Science and Spirituality
It has finally been scientifically proven that there are two unique levels of physical reality: the one we are familiar with (using the five senses) and a second one termed psychoenergetic science. This is a level of physical reality that can be significantly influenced by human intention. Stanford University professor and physicist William A. Tiller, PhD, is associated with this finding, namely that the expansion of traditional science to include human consciousness and human intention as capable of significantly affecting both the properties of materials (non-living and living) and what we call physical reality is possible. Einstein and quantum physics opened the door to this concept of creativity and transformation at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Are we on the cusp of a new scientific worldview that encompasses the growth of consciousness? We know we have many unrealized capabilities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to affect reality toward a common good, using a conscious power? It seems that up until now this has only been addressed spiritually, mainly through yoga/meditation, metaphysical practices, and energy healing.
The link between science and spirituality is definitely overdue and ripe for investigation. What does this have to do with the “almighty psoas?” Remembering the psoas connection from Parts I and II – the physical and the emotional – a definite relationship between brain chemistry and physical/emotional health has been proven. Knowing that the psoas major muscle is located within the solar plexus, how can this muscle not also be related to the spiritual chakras and their effect on the well-being and intent of the person? This is not as a transmitter of energy, however, but more as an “enabler” when it is in a non-contracted (free) state. The link between the health of the psoas and the chakra system will be presented with yoga asanas (postures) to enhance the process.
The Chakra System: The Cosmic Self
The cakras (original spelling) come from an ancient tradition, the word appearing in India a few thousand years ago at the time of an invasion by Indo-European peoples (Aryans). This became known as the Vedic period, when a cultural mixing took place throughout India over the following centuries. The chakra was symbolically shown as a ring of light, with a historical meaning “to bring in a new age.” Chakras are mentioned in the Vedas, the ancient Hindu text of knowledge.
Though a mystery from the past, we know the Sanskrit word chakra itself means “wheel,” as in the wheel of time, believed also to be a metaphor for the sun, therefore representing celestial balance. Yogic literature mentions the chakras as psychic centers of consciousness as early as 200 B.C. in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The chakras as energy centers became an integral part of Yoga philosophy through the Tantric tradition in the seventh century A.D., where integration of the many forces of the universe was emphasized. Yoga began to incorporate the whole being.
There are seven basic chakras (other minor ones in the extremities) that work together as a complete system, sometimes called the inner organs of the esoteric (obscure) body, and found along the spine. They intersect with the nadis (spinal energy channels) as well as the endocrine system and nerve plexi. One could call the chakras psychoenergetic centers; they link to the natural elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether, and their qualities help define human purpose. They are believed to receive, digest, distribute, and transmit life energy, and hence known as the seven roots of awakening. The psoas major intertwines the bottom three chakras.
The seven primary chakras are listed here, including the Sanskrit word for each; the sacred, ancient language of Sanskrit is revered as being designed for enlightenment, as are the chakras. The meaning and effects of the chakra system go way beyond what is indicated in this book, where energy flow and auric fields are best described by other experts such as Barbara Brennan and Cyndi Dale.
1. Root Chakra – Muladhara
foundation; primal needs; grounding; connected; security
color: red; planet: Saturn; element: earth; sense: smell
location: above the anus, base of the spine, pelvic floor
governs feet, legs, large intestine
animal: elephant; root sound: lam
Kundalini Shakti coils here, power of the divine feminine
2. Sacral Chakra – Svadhisthana
womb; emotional/sex flow; sweetness; pleasure; creativity
color: orange; planet: Pluto/Moon; element: water; sense: taste
location: front face of lower spine, pelvis, sacrum, ovaries, testes
governs fertility, lower back and hips, bladder, kidneys
animal: crocodile; root sound: vam
expansion of one’s own individuality
3. Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura
gut feelings, breath; warrior (courage); brilliant jewel; personal power
color: yellow; planet: Sun/Mars; element: fire; sense: sight
location: solar plexus, union of diaphragm, psoas, organs,
centered around the navel
governs digestion, metabolism, emotions, universality of life
animal: ram; root sound: ram
influences the immune, nervous, and muscular systems
4. Heart Chakra – Anahata
divine acceptance; love; relationships; passion; joy of life
color: green/pink; planet: Venus; element: air; sense: skin
location: upper chest, heart, lungs, thymus gland
governs upper back, psychic ability, some emotions, openness to life
animal: antelope; root sound: yam
engulfs the rhythm of the universe
5. Throat Chakra – Vishuddha
communication; self-expression; harmony; vibration; grace; dreams
color: sky blue; planet: Mercury/Jupiter; element: ether; sense: hearing
location: throat, neck, thyroid, ears, mouth
governs sound, the power of the voice, assimilation
animal: white elephant; root sound: ham
communicates inner truth to the world, ascends physical to spiritual
6. Brow Chakra – Ajna
third eye; intuition; concentration; conscience; devotion; neutrality
color: indigo/purple; planet: Neptune; element: light; sense: the mind
location: center of head between and above eyebrows, pituitary gland
governs creativity, imagination, understanding, rational dreaming
animal: black antelope; root sound: om
provides opportunity to see everything as sacred
7. Crown Chakra – Sahasrara
pure consciousness; spirituality; true wisdom; integration; bliss
color: white, also violet/gold; planet: Uranus/Ketu; beyond elements
location: top of the head, pineal gland, cerebral cortex
governs all functions of the body and mind, other chakras
symbol: thousand-petaled lotus (void)
Kundalini energy (Shakti) unites with male energy, (Shiva) to transcend into
the essence of all
This text will focus on the chakra relationship to the physical body, specifically the lower spine. As chakras of the subtle body are vitalized, so are the physical energies, especially those of the lower torso where the psoas lies.
One of the goals of a yoga practice is to free prana, defined as energy, the breath, the life force. Kundalini is this untapped prana found at the base of the spine, sometimes represented as a coiled snake. The root chakra is located here, as a grounding force that connects one to the earth energies. The psoas muscle interconnects this area, as well as the second and third chakras – the Sacral Chakra and Solar Plexus Chakra.
The seven basic chakras, or energy centers, are said to exist within the “subtle body” (non-physical), which overlies the physical body. Modern science has found that these areas correspond closely to the seven main nerve ganglia coming from the spinal column. The nerve centers are mentioned in Parts 1 and 2, and are directly related to the psoas through the lumbar plexus, as described at the end of Chapter 6.
When working with the chakras, one of the most important things to remember is that the system is a whole system, therefore they must be balanced, in harmony with one another. The same is true of the physical body.