The Seven Centers of Spiritual Evolution in Indian Psychology

 The Seven Centers of Spiritual Evolution in Indian Psychology

 

In Indian psychology, it is believed that the human mind normally dwells in the relative plane, particularly at the grossest levels. However, Indian psychologists have identified seven entities located at different levels of the spinal column and brain that serve as the loci of the mind during different stages of spiritual evolution.

 

These seven centers are located at the base of the spinal column, the levels of the genitals, the naval, the heart, the throat, the eyebrows, and finally, the crown of the head. The spiritual evolution of man is marked by the shifting of the mind's center of activity from the lower to the higher of these centers. As the mind rises, the individual's spiritual potential also awakens, which is often referred to as the Kundalini or coiled-up energy.

 

In its dormant state, the Kundalini is located at the lowermost center of the spinal column, and it hides the higher nature of the individual from his or her own perception, as well as from the reality of which he or she is a part. At this stage, the mind is confined to the three lowermost centers of the spinal column, and its attention is limited to the gross objects of the physical plane that impinge on the five senses, as well as to intellectual and aesthetic apprehensions that have their basis in physical life.

 

At this stage, man feels a sense of reality only with regard to the gross world he sees around him, and his life is aimed at the pursuit of selfish interests and the gratification of sensuous appetites. All his energies are wasted by vain struggles outside.

 

However, spiritual life begins when man becomes sincerely dissatisfied with this type of life and starts to conserve his energies, instead of dissipating them. As the Kundalini awakens, the mind gradually shifts its focus to the higher centers of the spinal column, and the pursuit of spiritual growth becomes the main aim of life.

 

The Art of Living: Finding Joy and Happiness in Life

 

Every living creature desires happiness, and we pursue it in various ways, such as through money, power, or relationships. However, true happiness can be elusive, and some people even find joy in misery. So, how can one achieve genuine happiness?

 

The secret to happiness lies in expanding our perspective beyond ourselves and thinking about the well-being of others. Serving others and spreading joy is an instant source of happiness. Conversely, if we hold onto our happiness and refuse to share it, it diminishes. The Art of Living is an education in expanding our happiness to encompass the entire world as our family, as the Sanskrit proverb says, "Real worship is to create happiness in others."

 

We often think that we will be happy when we achieve certain milestones, such as going to college, finding a perfect partner, or having children. However, when we look at retirees, we see that they miss their younger years and long for them again. Our entire lives can be spent preparing to be happy in the future, but true happiness can only be found in the present moment.

 

There are two ways to approach life: thinking that we will be happy once we achieve what we desire or being happy no matter what happens. We tend to hold onto negative experiences and make them bigger than they are, even though life is 80% joy and only 20% misery. The three types of misery that prevent us from being completely happy are Parinama dukha, Tapa dukha, and Sanskar dukha.

 

Parinama dukha is the pain we experience when we hold onto memories of past pleasures and glories, which we can no longer enjoy in the present. Tapa dukha is the pain we experience from current negative situations such as anger, hate, or jealousy. Sanskar dukha is when we continue to suffer from misery even after the pain is gone because the impression of that memory still lingers. We must learn to let go of these impressions to find true happiness.

 

Identifying with external factors such as money, fame, or relationships can cause misery because they are impermanent. Even identifying with our own goodness can lead to negative emotions such as anger or hate towards others. The goal of yoga and spirituality is to prevent misery before it arises by recognizing the cause of our suffering. Enlightenment is living in the moment with joy, alertness, awareness, and compassion, like a child, feeling at home with everyone and everything. True happiness lies in being free from within and removing all barriers.

 

IF HE EXIST

 I drive joy there was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW :7th heaven moment of the week in ipl  Dc won by 7 wk,  Subhman gillno 7 got motm