalances that exist within any chakra may have profound effects upon either our physical or emotional bodies. %e are able to use our *uart crystals and gemstones to re(balance all our chakric centers and once the chakra has been properly balanced then our body will gradually return to normal. The reason why crystals and gemstones are wonderful and powerful healing tools are because of what science calls its pie oelectric effect. 04ou can see this effect in the modern *uart watches1. "rystals and gemstones respond to the electricity that is coursing through our body, and if the

energy is sluggish, the constant electrical vibrations of the stones will help to harmoni e, balance, and stimulate these energies. THE SEVE !"#$% CH"&%"S 'irst Chakra ( %oot 'tudying the individual chakras begins with the root chakra, called $uladhara in 'anskrit. The root chakra is located at the base of the spine at the tailbone in back, and the pubic bone in front. This center holds the basic needs for survival, security and safety. The root chakra is powerfully related to our contact with the Earth $other, providing us with the ability to be grounded into the earth plane. This is also the center of manifestation. %hen you are trying to make things happen in the material world, business or material possessions, the energy to succeed will come from the first chakra. If this chakra is blocked an individual may feel fearful, anxious, insecure and frustrated. Problems like obesity, anorexia nervosa, and knee troubles can occur. 5oot body parts include the hips, legs, lower back and sexual organs. The colors used for this chakra are red, brown and black. The gemstones are /arnet, 'moky 6uart , 7bsidian, and 8lack Tourmaline. 37TE# A man9s sexual organs are located primarily in his first chakra, so male sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as physical. A women+s sexual organs are located primarily in her second chakra, so female sexual energy is usually experienced primarily as emotional. 8oth chakras are associated with sexual energy Second Chakra ( Be))y *Sacra)+ The next chakra or second chakra is often referred to as the belly or 0sacral1. It is located two inches below the navel and is rooted into the spine. This center holds the basic needs for sexuality, creativity, intuition, and self(worth. This chakra is also about friendliness, creativity, and emotions. It governs peoples sense of self(worth, their confidence in their own creativity, and their ability to relate to others in an open and friendly way. It9s influenced by how emotions were expressed or repressed in the family during childhood. Proper balance in this chakra means the ability to flow with emotions freely and to feel and reach out to others sexually or not. If this chakra is blocked a person may feel emotionally explosive, manipulative, obsessed with thoughts of sex or may lack energy. Physical problems may include, kidney weakness, stiff lower back, constipation, and muscle spasms. 8elly body parts include sexual organs 0women1, kidneys, bladder, and large intestine. The main color used with this chakra is orange. The gemstones are "arnelian Agate, 7range "alcite and Tigers Eye.

The Eight Human Ta)ents

General Overview of the Chakra System

!rom /urmukh with "athryn $ichon,
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First Chakra Area of the Body: Organs of Elimination Human Talent: Acce tance Color: !ed Shadow Emotion: !esentment" !igidity Element: Earth Second Chakra Area of the Body: #he Se$ual Organs Human Talent: Creati%ity Color: Orange Shadow Emotion: &assionate mani ulation" 'uilt Element: Water Third Chakra Area of the Body: (a%el Center Human Talent: Commitment Color: )ellow Shadow Emotion: Anger" 'reed Element: *ire Fourth Chakra Area of the Body: Heart Center Human Talent: Com assion Color: 'reen Shadow Emotion: *ear" Attachment Element: Air Fifth Chakra Area of the Body: #hroat Human Talent: #ruth Color: +lue Shadow Emotion: Denial" Abru tness Element: Ether Sixth Chakra Area of the Body: #hird Eye &oint Human Talent: ,ntuition Color: ,ndigo Shadow Emotion: Confusion" De ression Element: (one

Seventh Chakra Area of the Body: Crown of the Head Human Talent: +oundlessness Color: -iolet Shadow Emotion: 'rief Element: (one Eighth Chakra Area of the Body: #he Electromagnetic *ield .Aura/ Human Talent: !adiance Color: White Shadow Emotion: (one Element: (one )ou will notice that the first fi%e chakras are each associated with an earthly element 00 earth" water" fire" air" and ether1 Most eo le recogni2e the first four elements" but are unfamiliar with the term 3ether13 Ether is a subtle" hea%enly energy" beyond the earth1 As we mo%e u the ladder of chakras" into the higher mental and s iritual realms" there are no longer earthly elements associated with these chakras1 Chakra Imbalances 4ust" anger" greed" ride" and attachment are human 5ualities that result from the imbalance of the eight energy centers called chakras1 When these imbalances settle in" we often e$ erience mental or hysical roblems1 &eo le often come to me with emotional blocks in a certain chakra that ha%e manifested in the creation of a hysical illness1 #he idea that certain emotions and talents li%e in certain areas of our bodies is not a new one" but , do think some eo le ha%e taken this too far" and assume that if they get sick it is somehow their own fault1 #his is a negati%e way of looking at this henomenon" and does more harm than good when it comes to healing our bodies and s irits1 )our disease is not your fault1 ,llness is art of the whole learning e$ erience of life" and e%erybody goes through it1 #hat6s what it means to be mortal1 Taking an ctive !ositive "ole in #ealing $ourself See your body as 'od6s erfect gift to you" for it is in lo%ing and a reciating our body that we begin the ath to consciousness1 #he eight greatest talents of humankind are located in the eight chakras" the eight ma7or ower areas of the body1 #he Eight Human #alents are the gifts of 'od that make us different from all other creatures on earth1 Ha iness is your birthright1 #he use and culti%ation of these eight talents are keys to the ha iness that 'od wants for you1 #a%%iness is $our &irthright Our bodies are gifts from 'od1 We need them to be here1 *or it is in lo%ing and a reciating our bodies that we begin the ath to consciousness1 Ha iness is your birthright1 O ening" or balancing all your chakras is the key to that ha iness1

The very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our life is towards happiness. 00#he Dalai 4ama ,t is nearly im ossible to balance these eight ower centers erfectly to bring out their talents e%ery day of your life1 +ut don6t worry" erfection isn6t the goal1 #he goal is to become aware of the energy emanating from each chakra and to be able to call u on it when you need it1 4et6s say you6re called on to make a resentation at a board meeting1 )ou6ll need to shift into the fifth chakra located at your throat to communicate your ideas clearly" and the third chakra to gi%e your resentation the s ecial em hasis and unch of commitment1 ,f an angry coworker blows u o%er the smallest incon%enience" don6t meet fire with fire1 #ry meeting her with your fourth chakra" using com assion to heal the fear and insecurity behind her outburst1 Our bodies are like com le$ worlds within worlds1 We know where they begin and end" and yet they are %ast and full of mysteries which we may ne%er understand1 (o machine has e%er been de%ised by a human that is as com le$ or artful as our own human body1 #he ancient system of chakras is a way to understand oursel%es1 #here is an incredible amount of subtle interaction going on all the time1

, ha%e chosen s ecific 8undalini )oga e$ercise se5uences and meditations to hel you de%elo the human talent that lies hidden within each chakra1 , suggest you choose one or two" and try them for three minutes at least1 , always suggest that students begin trying any meditation for three minutes" and increase it to se%en" then ele%en" e%entually working u to thirty0one minutes1 )ou can see im ro%ement by committing to doing the meditation for a longer eriod of time1 The life of a yogi is to manifest a beautiful, bountiful and wonderfully blissful tomorrow. That's a yogi. 00)ogi +ha7an #he reason for these s ecific lengths of time has to do with the numerological significance of each number in the 8undalini )oga tradition1 #he greater the amount of time" the greater the benefit1 ,n 8undalini )oga" we often do mo%ements twenty0si$ times1 +ecause we ha%e twenty0 si$ %ertebrae" twenty0si$ is an im ortant number to us1 *or a greater challenge" you can increase the number of re etitions of an e$ercise to fifty0four or e%en one hundred and eight if you really want to see faster rogress9 ,t6s not what you do" but the courage and commitment that you bring to what you do1 'editation( Clearinghouse of the 'ind Meditation is not about erfecting or attaining anything1 &eo le think they need to go into a trance or be in an altered state to feel they6re really meditating1 #hat can and does ha en" but meditation is actually the clearinghouse of the mind1 Our minds release a thousand thoughts er

wink of the eye1 :ust watch these thoughts as you might watch an ocean wa%e" not remembering or diagnosing them as they come and go1 #he real gift is to sit in the middle of all those thoughts" and react to not a one1 8ee returning back to your breath" or maybe the sound you6re making or the osition of your body1 8undalini Meditations usually consist of breath or sound atterns and some s ecific ositions" so you ha%e lenty on which to concentrate1 Each thought can become an emotion, and a feeling. And with each emotion and feeling, some of them become desires, and to be completed they take up all of your life energy. But if you use every thought and pass it through the intelligence and test it with your consciousness, you shall be successful, doesn't matter what. That's a simple secret of life. 00)ogi +ha7an &reathe Freely When there6s an emergency 00 for e$am le" if someone is calling from a hos ital 00 we6ll say" 3Okay" take a dee breath" and slow down13 When you don6t allow yourself to breathe" you deny yourself the %ery gift of life1 ,n yogic terms" we belie%e that the life force is the 3 rana"3 which comes to us through the breath1 Allowing yourself to take in enough breath is usually the first thing you need" and it6s usually the first thing to go1 +reath is free for the taking" but we6re often %ery miserly in the way we dole it out to oursel%es1 ,t6s not logical" but we all do it1 +efore , learned this articular technology for meditation" , e$ erienced the frustration of being told to sit and 3meditate"3 ha%ing no idea what that meant1 ,6m so glad that , now ha%e s ecific tools and techni5ues that make meditation less mysterious and more ractical1 ,f you want to make a real change and de%elo the talent in any chakra" , suggest you do a meditation for that ower center for forty days" for whate%er length of time feels comfortable1 )ou can start with a shorter time and then increase the time during the forty0day eriod1 ,f you 7ust aren6t u to it one day" you can go back to a three0minute eriod for that day so you don6t ha%e to break your forty0day commitment1 *orty days has historically been a significant time eriod in many world religions1 ,n the Old #estament it rained for forty days and forty nights1 ,n Christianity there are the forty days of 4ent1 *orty0day cycles are %ery im ortant in the Sikh religion as well1 &erha s this is because your hysical body renews all the cells in your bloodstream e%ery forty days1 *or whate%er reason" forty days has always been a mystical eriod of time1 So you see" there are many ways to use these tools1 , don6t want you e%er to feel that the one you ick is not good enough1 ,t doesn6t matter if you do something for three minutes or for thirty0 one minutes 00 it6s all good1 ,n this work" it is not what you do" but the focus and de th you bring to it1 Of course" it is my dee est rayer that after you do this work e%en on the smallest le%el" you will see real im ro%ement in your life" and you will be ins ired to de%ote more time to using these life0changing tools1 ,n a lifetime of teaching" , ha%e seen the technology of 8undalini )oga and Meditation create miracles of healing1 ,f you want healing on any le%el of your life and you are willing to do the work" you will see miracles" too1

#he first chakra" which contains the human talent of acce tance" encom asses our organs of elimination1 Here we find foundation" security" and habit1 #he second chakra" which contains our re roducti%e organs" is where we find the human talent of creati%ity1 ,n the third chakra" we come to the solar le$us area" the stomach" and many of the internal organs" such as the li%er and the s leen1 #his area is the center for energy" for world ower" for a sense of control and coordination1 ,t is ruled by the element of fire1 Of these chakras 00 the first" second" and third" which make u what we call the lower triangle 00 the third is the most subtle1 ,t is the dri%ing force to act and to com lete the conce tual i2ation" the %isuali2ation that we ha%e in our li%es1 ,t is where we find the human talent of commitment1 ,n the heart center" the fourth chakra" we find com assion1 #he throat area" the fifth chakra" is the art of the body in which we literally 3find our %oice13 #his chakra houses the human talent of truth1 #he si$th chakra is classically located at the oint between the eyebrows" which yogis refer to as the 3third eye oint"3 and contains intuition1 #his is where we find our sense of hysical %ision" and our e$trasensory talent of %ision as well1 #he se%enth chakra is located at the to of the head1 #he e$act area is where the tiny endocrine organ" known as the ineal gland" is found near the crown of the head" where the soft s ot on a newborn baby6s head is located1 #his chakra contains the human talent of boundlessness1 ,t is the s iritual center of our hysical body1 #his e$ erience of boundlessness has many names in many world religions1 , chose the word 3boundlessness3 to describe this s iritual connection" without the s ecific association of any articular religion1 #he last chakra encom asses what is referred to in yogic science as the electromagnetic field1 ,t is our aura" a field of energy surrounding our hysical body that makes u the eighth chakra1 Western science has ro%ed the e$istence of this field as a hysical henomenon1 #he human talent that li%es in this chakra is that of radiance1 As you can see" each energy center has a rofound im act on our li%es1 At any gi%en time" we may lose touch with one or another of them" become imbalanced and feel 3off13 #he ur ose of this book is to find ways to connect" strengthen" and balance each of these centers on a daily basis1 #his rocess is sometimes referred to as 3balancing the chakras13 ,t is the %ery ur ose of our li%es; it is a constant and worthwhile rocess1 If you ever want to be right in your life, bring yourself into balance. The oy of life, the happiness of life, is in balance. 00)ogi +ha7an

&alanced Chakra Ex%ressions When we are unbalanced in our chakras or energy centers" we use those e$ ressions like" 3,6m ha%ing an off day"3 3,6m ha%ing a bad hair day"3 3(othing seemed to go right today13 ,f the chakras are balanced" you6ll hear e$ ressions like" 3,t was such a great day"3 3,t was such a miraculous day1 #hings went so smoothly today93 And that comes when e%erything is lined u and the energy is flowing throughout your whole body1 )oga is the science of breath and angles1 ,t is an ancient science" ut together by our wise elders" who were in tune with the energy field of the uni%erse and how it manifests through our hysical bodies1 When we study yoga" we learn to lace our arms" hands" and fingers" and the body itself into %ery s ecific ostures" creating certain angles1 Combined with owerful breathing techni5ues" these ostures can roduce ama2ing changes in our syche9 Before us the sages have laid the path. !e are taking our first step. 00)ogi +ha7an Stretching for $our #ealth )oga is similar to what kee s most animals fit1 One only has to watch the stretching e$ercises that a cat does" and then see her magnificent body in action as she chases a bird" to understand that the systematic stretching and rela$ation of our muscles can kee us fit for life1 ,n our uni5uely human ca acity to connect mo%ement with breath and s iritual meaning" yoga is born1 #he translation of the word 3yoga3 is 3 union13 #his union of breath and mo%ement has as its ultimate goal the harmonious merging of body" mind" and soul into the uni%ersal energy surrounding us1 We refer to it as the 3 ractice of yoga"3 and that is what we do in the 8undalini )oga classes1 +ut the real yoga is how you take what you6%e learned in class and li%e it out in the world1 &eo le who are new to yoga ask me" 3,s it hard< Do , ha%e to be some kind of athlete<3 Oftentimes" they gi%e u on the %ery idea of yoga before they6%e e%en tried it" because they assume that it is something that dancers and acrobats do1 , ha%e students who are world0class athletes" and students who are am utees" or ara legics" or cardiac rehab atients1 Absolutely anyone can do this yoga" and e%eryone will be challenged by it" too1 And e%eryone , ha%e e%er seen attem t it" e%en on the smallest le%el" has been changed1 +ut lease" if you ha%e a medical condition" consult your doctor or chiro ractor if you are unsure if your body is ready for a new challenge1 )ogic technology is not necessarily a substitute for medical ad%ice or attention; one needs to be sensiti%e when dealing with the com le$ities of the body1 Once you are aware of your limitations" then be sensiti%e and get going9 )ot *istening to the 'onkey 'ind As to 3,s it hard<3 00 yes" it is1 ,n %arious ways1 Sometimes it6s hysically hard" sometimes it 7ust annoys a art of your mind" what we sometimes call the 3Monkey Mind13 #he Monkey Mind is the art of your mind that doesn6t want to consider the higher 5uestions of life1 While the monkey might be asking" 3Where is my ne$t banana<3 the human is asking" 3Where6s the ne$t

doughnut" cigarette" or mocha latte<3 And the Monkey Mind will lie to you" to make sure you kee the bananas or the mocha lattes coming its way1 ,t will tell you that this yoga you are doing is tedious" ointless" silly1 )our Monkey Mind can make the yoga seem harder than it is" because it doesn6t want to change1 So our Monkey Mind will tell us to turn away from things like yoga" things that ortend change and seem 3hard13 , think we are at a oint in history at which we want things to come easily1 We ha%e come to %alue easiness1 We want a ill that will fi$ e%erything1 We 7ust want it taken care of" we want to be fi$ed" and we want it now1 We want our li%es to be ain0free" and the li%es of our children to be ain0free1 +ut what are we really looking for when we try a new diet or a new drug or a new religion< We get discouraged when things aren6t easy and erfect1 8undalini )oga can be challenging" but unlike a ainkiller" it6s ur ose isn6t to mask our ain1 ,t heals our ain1 There is no freedom which is free. 00)ogi +ha7an , know" because , ha%e been that erson seeking1 , s ent a great deal of my life searching for the easy" ain0free fi$1 ,n my early twenties" as a flower child in the Haight" , became addicted to diet ills" because that seemed like the ain0free ath to freedom1 Of course" it was not1 !ain is !art of the +eal When , think back to that time" , was so sure someone must ha%e the answer1 , wanted someone to tell me how to make my life ain0free1 4ooking back" , can6t imagine who , thought got through their entire li%es and managed to a%oid the ain1 (ow , reali2e there is not now nor has there e%er been a single erson on this lanet who has successfully a%oided the ain of being human1 &ain is art of the deal1 ,n fact" the enlightened beings who ha%e graced this lanet dealt with the ain of humanness" and it is usually the main oint of their story1 #his is true with :esus" with +uddha" with Moses" with 'andhi1 How did , think , could get around it< (ow since , acce t ain as art of the human bargain" , am also free to acce t the serenity , belie%e is my natural state of being1 'od wants each of us to li%e in a state of serenity1 Serenity" which encom asses ha iness and 7oy" also allows for ain and sorrow" because serenity is a state of being that acce ts all of our states without 7udgment1 Serenity is the state of being that e$ists when we are in balance" when we know our lace in the uni%erse" when we are truly able to acce t 'od6s will for us1 ,t was the study of 8undalini )oga and Meditation that taught me about balance and serenity" taught me how to 5uiet my chattering Monkey Mind" taught me how to focus on and be grateful for each breath , take1 "e,!atterning 'ind and &ody As , began to learn this yoga" , began to esca e the illusion , could or e%en wanted to a%oid ain1 , did begin to see ain" discomfort" and e%en sim le annoyance" as the learning o ortunities and blessings that they are1 , still don6t always see the traffic 7am as 3a growth o ortunity13 At first" unconsciously" , may mistake it for a com laining o ortunity1 And then

sometimes the traffic 7am" or the grocery line" or any other daily test sends me directly into im atience1 , start thinking about whose fault it is that ,6m stuck in traffic" or how , shouldn6t ha%e to be dealing with this1 8undalini )oga and Meditation ha%e hel ed me to re0 attern my body and my mind" so that , don6t stay in the illusion of 3why me3 5uite as long" and e%en when ,6m in it" , remember that 3this too shall ass13

:undalini yoga can be challenging, but it can also bring such ecstasy. 7nce you get past the pain or the discomfort or even the simple annoyance, there can be such bliss and &oy in the breath and the movement. 'omeone sent me this story that so perfectly summed up the paradox of how challenging experiences make us stronger. One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon, and a man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he e pected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and e pand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. !either happened" In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. #hat the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle re$uired for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening was %od&s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are e actly what we need in our life. If %od allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. #e would not be as strong as we could have been. #e could never fly. I asked for Strength ... 'nd %od gave me (hallenges to make me strong. I asked for #isdom ... 'nd %od gave me )roblems to solve. I asked for )rosperity ... 'nd %od gave me Brain and Brawn to work. I asked for (ourage ... 'nd %od gave me *anger to overcome. I asked for +ove ... 'nd %od gave me Troubled people to help. I asked for ,avors ... 'nd %od gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted I received everything I needed. I &ust love that story, because I asked /od for a way to avoid pain, and /od gave me :undalini 4oga. As you begin to read, know that each of these eight energy centers already lives within you, each of the chakras is like that butterfly trying to be born out of its cocoon. The whole process of learning is really the process of uncovering and rediscovering what we already know. That is the process we will undergo together. I know by the end of this &ourney we will see our eight glorious human talents begin to thrive. %e humans are magnificent creatures. This is the perfect time for us to celebrate and nurture our Eight =uman Talents together. 7ur bodies are the means by which we come to know and understand our spiritual connection to the Infinite. ,ohn 7+<onohue, gifted poet of the spirit, sums up this relationship beautifully in the "eltic poem from his book 'nam (ara- ' Book of (eltic #isdom. A 8lessing !or The 'enses $ay your body be blessed. $ay you reali e that your body is a faithful and beautiful friend of your soul. And may you be peaceful and &oyful and recogni e that your senses are sacred thresholds. $ay you reali e that holiness is mindful, ga ing, feeling, hearing, and touching. $ay your senses gather you and bring you home. $ay your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here. $ay the Eros of the Earth bless you. (opyright . /000 %urmukh with (athryn 1ichon