Buddhist energy teachings.

[jonesboy]

From the Kalackra Tantra

As explained previously, in order to practice the stage of
completion, it is indispendable to understand the way in which the
channels, energies and drops arise. Within this presentation, one
should, by all means, have a clear understanding of the three
major channels: the central channel, uma, and on its right and left,
the roma and kyangma, respectively.

In the explanation of the stage of completion there are three
bodies: the gross, the subtle and the extremely subtle. Likewise,
one can speak of the gross, the subtle and the extremely subtle
minds. It is especially important to understand the nature of the
very subtle mind because, nowadays, many people say, 'There is
no afterlife; there is only this one life." Such an assertion is
founded upon the assumption that there is no subtle mind It is
true that the gross mind does not carry on after this life. But there
is also the very subtle mind. If one really understands the very
subtle mind and the very subtle energy, which is a very subtle form
of the life-sustaining energy, and their functioning, then one sees
that they have been with us since begtnningless lime and will carry
on without end. By understanding them, one sees the logical basis
for asserting both former and future lives. If future lives were not
to exist, there would not really be any reason to practice Dharma
at all. One could simply lead a hedonistic life.

A. THE ENERGY-CENTERS

There are different presentations of the energy-centers
(Skt.cakra; Tib. 'khor.lo). When one speaks of the four, they are:

1) the 'center of great bliss (Skt mahasukha-cakra; Tib.bde.
chen.'khor. lo) situated at the crown of the head;

2) the 'center of enjoyment' (Skt sambhoga-cakra; Tib. longs.
spyod.kyi.'khor.lo) at the throat;

3) the 'center of Dharma' (Skt. dharma cakra; Tib chos.kyi.
'khor.lo) at the heart;

4) the 'center of emanation' (Ski. nirmana cakra; Tib sprul.
pa'i 'khor lo) at the navel.
When presenting five energy centers, in addition to the above
four, one speaks of:

5) the 'bliss-guarding center' (Tib. gsang.gnas.bde skyong.
'khor.lo) which is located at the genital area

Sometimes, there is also a presentation of the six energy centers.

1) The Center of Great Bliss
The center of great bliss at the crown of the head is situated in the
area beneath the top of the skull and just above the brain The
width (of the center) is like a Japanese incense stick, about 1/8 of
an inch or so. It is multi-colored: white, green, red and black. Its
center is triangular in shape. At present, the central channel, uma,
is constricted by two side channels, the roma and the kyangma,
making a knot. These channels branch off into four and into eight,
and so forth, eventually making a total of 32 subsidiary or branch
channels branching off the center of great bliss. In appearance,
this center resembles an open umbrella held aloft.

2) The Center of Enjoyment
This center is situated at the throat, right at the Adam's apple. Its
color is red. The very center of the cakra is round. As above, the
central channel is constricted by the two side channels, making a
knot. The center of enjoyment has 16 branch channels, which
branch out like an inverted umbrella. Clearly keep in mind that
the previous center at the crown is like a right-side-up umbrella,
whereas this throat-center resembles an inverted umbrella. Visualize
them!

3) The Center of Dharma
The center of Dharma is situated at the heart, between the two
breasts, in the chest. It is white in color. The center of this cakra is
triangular in shape and is constricted three times, namely, there
are three knots made by the two parallel side channels. It has only
eight branch or subsidiary channels, which branch out like a
right-side-up umbrella.
Think this over carefully. Get it clearly in mind so you can
visualize it just as has been explained.

4) The Center of Emanation
This center is situated at the same height as the navel itself Like
the one on the crown, the emanation center is multicolored. Its
center is round, while its 64 subsidiary channels branch out like an
inverted umbrella.
So. the umbrella-like center at the navel are facing each other,
just as the ones at the crown and the throat are facing each other.

5) The Bliss-Guarding Center
This center is situated at the genital area or, more precisely, at the
very base or the very root of the genitals. Its center is triangular in
shape and it is red in color. It has 32 subsidiary channels The
energy-center itself is like a right-side-up umbrella.'
One should understand that all of these centers are pierced
through the middle by the central channel, which acts as an axis for
ali them, as the trunk of a tree is the axis for its branches.

[jonesboy]

B. THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAMES OF THE ENERGY CENTERS

It will also be helpful to understand why these five centers are
called by their respective names:

1) Because the foundation of bliss, the white bodhicitta, abides
principally at the crown, this center is callcd the ccntcr of
great bliss.'

2) The enjoyment center at the throat is so callcd because this is
the place where one tastes the six kinds of tastes: sour, sweet,
bitter, salty, astringent and pungent.

3) The chief means, the chief instrument for the practice of
Dharma is the mind, which has its main abode at the heart,
specifically at the indestructible drop which comes from
one's parents [see p. 107]. It is for this reason that the
heart-center is called the 'center of Dharma."

4) The basis of the emanation of great bliss is the fire of the
psychic heat (Tib.gtum.mo'i.me), the turn.mo fire, the
principal abode of which is situated at the navel. Therefore,
this navel center is called the emanation center.'

5) The bliss-guarding center at the genitals is very closely
related to the four types of joy [see p. 12] involving the
movement of the bodhicitta in forward and reverse orders.
Specifically, the spontaneous joy (Tib.lhan.skyes.kyi. dga-
'.ba) is experienced when the bodhicitta reaches the very tip
of the genital organ. Because it is so instrumental or critical
to these various types of joy. this center is callcd the
'bliss-guarding center."

It is important to understand well the etymology of the
names of the five centers, as well as the previous explanation
of the various types of energies or winds and drops, in order
to use them in meditation. Remember especially the five
principal energies: the life-sustaining energy, the downwardclearing
energy, the fire-accompanying energy, the upwardmoving
energy, and the pervasive energy.