Gurudev Chitrabhanu
The ancient seers spent their lives searching for the inner working of man. Their laboratory was man’s inner world. Their investigation depended on inner perception, concentration, and self-observation. They strove to be impartial observers of the processes of action, reaction, and interaction.
In order to be free of all outer distractions, they chose quiet mountaintops and caves for their places of meditation. They knew that one must be in balance if one wished to be able to see clearly the subtle interplay of man’s thoughts, emotions, dreams, and physical sensations.
They searched for the hidden cause behind their outer circumstances. Gradually, they understood that the atmosphere people created around themselves was directly related to the level of their own consciousness. For example, the kind of people we attract is determined by the invisible atmosphere we have constructed by our state of awareness at a given time. If we evolve away from that level to a new level of awareness, we will eventually witness a subsequent transformation in our outer circumstances and circle of friends.
In the course of their research, these wise people discovered a new spiritual world unknown to many people. This is the world of the Higher Self, the level of Pure Awareness. They knew that every individual possessed a higher Self and could, with practice, reach this pure level of awareness. They knew also that they could communicate with their fellowman from this pure self rather than from the uncertain level of changing desires and petty jealousies. They understood that the meaning and purpose of man’s life lay in the continuing evolution of his consciousness.
Therefore, all our activities all our practices are simply the means for our evolution. If we keep this idea in mind, all that we do in life will be connected to this purpose. Our activities will no longer be random and fragmented.
Now, the question is how do we evolve? What is evolution? Evolution is expansion. Whenever we expand, we are evolving. Our human form has evolved from a single cell into a multiplicity of cells. We have enlarged our structure. Now we must expand our consciousness and, in the process, maintain inner balance and harmony. We must free ourselves of all antagonistic feelings, all feelings of alienation. We can then begin to experience the tranquility and lightness of heart, which spring from our oneness with the universe.
We have been exploring a series of meditation in which we learn to focal on each energy center individually. In this way, we become familiar with our innate vitality. We know its several aspects, its best uses, and we learn to channel our energy appropriately.
We now go one step further and incorporate all seven centers in one meditation. Originally, this meditation was practiced out-of-doors on a mountaintop, or on seashore. Or any place from which the mediator could have an unobstructed view of the natural horizon. So, if you have the opportunity to be in the mountains or by the sea, you can follow the example of the ancient seers by meditating outdoors. If you are in the city or indoors, you may use your imagination to visualize a natural environment where there is a clear horizon.
The first step is to sit in the fresh air, someplace where the air is able to move freely. Secondly, begin by practicing prana yama breathing: inhale, retain the breath, exhale (For a description of prana yama breathing, see the fifth chapter.) This exercise can be repeated twelve times. The third step in this procedure is to follow this breathing exercise with the mantra hrim.[1] The sound of hrim, your own inner power, evokes the universal energy. The universe responds to your vibration.
The fourth step is to allow your gaze to rest on the ground right in front of you. Your eyes are half-closed. There is no force or tension; you are simply sitting in a relaxed mood and resting your gaze on the ground directly before you. Now, the fifth step: Slowly lifts your gaze to a middle point somewhere between where you are seated and the horizon. You may fix your eyes on some object or simply on a line of direction. Rest at this point of focus for 30 to 40 seconds. Then, the sixth step is to raise your gaze gradually to the horizon itself. In effect, you are stretching your vision to the limit, to the horizon line.
The seventh step is to bring your gaze slowly back first to the middle point, then to the ground directly before you; and finally, to close the eyes. The eighth step is to repeat this entire visual exercise in your imagination with your inner awareness. You have, in effect, absorbed your outer environment. You have brought your outer world into your inner world. This whole procedure takes seven to eight minutes. There is no haste, no time pressure.
Now, the vision which has been stretched to encompass the outer horizon is turned inward toward each center. Bring your inner attention to the first center. Feel and experience the center as you rest your inner gaze there. Then use the mantra for this center. Except for sohum, which is generally repeated silently along with the breath, these mantras may be either articulated or voiced inwardly. When you feel you have touched upon the essence of this center, move slowly to the next center. You are now climbing gradually upward through all seven centers.
Keep in mind that in this procedure, you look out before you look in. First observe your outward surroundings so that the desire to see the outside world will not remain in your mind and disturb you concentration. Then, look in before looking up. You turn your attention inward by beginning to focus on the centers which manifest your inner energy. Observe whether or not your energy is being used creatively and positively. Finally, look up. Looking up refers to your gradual movement upward toward finer and finer levels of awareness until you reach the highest level, consciousness of Self. As long as your gaze or your attention is downward, you will not be able to perceive this Higher Self, this divinity within.
As you move through the various stages of consciousness, you will first experience a new steadiness. You will no longer fluctuate between happiness and depression, between “can I” or”can’t I,” between “shall I” or “shan’t I.” Your will feel sure and steady.
Next, you will able to withdraw from the attraction of sensual desires. This does not mean you withdraw from the world; but you will be able to determine when and how to use your senses and when to pull back. You will be like the turtle, which knows how to withdraw in the face of a threat in order to protect itself. You will no longer be the slave physical desires.
Gradually, you will enjoy a new inner tranquillity. Imagine the icy surface of a lake in winter. It has no ripples. No sudden wind can disturb its calm surface, one can skate across the lake, free of the thought of drowning. Similarly, your equanimity will not be upset by the wind and waves of changing moods and circumstances.
Now you come to the state of inner radiation. At this point of awareness, your inner world is now as vivid to you as the outer world has previously appeared to be.
Finally, you reach the height of consciousness which is beyond all the previous levels of consciousness. This is the supreme moment of consummation with one’s Self.
How do you incorporate this meditation on all seven centers into your daily meditation routine? If you are in the country for the weekend or on vacation simply begin with your regular morning meditation and follow it with the procedure I have just given you.
However, during your normal workweek, it is better to practice your morning meditation as usual and reserve some time each evening to focus on just one of the centers. Concentrate on one center for a whole week and then move on to the next one the following week. After seven weeks, begin again with the first center. This way, there would be no time pressure on you. You would be relaxed and at ease.
As you gradually begin to experience these centers fully, you will be able to connect readily with the element or essence of each center: earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, and consciousness of Self. Being in tune with each aspect of your innate energy, you will be able to heal body and mind and maintain inner balance.
To understand, to experience, and to master each center takes patience and practice. It may take years. One day, you will be Master of your body, Master of your mind, and Master of your Self. The whole idea behind this meditation is to become this Master.
