Subtle System

by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Inside every human being there is a network of nerves and sensory organs that interprets the outside physical world.At the same time, within us resides a subtle system of channels (nadis) and centers of energy (chakras) which look after our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual being. Each of the seven chakras has several spiritual qualities. These qualities are intact within us, and even though they might not always be manifest, they can never be destroyed.When the Kundalini is awakened, these qualities start manifesting spontaneously and express themselves in our life.Thus, through regular meditation, we become automatically very dynamic, creative, confident and at the same time very humble, loving and compassionate. It is a process which starts to develop by itself when the Kundalini rises and starts to nourish our chakras.

1. Mooladhara
2. Swadisthan
3. Nabhi
3a The Void
4. Anahat
5. Vishuddhi
6. Agnya
7. Sahastrara

MOOLADHARA CHAKRA

The First Chakra, the four petalled centre is called the Mooladhara & is situated below the triangular sacrum bone. This centre is placed outside the spine & on gross level corresponds to the pelvic plex us.
In the body the Mooladhara Chakra controls the excretory functions, as well as sexual activity, and exerts a general control on the sympathetic nervous system.Qualities: Innocence, wisdom, chastity, sense of direction, balance, auspiciousness, simplicity, joy, purity. Causes of Catch : Sexual excessiveness, tantric & occult practices. Mooladhara is for our innocence and one should know that innocence can never be destroyed. Too much thinking about & indulging in sex weakens this centre. Despite all arbitrary abandonment of natural laws, innocence , the power of Mooladhara, remains , in a sleeping or sick state which can be cured & normalised through Kundalini awakening.

Color	Orange
Element	Earth
Planet	Mars
Day	Tuesday
Stone	Coral
Quality	Purity; Wisdom; Inocence; Valor
Organs	Prostate Gland; Womb, Sex; Excretion
Symbol	Swastika

SWADISTHAN CHAKRA

The Second Chakra, the six petalled centre is called the Swadisthan and is situated in the abdomen. This centre corresponds to aortic plexus, which supplies us with energy of creativity & abstract thoughts.Physical Aspect : Kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, lower abdomen .Qualities : Creativity, pure attention, pure knowledge, inspiration, power of concentration, aesthetics & arts .Causes of Catch :Black magic, false gurus/knowledge, alcohol and drugs (LSD), excessive thinking and planning, bad eating habits, ego oriented life, domination .Too much thinking and futuristic planning weakens this centre & one develops very weak attention. Liver, which is the seat of attention is governed by this centre.When Kundalini awakens and open this centre in a person, that person becomes very creative, dynamic & spontaneous in all his activities.

Color	Yellow
Element	Fire
Planet	Mercury
Day	Wednesday
Stone	Amethyst
Quality	Creativity; Aesthetic; Abstract Thoths
Organs	Liver; Uterus; Pancreas; Sight
Symbol	David's star

NABHI CHAKRA

nabhi The Third Chakra, the ten petalled centre is called Nabhi & is situated behind the navel region. This centre corresponds to the Solar Plexus, which gives us the power to sustain things within ourselves.Physical aspect :Liver, stomach and intestines, spleen and pancreas. Qualities : Sense of generosity, complete satisfaction, peace ,contentment, righteousness (Dharma), inner sense of morality, evolution, sense of dignity, good host. Causes of Catch: Miserliness, bad eating habits , asceticism, alcohol, drugs, family/ household problems, dominating husband /wife, too much rushing around, worrying. This centre governs the function of digestion and assimilation & looks after the stomach, intestines & part of liver. The biological rhythm which is regulated by spleen is also controlled by Nabhi.This centre looks after the welfare & evolution in mankind. When Kundalini rises & pierces this centre in a seeker, he becomes satisfied from within & becomes extremely generous.

nabhi

Color	Green
Element	Water
Planet	Jupiter
Day	Thursday
Stone	Emrald
Quality	Evolution; Generosity; Rightneousness; Sustenance
Organs	Stomac; Spleen; Intestines; Liver; Taste
Symbol	Yin Yang

BHAVSAGAR - THE VOID - OCEAN OF ILLUSIONS

void Physical Aspect: Digestion. Qualities : Principle of mastery (Guru Principle), balanced life, stability. Causes of Catch: False gurus/ knowledge, fantasy, fanaticism, black magic.
Diseases : Habits, laziness, gross attachments. The Void, the Ocean of Illusion (Bhavasagara) surrounds the 2nd and 3rd chakras : the Swadisthan and Nabhi chakras. When the Kundalini is awakened the ten valencies (The Ten Commandments) are awakened within. The religion becomes innate, and our whole priorities change. All real religions are leading to one aim, to one goal. That goal is to achieve Self knowledge through our second birth.

void

Color	Green
Element	Water
Planet	Jupiter
Day	Thursday
Stone	Emrald
Quality	Gravity; The Ten Commandments; Righteousness; Sustenance
Organs	Stomac; Intestines; Digestion, Part of theLiver;

ANAHAT CHAKRA

nabhi The Fourth Chakra, the twelve petalled centre is called the Anahat and is placed behind the sternum bone in the Spinal cord. Physical Aspect : Looks after heart & lungs. Qualities : Creation/ nourishment of antibodies, compassion, pure love, complete sense of security, confidence, auspicious boundaries (Maryadas), joy of the spirit. Causes of Catch : Insecurity, motherhood/ fatherhood problems, fear, Hatha Yoga, atheism, no seeking, inconsiderate behavior.On the physical level the Heart Chakra (also called Anahata Chakra) controls our breathing, the action of the heart and the circulation of blood.When Kundalini pierces this centre, the person becomes extremely confident, secure, morally responsible & emotionally balanced personality. Such a person is very benevolent & loves humanity without any self interest involved & is dear to all.

anahat

Color	Ruby Red
Element	Air
Planet	Venus
Day	Friday
Stone	Ruby
Quality	Love; Security; Compassion; Benevolance
Organs	Heart; Lungs; Blood Pressure; Touch;
Symbol	Flame

VISHUDDHI CHAKRA

nabhi The Fifth Chakra, the sixteen petalled chakra is situated at the level of the throat, this center controls all our articulation and our communication, the movement of our hands and arms, our facial expression and our speech, as well as the senses of taste and smell. Physical Aspect :Throat, neck, mouth, teeth, face, nose. Qualities : Divine diplomacy, detachment, witness state, collective consciousness, self esteem, pure relationships, connection with the whole , Madhurya. Causes of Catch: Guilty feelings, feelings of superiority / inferiority, sarcasm, criticism, lack of witnessing. On the physical level it controls the functions of the Thyroid glands. Harsh speech, smoking and artificial behavior & guilty feeling blocks this centre.When Kundalini pierces this centre, the person becomes extremely truthful, tactful and sweet in communications & does not indulge in futile arguments. He becomes extremely diplomatic in handling situations without igniting the ego.

vish

Color	Blue
Element	Ether
Planet	Saturn
Day	Saturday
Stone	Sapphire
Quality	Communication, Truthful, Tactful, Politeness, Diplomacy
Organs	Mouth, Ears, Nose, Teeth, Tongue, Face, Throat, Speech
Symbol	Time Whell

AGHYA CHAKRA

nabhi The Sixth Chakra, the two petalled centre, is called the Agnya and is placed where the two optic nerves cross each other in the brain (Optic Chiasma). This centre caters to Pituitary & Pineal glands in the body which manifests the two institutions of ego & superego within us. Physical Aspect : Pineal and pituitary glands. Qualities : Forgiveness, humility, dissolves ego, conditionings, false ideas and misidentifications. Causes of Catch : Roving eyes, self-centeredness, hatred, lack of forgiveness, harm to self/ others , self pity, inability to forgive oneself / others, aggression, egoism, futurism. The Agnya Chakra sits behind the forehead, at the base of the brain, which it controls. When the Kundalini passes the Agnya Chakra, our mental activity ceases, silence and enlightenment takes place.

aghya

Color	White
Element	Light
Planet	Sun/Neptune
Day	Sunday
Stone	Diamond
Quality	Forgiveness
Organs	Optic Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Sight
Symbol	Cross

SAHASRTRARA CHAKRA

nabhi The Seventh Chakra ,the thousand petalled centre is known as the Sahastrara and is situated in the brain or limbic area. Physical aspect : Limbic area of the brain. Qualities: Integrates all the chakras, absolute perception of Reality on our Central Nervous system, thoughtless awareness, Niranand. Causes of Catch: Doubt in God, Atheism, anti-God activity. The Sahasrara Chakra is the lotus of a thousand petals whose physical expression is the thousand nerves distributed under the surface of the skull. It is the integration of all the lower chakras and their powers. Here takes place the integration and synthesis of all the worlds' religions. It is our spiritual destination.When Kundalini rises & pierces this centre, it awakens all the nerves thus enlightening every nerve centre – such a person is referred to as a realised soul or an enlightened soul. Kundalini further pierces the fontanelle area & opens a gateway into the cosmos & we experience this as cool breeze on the head. This is actualization of the union (Self Realization) with the all pervading power of Divine.