The Physiology of the Psychic Body

Here I’m going to present a view of the psychic body, based on the teachings of Yoga.  This view of the psychic body as a system of chakras is heavily used in some Pagan paths and throughout Yoga.  (My previous article in this series was on the Agni Hotra ceremony.)

The chakra system corresponds with Yogic spiritual themes and provides a map of the mind and soul and their interface to the body

It should be noted that you do not need to believe in the system’s literal truth to be able to understand, use and benefit from it.  As with many aspects of Pagan practice that deal with the non-physical, the system can be seen as representing the interplay of energies in the psyche and worked with as such.

The Nadi System

A nadi is a psychic nerve.  Thus the nadi system is the psychic nervous system.

Nadis pervade our body and aura, just as nerves pervade the skin.  They are channels for the prana (psychic energy) which courses through every cell in our body and out into the world around us.  They are also the organ of our subtle senses, absorbing subtle energies from the world and people around us and providing us with intuition and impression.

The Vedas (the ancient Indian texts which are the basis of Yoga) say that there are an infinite number of nadis in the body.  (Well, actually they say there are seventy-two thousand, which is a number used to represent infinity in the Vedic texts.)  Thus these uncountable nerves are like infinite spokes, making up our aura.

The meeting points and junctions of nadis are called chakras.  Chakras transform and tune energy passing through them.  There are many chakras in the body but some are of such importance that they are often simply referred to as “the chakras”.

The Chakra System

The chakra system is an organisation of seven major chakras along key nadis.  These chakras provide and regulate the flow of prana through the body.  More subtly, these chakras influence the operation of the physical and mental being.

The root of the chakra system is the base chakra, Muladhara, which is associated with eating and sense of security.  The second chakra, Svadisthana, is associated with the world of our emotions, desires and sexuality.  The third chakra, Manipura, is associated with will, ego and power.  The fourth chakra, Anahata, is known as the heart chakra and is associated with love and healing.  The fifth chakra, Vishuddhi, is associated with speech, sounds and communication.  The sixth chakra, Ajna, is known as the third eye and is associated with belief and intuitive thought.  The seventh chakra, Sahashrara, is the top of the chakra system and gives us access to divine energy.

Sushumna and Kundalini

Shushumna is a powerful nadi which rises all the way along the chakra system from the base chakra to the crown chakra.  The current flowing along shushumna is regulated by the chakras.

Kundalini is a spiritual force seen as sitting coiled at the base of the spine.  Rising Kundalini energy is a sign of spiritual awakening.  The flow of energy along shushumna is easier if Ida and Pingala are free and in balance.

Ida and Pingala

Ida and Pingala are two nadis which form a caduceus-like pattern rising up the spine.  Ida begins on the left hand-side, and is associated with feminine and lunar energy.  Pingala begins on the right hand side and carries solar energy.  The balance between these two nadis is shown by the dilation of the left and right nostrils, which changes roughly once every two hours.  Thus we are on a constant cycle of solar, more active periods and lunar, more reflective periods, all day, every day.

A useful balancing exercise for Ida and Pingala is Alternate Nostril Breathing, which is properly known as nadi shodhana meaning “nadi cleanser”.

Balance

When working with the chakra system, the aim is balance and harmony.  A chakra without sufficient energy can ‘collapse’ and block the flow of energy.  Equally, chakras can become blocked and overcharged in different circumstances.  These imbalances in the chakras are expressed in our insecurities and problems in life (or rather our attitude toward them).  Bringing the chakra system into balance allows us to be happier, more rounded people.

As the concept of the chakras comes from Vedic origins, it is no surprise that Yoga provides many techniques which are relevant to chakra balancing work.  Mantra chanting can be used to charge the system or to stimulate specific chakras using single-syllable mantras known as bijas.  Hatha yoga postures could be useful for working on energy blockages which are associated with physical sensations or attitudes, particularly working on grounding work for Muladhara chakra.  The simple technique of meditation and visualisation can be used either directly on the chakra system or used with corresponding mental images and themes.  Mudra, hand gestures which affect the psychic nervous system, can be used.  Pranayama breathing exercises can have powerful influence on energy flows within the body and can be used to direct energy or to create charge in a certain part of the body. 

There are also a great variety of techniques which could be used in parallel with the chakra system.  Scrying the Elemental Planes is a Hermetic technique which has great correspondence with the three lower chakras, and I have personally found it to be very effective.  The similar technique of Pathworking could be used, focussing on the energies of each chakra.  Crystal healing can be worked on the chakra system, as well as dowsing and many other Pagan and New Age practices.  Feel free to adapt your own!